The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-09-11

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Let no democrat be deceived. 10 this
state the democratic party has entered
upon the contest to gain victories for it
self. The state convention resolutely, and
very properly, refused to make terms or
to form coalitions with any other political
party. 1t stands distinctively ana square
ly upon its own basis and calls upon all
who claim to be democrats, or who desire
the success of the party, 20 stand forth |
openly aud unequivocally as its adher-
rents and positive supporters. Upon
topics Of minor Importance aud not speci-
6cally in issue between the party and its
opponents the democracy has always al
lowed reasonable latitude of action and in
diYidual differences of opinion, but it calls
for the united and determined support Of
all its members in regard to the great and
Fundamental principles Of the party
Questions of policy and local issues not
subyersive Of the interests nor in contra
venIion Of the general sentiments Of the
party often exist, which may be safely
tolerated aud left free to be dealt
with rs occasion or circumstances re-
quire. But in general contest
INVOLVING the life and success Of the
party and when the supremacy of demo-
cratic principles is at stake, ell minor con-
siderations are necessarily subordiuated to
the general welfare and the superior inter-
ests involved. In times of adversely as
we'll in the palmy days Of prosperity the
democratic party has always openly pro-
claimed it's principles. aud has had no
hidden or Interior purposes concealed from
the people, The democratic platform in
this state was given forth at an early day.
10 the main it represents the sentiments Of
the entire party, and in such particulars as
some diversity of opinion may exist it
doubtless represents the views of the ma
lority. The financial questions Of the day
perhaps.more perplexiug and in details
have produced greater coutrariety of views
than any others expressed in the platform,
and yet we are confident there is not a
democrat in the state who is not in favor
of honest money and financial system
based upon the legitimate powers and un-
doubted rights of constitutional authority.
There are no differences of opinions among
democrats in regard 10 this subject which
cannot be more satisfactorily adjusted
among themselves than they can be by Civ
ing aid and couDtenance to any other party
For this reason therefore "gTeenbackers"
and hard money" advocates can cordially
act together as against all others, and can
be earnest and united ia support of the
democratic state ticket.
Considering the mischievous meddling
with the currency and the various expert
merits aud unlawful legislation in regard
to it by republican congresses for sixteen
years, and the unparalleled embarrass-
ments which have resulted from their
financial management, it is not at all sur
prisiDg that citizens Of all parties are I'M
usually sensitive in regard to finance and
keenly alive to the merits of any public
measures which propose to afford general
relief The country is suffering as never
before within the memory of the present
generation, and possibly in the whole his
tory Of the nation, from the effects of at
least Eve years Of unparalleled depression,
chargeable for the most part to the neg
lect or the wilful bad legislation of the re-
publican party. The result is seen in
hard times throughout the whole country.
Business Of all kinds, even that which has
struggled along and maintained an ex-
istence, has been greatly paraIyzed; many
productive industries have entirely
stopped; larger number of merchants,
manufacturers, and business men have
failed than ever before, while at least
three-fourths of q million of the laboring
class are unemployed, and an equal num-
Der are living on half work or greatly re-
duced wages. The democratic party rec
ognizes this condition of affairs and has
pledged itself to labor for the removal of
the causes producing it,
Among the essential needs of the couu-
try is a revival of trade aud commerce, an
increased demand for the products Of the
various industries of the country, aud q
repeal of the inquitous tariff which imposes
burden of imposts upon the laborine
millions who are the ultimate consumers.
The democratic party has never ceased to
oppose the republican party in its schemes
of legislation for the preponderating, OF
exclusive, benefit of capital at the expense
of manual labor and of all enterprises and
industrial pursuits carried Oh with small
limited means. 1t is, and always hat
been' loyalty true TO that great and ca7di
nal principle Of all good government, equa
and exact justice to all-not only equaIitS