The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-29
s shown by the table given below:
2,S44
The Democratic State Convention.

4n6 0omoCEdIIC S6hbe OOnVeubAous
The near approach of the democratic
state convention to make a nomination Of
State ticket makes it necessary and proper
to speak plainly in regard to what should
be done, and what ought not to be done.
IF there is democratic party in this state,
now is the time to show itself openly and
distinctively as such. For some years
past the policy pursued in the State Con-
ventions has been a shilly-shally compro-
mise between a regular nomination and
an attempt at securing success through
the medium of availability. Instead of
doing the work as a party of principles
should, and trusting to the strength of the
principles enunciated for the appreciation
of the people in securing majority vote
for the nominees in a straight and sharply
defined contest, all sorts of hopes have
been INDUCED in and all kinds of dicker
and truck have been made with "Inde-
pendents," "Grangers" and other inde6-
mite party factions, with the expectation
that the floating vote and balance of
power could be won over to the demo-
cratic ranks and victory be secured by
such miserable party coalitions In every
instance the effort has been a sham and a
humbug and the democratic party cheated
and sold. That thing has been tried long
enough, it would be folly to repeat it.
Let us have new census of party strength;
let those who know that they are vastly in
the minority compared with the whole
State vote, but who are always SO promi-
nent at the State Convention with bold
assertions of the strength they represent,
and who are always anxious and ready to
trade cpon the basis OF their unknown
capital, have the opportunity of demon
strating just how many votes does consti-
tute their stock in trade. The democratic
convention. don't need to ally itself with an
unknown quantity, it would be suicidal tc
abandon its OWE principles aud organiza-
ton, il it has either, aud take up uer
nominated by its opponents or by THIRD
party. If there is to be third party anC
third ticket in the field so let it be, the
democratic party don't want to affiliate witt
it in any way, or be dictated to, or be dis
turbed by any pretence of their holding the
balance. of power. If there is any thing in the
democratic party,Iany vitality in its organi
cation, and any principles. at. stake worth
contending for, then let the convention &C
as becomes the representative of yigor
Gus and aggressive organization; but if j
Is wholly wanting in these seyeralqualities
IT 1t has become effete, worn out, or ha
Unsurpassed into dotage, then let the con
vention lie down and quietly die, and b
deceniy buried. The live vigorous an,
wlde-awake men who have acted with tn
party because they believed it yet capabl
OF affecting good because it is essential
and radically opposed to the corruption
mlsrule, and centraliziDg tendency of tn
republican party, because they have be
lleved that it had yet positive and Twin
future, are no longer DESTROYS or willing t
see 1t placed in the sub ordinate position q
being the body and tail of a compromis
nonentity with the head made up from
the flag ends and ambitious deserters Q
its political opponents. Give the people
straight democratic ticket, and if it is de
feated endure it, if it is successful tn
democracy will know where they stand an,
to what their success is attributable.