The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-07
A. oRENDoRFF, Secretary,
Springfield, Illinois

Thorough organization in the democratic
party of this State is one of the necessities
of the present campaign. The State
Register says the present State Committee
have gone at work with business like sa |
gacity for the purpose of thoroughly or
ganiLing the party and putting it in condi-
ton to win. We are glad to receive this
information. Heretofore the committees
have not in all cases buckled down to work |
in this determined spirit, 1t is not ex-
pected the State committee will put itself
in direct communication with every district
and township subcommittee or auxiliary
of the County Committees, but it is ex-
pected they will thoroughly organize
their connection with County and Congress
sional Committees, and that they will take
occasion to become fully acquainted with
the necessities and the probabilities of
success in all portions OF the State. In
what particular manner this shall be done
it is not our province to say, but in general
terms we may suggest that an active and
cordial interchange of opinions and plans
among committees would lead to a closer
understanding Of what is going on and a
clearer view of what any particular locality
necessarily requires. The position of
committeeman, when faithfully and indus
triously occupied, is not sinecure, and
during the time OF ardent political con-
tests requires activity, vigilance, and un-
renting hard work. There should be
unity Of purpose, clear common under
standing of the objective points aimed at,
and thoroughly posted head quarters.
A political contest, like any other, is sell
dom won by hap hazard when the num-
bers on each side are anywhere near ap-
proximatively equal. In contests between
comparatively equal numbers the best or
ganized and best directed party is toler-
ably sure to win.
These same remarks will apply with
equal force to the action of county com
mittee IN its relation to the township and
subcommittee. The county committee
cannot rest supinely on the honor of its
appointment and leave the actual work to
local committees and expect that it will
be done enthusiastically and thoroughly.
The democracy have placed you at the
head of their affairs, for the time being.
in expectation that you will be-
stir yourselves with energy and
encourage and animate voters through
olt the county to take hold and work.
There ought to be an active andinAuential
committee at every voting precinct in the
county, aud it ought to be in existence and
laying the foundations for solid work even
at the present time One of the essential
things in securing success is to get out the
voters, and in knowing that nothing has
been lost through indifference or neglect.
Equally important is it to meet the voters
at frequent intervals, to awaken general
neighborhood interest, and if possible In
stitute clubs OF have neighborhood meet
ings for consideration aud discussion of
passing events and the necessities of that
locality. Simply because party has here
tofore been in a minority in a certain
town, or in the county, is no valid reason
for renting all reasonable exertions to
win success. If eternal vigilance is the
price of liberty, so also thorough active
and aggressive organization and continuous
unfagging work are the only means which
minorities possesses of increasing their
strength and winning victories. Organize
your committees, organize in such manner
as will enable you to do the most effective
labor, organize for a searching and unre
uniting canvass, and there will be less in.
difference and more enthusiasm, less unbe.
lief in the chances of success and thousand
fold better assurance on the part OF the
candidates to exert themselves to the ut
most to prove worthy of being your nomi
ness Confidence begets confidence, and
aliYely feeling Of assured good will and
personal exertion on the part of the voters
themselves induces a corresponding
activity and hopeful determination ON tn,
part OF candidates and committeeman. Tn,
influence 10 such cases is reflex, it il
powerful for solid strength and unyieldin,
impulse. The present time is a peculiarl,
favorable time for the hopes and prospect
of the democracy. 1t is in the air, as tn
expression il, "a belief 10 victory is hal
the battle. 1t nerves and strengthen
every mans hand.it encourages and beget
hopes and expectations which presag
coming results. Organize, democrats
organize and work. There is the secret q
success.