The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-15
Chr Gully Arens,
Continued from second page.

| kCenunued from second page
to that communication. 1t may, however,
| be permitted to me to say that my nom
NATION was not mere personal prefer
enee between citizens and statesmen of this
republic, who might very well have been
chosen for so distinguished an honor and
for so august a duty. 1t was rather a
declaration of that illustrious body in
whose behalf you speak in favor of ad-
mlnistratiye reform with which events
mad associated NE in the public mind.
he strength, the universally, and the
efficiency Of the demand for administrative
reform IN all government. and especially in
the administration of the federal govern
ment, with which the Democratic masses
everywhere were instinct, has led to a
series OF surprises in the popular assem-
oiages and perhaps in the convention it
sell. Ii would be unnatural, gentlemen. IT
popular movement SO genuine and so
powerful should stop with $500, 900 Dem
oerats; that it should not extend by con-
taglon to that large mass of independent
voters who stand between parties in our
country and even TO the moderate portion
OF the party under whose administration
the evils to be corrected have grown up.
Ana perhaps IN what we have witnessed
there may be an augury is respect to what
We may witness IN the election about to
take place throughout our country; at least
let Us hope SO and believe so.
am not without experience OF the
diflculty OF the labor Of efecting admins
tratiye reform when it requires revolu-
ton IN policies and in measures long
established IN government If L were 10
Judge by the year and half during which
L have been in the state government, |
would say that the routine duties Of the
trust L have had imposed upon me are a
t small burden compared with that created
= by the attempt to change the policy OF the
government of which | have been the ex-
ecutive head. Especially is this so where
the reform is to be worked out with more
Or less Of cooperation of public officers
who either have been tainted with the
evils TO be redressed, or who have been
incapacitated BY the habit of federation oil
the wrongs to be corrected, and to which
they have been consenting witnesses. |
therefore-if your choice should be ratified
by the people at the election-should
enter upon the great duties which would
fall upon me, not as holiday recreation,
> but very much in that spirit Of consecra
: ton in which the soldier enters battle
Applause.
But let US believe. as I do believe, that
! We now see the dawn of better day fol-
our country, and that difficult as is the
work to which the Democratic party. with
many allies and former members Of othel
parties, had addressed itself the Republic
IS sure to be renovated; it is to live in al
the future and to be transmitted to sue
ceeding generations as Jefferson contribu
ted to form 1t in his day, and as it has beer
ever since, until recent period, a bless
ing to the whole people aud a hope to al
! mankind. Applause
Gentlemen, thank you for the very
kind terms in which you have made your
communication, and | extend to you. col
lectively and individually, most cordia
greeting. Applause.
Upon the conclusion Of his remarks, Gcv
Tilden shook hands with Gen. McClernand
J Mr.. Murphy, and others Of the committe,
and all were invited to a collation. that haC
been prepared for the occasion. Til,
: members Of the committee and othe
friends Of the governor present gathered
around him to express their congratula
tons ana assure him Of their confidence
in his election next fall.