The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-23

purified by the nomination of such a man
as Senator Bayard at St. Louis. What
ever party hacks may fancy, the decent
people of the United States of all parties
take no pleasure in political contests which
are not conducted by leaders of high and
creditable character on both sides. The
frank recognition which has been accorded
by right. minded men, of the most diverse
opinions in politics, to the reform policy
of Governor Tilden in New York, is
striking illustration of this; and it is
indubitable that in recommending the
nomination of Governor Iildeu to the
convention at st. Louis, the Democratic
party New York simply affirmed
their convictions that the need of
the National Democracy and OF the
country at this time is a presidential
nomination at st. Louis which shall
meet the demand of the American people
for new order of men and for new
methods in the administration of our
national affairs.
Whether the Graphic is right or wrong
about Mr.. Belmont, it must be admitted
that Senator Bayard would make a noble
centennial candidate. His name, like that
of the Adamses, is circled with revolution
airy memories. The men of his blood,
from him who served so CALAMITY at
Trenton to him who fell foremost fighting
at Fredericksburg, have been fortunate
not only in the possession of ZEAL purity
and ability, but in their opportunities
for making patriotic use of these quail
ties. For generations they have been con-
spicuous in the public service, and conspicu-
GUS with honor There is charm in his
presence which men of all conditions gladly
recognize. His manly bearing, his frank
manner, his modest firmness in the asser
ton of his convictions, his intense sympathy
in everything that is honorable and high
minded, his scorn as intense of all thing:
mean and base, easily win confidence anC
love. Yet, with all his kindly and socia
graces of character, Senator Bayard hal
won a Roman reputation in public life fo
aggressive courage, patient industry, un
finching determination-all the qualities
10 short, which make man respected il
public bodies and command the highes
forms of political success. No member o
the senate has been so persistent in pres
sing government reform. The merchant:
of New York owe to him thei
deliverance from the worst abomin
tons of the ''moiety" and thu
books and papers" laws. With the hell
Of Senator Casserly, of California, he be
gan and carried through custom house re
form in the face of hostile congress anC
a hostile president, till he made the who'll
nation familiar with his vigor, perspicacity
and political perseverance. In his on
slaught on the district of Columbia ring
during the present session, he hewed hi
way straight to victory through all tn
false pretenses and sham arguments tina
were set up 10 its defense. His career re
inforces the pledge given by his character
of thorough honesty and effective abilit
in the conduct of national affairs SHOULD
the management of national affairs bt
given into his hands. In his fidelity t
the old Democratic doctrine of a sount
currency he has never taltered for an in
slant His convictions on fnancia
questions were firmly rooted in lesson
learned long ago and perfectly understood
He was true to the traditions of tn
Democracy, when the Republicans VIII
are now palavering most noisily about
gold basis" were brewing and concoctin
that fatal nostrum of an irredeemabl
paper currency under the influence O
which our industries, stimulated for
while as by some develish dram, flOurishe
, in :ank, Cnwholesome growth, only a
, last to fall PROSTATE in their actut
, paralysis and decay. He has since bee
as true to the traditions of Democracy i
urging a return to the true standard {
value. Who can have forgotten the mani
: intrepidity with which he last year riske
his personal prestige at the south by b
: bold. outspoken denunciation of all vii
/. theories of relief through initiation or r.
: pudiation, while Pig Iron Kelley WI
preaching there his gospel of dishono1
=. The election of such a man would be itse
q u step toward specie payment. In b
, labors Tor restricting the functions of go
n eminent, lessening public expenditure
: decreasing the number of public office
i and doing away with temptations to Il
e abuse of power for party purposes, he hi
~ upheld the strlctest construction OF Il
= powers of government, not through prlC
y in his own knowledge OF constitutional la
4 or delight in the hair splitting subtletl
e of constitutional Interpretation, but
cause he feels the immense practical vail
of strict construction as means OF lin
- ing the sources OF mere party iDtuen
10 and the opportunities tor public plunde
Il Above all, he has been the tearie
= champion of civil authority against militia
: = ursurpation; the steadfast opponent
- executive violence in the south, the fat
=, full ally of the southern states in the
:" struggle upward out Of the anarchy wifi
succeeded the war. into citizenship al
r. equality. in a word, his record is o
~ which must give even the Advise
y. Council assurance of a man equal to Il
= nations emergency, if the advisory cou
Q Gil mean reform when they talk about
n aud are ready to give their cordial {
!. oneration to the Democratic party Of d