The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-02
rhn namocratic Ticket.

ton. so far as concerns this county, is now
made up and placed before the people. 1t
is not unfrequeutly difficult task to select
candidates who viii make the best can
vass. Personal preferences, and occasion
ally personal preudices, have large inhu-
ence in nominating conventions, and the
solid strength of the ticket rs a whole, and
its probable success taken collectively is
at times weakened or wholly sacrificed
for the benefit of one or two persons on
the ticket. The relative strength and po-
sition Of parties has also something to do
with the selection Of candidates. The
party in majority is necessarily obliged to
be guided by policy Of conCilIiation to the
extent at least of net creating open
division 10 its ranks, or pro-
ducing such dissatisfaction that
its majority will be lost through votes
quietly cast for the opposition. On the
other hand. as general rule. the minority
can assume much more aggressive and
advanced position with little danger OF
loss by detection. The business of a ma-
iority party is to hold its majority, while
the minority should avail themselves OF
every weakness shown by their opponents
TO improve their own strength. When
the ticket OF the majority party is weak |
in the elements of popularity, or composed
Of men VIGOROUSLY unfit for ofice,or whose
personal characteristics are at variance
with the general sentiment Of the times, it
certainly is a wise, prudent, and safe
policy for the minority to carefully con-
slider the mistakes and ill-timed proceed
ings Of their opponents and to place them
selves more fully 10 accord with public
sentiment and the demands of the people.
lu any event, and especially when
the majority have seriously prejudiced
their cause by an arbitrary and
unpaiatable nomination, by forcing the
candidacy Of one or more men against the
wishes and protests OF respectable num-
Der of their own party, and creating there
by feelings of indifference if not actual re-
volt, the minority would be deeply at fault
If they failed to nominate their best and
most acceptable men. In order to secure
majority iu this county, and in this con.
gressional and legislative district, THT
ARGUS has constantly urged the lmpor-
lance, aye more, the absolute necessity,
of nominating only such men as were gen
orally felt aud known TO be persons o
character and worth, and in whose integri
ty and ability the people could place i'm
plicit confidence. Such ticket is tn
democratic ticket now in the field, Flo
state, congress, legislative, and county off
GERS, the list throughout is made up o
strong, able, and wholly reliable men
Each and all stand firmly, positively, an,
uncompromisingly upon the platform Q
general democratic principles. in thi
county the men who have been chosen t
constitute the ticket are men against who's
private lives no reproach can be uttered
and whose fitness for the positions t
which they are named not eve
the most ultra of their oppC
uents will seriously pretend TO deny
The democracy of the county have acte
with great prudence, with great unan
nifty, and among the large number VII
are amply qualified for positions Of publ
trust they have selected as wisely an
appropriately as the occasion demande
and the interests of the party required.
Our candidates for congress, for sta
senator, aud for representative, are me
Of strong intellectual abilities, of marke
force and character. Their demOcrac
and their attachment TO the principles
civil and constitutional liberty are beyOr
peradventure Of doubt. Their selectiC
has been made without reference to ia
tions or ''isms" of whatever nature or kin
but simply as representative men, Undue
with the principles of democracy, alive
its needs and watchful for its interes
and whose election would be an honor
the democratic party and in the true
terests Of the great body of the peoI
themselves. Individual preferences alwa
exist, and in the choice of candidat
have frequently undue weight, but in t
present instance the ticket is unusua
strong, everywhere acceptable and warm
supported, while at the same time there
undoubtedly less Of personal preferen
less of the Objectionable marks of mt
party organization thanis often to be four
There has been a commendable desire
the part of all to consult, and to yield
obstacles to secure harmony and an un,
jectiOnable ticket.
Such results have been secured. I
candidates are before the people. I'll
are one and all worthy of confidence, T
pect, and support. They are true and
liable democrats They are men Of g,
natural abilities, of large attachments,
liberal and enlightened views upon
questions of national state, or local qu
tons of public policy--in short, men
whom all classes of people can repose
confidence as to their reliability and tru
ness to act intelligently and judiAousl
the discharge Of public duties, and U
questions which in any way affect the
terests of the people,