The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-10-03
True Position of the Democracy in
THIS County.
A. ORENDORFF, Secretary,
Springfield, Illinois


True Position Of the Democracy in
THIS County.
Looking over the list of appointments
for public speaking in this county arrang-
ed by the republicans, the unusual num-
Der of such meetings for an of year" can
not fail to excite attention. The first and
most obvious thought is that such NOTES
of dreadful preparation" indicate less con-
fidence aud greater fears of danger than
in times past. Such, no doubt is really the
case. The third party has made from the
outset camorous annd noisy attestation
Of its strength, and claimed to know with
great certainty exactly who belonged to
their side, and that neither reason, argu-
ment, or persuasion could detach any vot-
ers from their ranks. Their mode of as
sorting the strength of their numbers and
their positive adherence to the ticket i'm
phys either bluff game or a system of per-
sonal pledges through the agency of clubs.
That something of the latter exists has
been virtually admitted, since it is no Sc
cret that they proclaim their intention tC
vote for no one for an elective Office who
is not absolutely pledged to the behests
aud plans Of the party. How much
further they have adopted the old Know
Nothing system of political action is
best known to the managers and
the select few who constitute the
inner circle, and of course will not be in
teutionally divulged. This characteristic
of the party to secresy, and to obligating
its members under pledges OF persona
honor to obey 1.-The mandates of secret
political clubrooms, however perniciou'
the effect may be and however repulsivt
t. the spirit aud objects Of a republican
form of government is liable in the course
Of time to defeat its own purposes through
the Vaccinations and divisions of ambi
tlous leaders. Its purpose may be useC
and be potential in the preseD
contest, and perhaps for SOM
time to come, but in the end it vii
recoiI'npon and defeat itself. There is
point of similarity, however, between tn
management of the republicans and b
new departure party 10 this county whic
is so open and apparent as only to requir
being mentioned to be at once recognized
1t is this; To ignore the Democrat
party, and create an impression that th
real contest lies between them. Both arr
trying to make an appearance of strength
both have introduced stump speaking into
the contest, aud both would like to have
understood that one or the other is to b
the victor.
The nationals in particular would like t
make it appear that they only are the part
which has any show of contesting success
fully against the republicans. They hav
very industriously solicited democratic
votes on that ground, assuming there ar
great many democrats who would prefe
the success Of the nationals TO that Of re
publicans, and by pretending democrat
have no chance, and that they have, the
have hoped to get democratic votes. A
it happens, democrats are not reduced t
any such extremity, and have no occasio
to make any expressions of choice betwee
republicans and nationals. One thing ma
be said on this point; the nationals hav
counted too much altogether on democrat
being willing to use any means to beat III
republicans. The democratic party is i
the field, and has been for half century
and is the one great party against whic
all other parties have arisen and contend
ed; it has seen their beginnings and it
likely'to see their endings. including the ma
Iionals also, and il wins victories for itse
il at ALL
A brief consideration Of the actual stat
of affairs shows how little faith either RI
publicans or Nationals can really have
regar to carrying this county this fal
The republican mai )rIty Of the count
was always about the same figure as th
republican majority of Moline. The nj
tional vote 10 Moline will probably b
about the same fgure-and nine-t enths
it from the republican side. Take tn
rest of the county, and unless the nations
vote comes more from the democratic tina
the republican side, the republican majo
ity in the county is certainly obiteratet
Take the whole national vote of the couI
ty, and it is perfectly safe to say that II
detection FROM tie republicans is two
one as compared with democrats. Mo
certainly then the democratic party, iustet
of being out of the contest, is really OIL
of the two between which the contest a
tually lies. The republicans Of the coul
ty begin to realize the fact very clearly, al
unless they can whip back the republican
who have gone into the national ranks al
leave the democrats who have joined
vote that ticket while they vote repub