The Rock Island Argus., 1878-08-20

on, and has shown itself more openly and
demonstratively as the fruits of Hayes &C
ton become more open andapparent. Even
men like Foster. q Congressman from
Hayes own state, and life long personal
and political friend, now expresses regret
for Mr.. Hayes so called southern policy
and declares it an utter failure. Judging
from the general expressions OF republican
conventions and the utterances of repub-
Iican leaders it is to become the policy Of
the republican party, and 50 far as posi-
bic the issue, to discard the idea of recon
cilliation, and to build up solid north as
an offset to what is termed solid south.
The policy of the administration is to be
ignored, and if necessary openly opposed.
to bring the republican party to this atti-
tude. The first and most important move
is to capture the house of representatives
and obtain, if possible, working and ac-
tive republican majority. 1t is very clear
ly seen that unless they can accomplish
this their party is doomed to be remanded
to the back ground and become the minor
ity party of the nation for an indefinite
time to come. A democratic house IN the
next congress means the election of DEM
cratic president in 1880 10 the event
of there being no popular choice by the
people. The tone of the republican party
and of its press generally makes it un-
mistakably apparent that they realize this
falls contest as settling to a certainty the
fate of the party in case Of failure to re-
gain supremacy in the house, the almost
positive certainty that if unsuccessful
they enter upon the presidential contest
of 1880 under circumstances about equiv
alent to defeat.
1t is the knowledge of these facts which
render them so bitter against Hayes, and
which will lead them to extraordinary ex
ertions to retrieve their situation in the
face vf an administration of their OWL
fraudulent make.
The democratic party should not only
be fully aware Of the true condition, bu
fully awake to the issues involved, anc
| fully alive to the magnitude of the Interest,"
at stake. Whatever may have been pos
sible in the later days of Grants admin
istration, that condition of affairs ha
wholly passed away. 1t may hav'
been intended only as an experimen
to see if a southern republican part!
could not be bnilt up by inducing demo
Gratis to support Hayes and his policy il
return for administrative favors to certain
democrats, but if such were the design i
has failed to produce the intended result
| And it may be further said that even witt
a republican triumph this fall IN gaining
a majority of congressman the fedora
domination of carpet bag rule in tn
south which prevailed under Grant CA
never again be repeated.
The sentiment of the country is unmis
Itably adverse to returning to semi-mili
tary administration of state governments
The past has become irrevocable, and tn
future must be guided by the requirement
of its own times. 1T is none the less i'm
portant that democrats should continue j
the ascendency in the House,
The democracy of this congressions
district should bestir themselves to activit
and energetic work. Under the circun
stances of the present contest in this di,
trict tho opportunities of the democrat
are such as have not existed since the di
trict was formed-let democrats see to
that their candidate is elected.