The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-01
Ghe 9ailg Argns>
CONTINUED from second page

frivolousness of spirit that is sometimes
shown upon such occasions 1t is because
we all come together at this time. mad,
earnest ard thoughtful by the condition 81
the country, and by the great problems
we have got to deal with. We hear it FIRE.
quently said that this is day of deyel.
opment, that we are discovering. now
from time to time. great malfeasance on
the part OF the different depart-
ments of the government When we lave
been 10 power, aud wherever we have been
in power, we have come to look at these
developments and these exposures as af.
fording hope that we are to have bet
ter future. 1t is not merely the develop
ment of fraud and wrong doing. We have
known these things for ten years. 1t is
not that there has been something discoy
cred that was covered before 1t is because
for the last ten years the American people
did not care to hear the proofs of wrong
doing. 1t means that all of US have been
stultifed by greed for gold. by unhealthy
speculation, by desire to AVOID honest
labor, and have forgotten the great princi-
pies that lie at the foundation of all good
government, and that the time has con. e
for US to cultivate the virtues of simplicity.
honesty, economy and patriotism. 1t is
that that makes a people; not political
patronage, but the going back to the sim
pie virtues OF our forefathers. applause. J
The development which gives me the hope
which animates me as speak is devel-
opmcnt that the American people have
had the scales fall from their eyes-their
ewes are opened, and we are now to have a
renewal OF integrity, patriotism and virtue
before which fraud and corruption will fade
out of sight. (Applause) The develop
ment is that which | see before me in the
faces OF this audience, that laying all aside
has come together to day in thoughtful.
earnest spirit to save our country and to
make it great and glorious commonwealth.
Perhaps it is not profitable that we
should dwell too much upon the exposures
that have been made upon the part Of our
political opponents. While it is our duty
to expose wrong, whether committed bv
our own friends or by those from whom We
differ. and while | respect the labors of
those who have been engaged in such de-
yelopments, we are to take care that we do
not fall into another error. This great
Democratic party does not propose to re-
gain power simply because its opponents
are unworthy, but because we are fit to
exercise it. (Applause) We mean, in
common with them, to punish all WRONG
doers, and we invoke them to 90 with us in
this effort; but we propose to enter into a
contest OF higher and more glorious
character still, and we say to our political
opponents, We will forget the past if Won
VIII only JOIN with US in the great issue
that we make now-which party shall
a Inha L "a
stand upon the highest plane of patriot
ism? Which party shall outstep the
other IN the great and noble effort to re
store, to stand up aud make our country
glorious? (Applaase)
Now, what is 1t brings this audience here
today? Why is it that men who have not
always attended our conventions have left
their homes ard have come here on an oc
caglon when there are not the ordinary in
tiuences at work? We are not now abort
to elect ticket. We do not have, as we
ordinarily have at our conventions, choice
Of men to put into offices of honor and
prJht. Men are not here seeking positions
OF honor. You come here for purpose
higher, broader and more general
than this, and | think | can
speak for each one of you when | say that
you were impelled to leave your homes be-
cause you felt that there was a condition
of public affairs which made it your duty
as good citizens to come out upon this
occasion. lAppianse)
am proud OF the state to which [ be-
long. L am proud as a New Yorker that
this state led the whole column of Demo- |
cratic attack upon wrong doing and corrun-
ton, whether the blow fell upon friends |
or enemies. tApplause) | am proud |
that the governor ct our state stands AS |
the foremost champion Of this spirit of |
reform. We do not hear to day the ordi |
nary considerations which are advanced in |
regard to candidates. The question is no
longer question of popularity or unponu- |
larlty. That which is on the mind of
every man before me is this: When 7 90 |
down to the next contest can | saw of NV
He has done work for re- |
form, anG represent more than a man
| represent the principle of honesty
I Applause We throw out this challenge
to the Republican party: I'VE intend SO
Tar as we can to lay bare all that has been
done wrong IN our own ranks, We expect |
YOU to Unite with us" believe that the
Republican party, in its make up, in the |
great body Of its organization, i as honest |
as our own, but its members Lave held |
that have proved. more strongly |
than the wisdom Of our fathers could have
proved II, that that government has ont
stepped its limits; that that government
which, from great central point, under
takes TO interfere with local affairs that that
government which opens the door of the
treasury to 10000 schemes Of fraud cam
nC survive.
In conclusion, | say once more to the |
Democratic party and to our Republican
Il lends, we propose to enter into this con
test, not for the purpose of showing which
party is the most ignoble, not merely for
the purpose of bringing discredit upon
them, not with the view of gaining a vic
tory because they have zone wrong-I
scorn such a victory on the part of the
Dem ocratic party but we intend to win
THIS victory because we mean to show that
we are more fit to hold power; we
have the better claim, not because YOU are
so bad, but because We have the positive
virtues to enable US to carry Oh this gov
ernment, and until we do show that. [, for
one, pray to God that we may never come
into power. 1t is because | believe that
now we have this revival of public morality |
aud this refreshing of the purer sentiments
OF the people, and an enlarged intelligence
with regard to the evils of bad government.
that stand before you at this moment.
buoCa1 nm with tba IL r.