The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-02-01
Friday. February ]. 1873
1.-THE Silver League


further, that it aims not only to remonetize
silver, but also to repeal the resumption
act. With mathematical precision it is
enabled to state that ''of the l78 repre-
sentatives who voted for the Mathews res
olution, III are members of the Silver
League" Such an alarming display OF
figures, presenting a dangerous fact
with automatic certainty, IS OF itself q
most unpleasant and startling announce
ment; but when it superadds to such an
effective cause the additionali statement
that the numbers thus given indicate the
extreme lengths to which the enemies of
a sound and healthy financial policy will
go in order to carry their point" the fear
ful looking for Of judgment to come is as
portentous of impending evils as the warn
ings of the Hebrew prophets, or the utter
ances of the Delphic Oracle. Lamentable
as is the deep significance of III out of
IFS, Numerically displayed for easy
lessons to new begiuners,) the symbolism
is but the positive degree to the superlative
of calamity in the mournful admission that
here we have democrats and republicans
meeting Sin secret caucus, and making
pledges to each other, and devising schemes
to carry out the points they aim at, az a
manner subverSiUe of all party allegiance
and discipline" In the great and sacred
name of party, is this possible Such an
unheard Of thing as secret party caucus
making pledges and devising schemes,
nearly takes away ones breath. No
wonder our cotemporary's amazement and
indignation is beyond control. andiit adds
with most righteous severity the unanswer-
able observation, that indeed it may we'll
be asked if they" (the members of the
Silver Leaguel ARE not actually prepared"
or forsooth! preparing, to sunder their
old party relations entirely" Astound-
ing and improbable as such an
undertaking certainly is, to be forewarned
is to be forearmed, and after the unmis-
taxable figures and the explicit warning
which the public have now had, it is no
fault of the faithful party henchman if its
party goes to-the bad.
That they (the Silver League) are
very much in earnest is shown in the re-
marks made aud projects mooted for the
purpose of getting the people more thor
oughly familiarized with their ideas, says
che alarmed but ever-constant friend of
the good old party-therefore the greater
danger. But the people will still bear in
mind that alarming as the prospect is,
these Silver Leagueites are endeavoring to
tamiliarize them with their ideas, aud Sc
doing, their efforts are in agreeable con
trast to the action of those who demone-
tized silver, and we're particularly pains
taking in not familiarizing the people will
their ideas.
Our furried and amazed cotemporar,
whose fears have been so cruelty aroused
and who sees the spectre of demoralized
djsorganized, sundered, and discordau
party harrassed and tormented by bein
brought face to face with vital and Twin
issues, no doubt feels the weighty respon
sibiities which attach to to It's venerabI
years and standing; and the consciousness
that large numbers of those to whom it ha
kindly afforded the ministrations of a pur
and unadulterated party faith for seve
years or more have now gone after til
lights aud teachings of the silver men,
one of the misfortunes of playing the Aut
ocrat with dissolving views in the distance
1t may however be some comfort, and "
feel kindly disposed in pointing it out,
know that the Union has now done i
full duty to the party, and if it shou
chance to follow the majority of its form
supporters and change to the silver side
the question it would be more truly par
organ, and more in accord with vast IN;
Jorlty OF its patrons. If its editors W
refer to their scriptural readingsand refre
their memories, they will call to mind tn
certain person who made shrines for Da
became camorous at the progress of n;
doctrine and endeavored to exile the mu
titude against it by representing the dang
to the Craft, but when the people and t
town authorities had become familariz
withhis ideas" he was reminded of the da
ger of his being called to answer for the da,
uproar and to give an account of his pl
ceedings, and thereupon he and his crov
quietly departed and SAID less about I
danger TO the old party.
Some one Of the ancient Philosophers c
actly hit the popular chord in his day VIII
he remarked with great dignity and sole
nifty, that whatever was proper diet for t
lovely goose was equally proper and NOT
shlng to the venerable gander. III
Silver Leaguers and ali other advocat
Of the Bland Silver bill have been d.
advised that if they persist 10 familiarizi
the people with their ideas, and continue
attempt to pass the Bland bill, somethi
startling may happen pretty soon in {
money market.O course the Opponents
RECOMMENDATION of Silver hold no sec
caucuses-there are no meetings of banke
Insurance Presidents, OF capitalists, to
wise means tor carrying out the things Il
alm et;-hut Tor all that, there seems TO
great unanimity 10 their action and n Of,
ing harmony OF sentiment and expressio,
endeavoring to create public opinion. apc
coerce congressman with threats and all {
or party whips and appliances. In this
ton we quote the language the Chic
Times, confessedly Inferior in weight
II