The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-07-20
REYNOLDS CORRESPONDENCE.
Purely Political---The Republican
State Platform considered.
REYNOLDS. July 10Th. 1873.

REYNOLDS, July 10Th, 1873.
Have any of the ARGUS readers taken
the trouble to scan closely the platform
adopted at Springfield, by the great and
glorious republican party, few weeks ago.
90 the occasion of nominating state
ticket. As a sample Of political literature
it never was equalled since the foundation
OF the government. As a declaration of
the principles and motives governing a
great party-a party that announces to
itself combination of all political virtues
it is a composition 90 eminently charac-
teristic of the profound statesman who
created 1t, that the reader cannot fail to
be Impressed with its grand and self
abnegatlng spirit of Me big IDjunl"
To better illustrate and more forcibly
appreciate this profound document, the
work of the statesmen belonging to the
republican party of the state of Illinois,
let US suppose that Thomas j. Henderson,
republican candidate tor congress IN this
district, made a speech TO his constituency
at the Court House in Rock Island, and
inspired by the noble sentiments contained
in the platform of the party of which he
is An honored representative, uttered the
following:
!. Il, Thomas j. Henderson, declare
my uuialtering faith in the principles aud
patriotism OF Thomas j. Henderson, and
in my permanent fitness aud ability to rep
resent the republican party in congress. |
believe | am more competent than any
other man in the district, and in fact | am
the only man that can represent you wisely
aud successfully"
And it seems to me that ifThomas I.
Henderson were to make any such speech
as this, his constituents, one and all, with
out regard to party preferences, would say
that Thomas j. is id fool, and ism t
fit 10 respectfully represent luDatic asyl-
um. Well, if the public pass this compli-
ment upon an individual who could utter
such sentiments, why not equally condemn
body OF supposed statesmen who virtual
ly utter the same foolishness. Compare
this supposed speech with the first resolu-
ton OF the republican state platform and
point out the difference Again Mr.. Fl.
says;
2. My opponent in this race for con
gressional honors, Hon. Charles Durham,
OF Geneseo, being rebel sympathizer, can
not be safely trusted to represent you in
congress, and his efforts to get elected on
the democratic ticket in this district shows
plainly the gross partisan character OF the
man, and his general incapaeity, and lack
OF honor and patriotism.
Let US suppose that this second senti
ment, embodied in the second resolution
OF the platform, was uttered at Geneseo
the home of Mr. Durham. What would
be the result. In addition to the ex-
preston of lew epithets such as
''damphool," very likely the friends
anu neighbors Of MIR. Durham would show
their Indignation at so gross libel by &C.
minIsteriLg to Thomas j. "a coat OF tar anC
feathers. If they didn't, it would be be.
cause they possess more conservative
virtue than was manifested by republican
electors during war times.
Now let US take up the fifth resolution il
regard to the permanent paciication o.
the southern states. Was ever be-
tore such nonsense, such stultifi
cation encompOsed in so many words
Here Is declaration OF principl,
recommended. which the party, as party
nave been vigorously lighting against eve
since it came into power, and which to-day
is the cause OF split that threatens tn
permanent annihilation OF the party. TIL,
republican party originated in sectionalism
has ever since been fed and fostered b,
sectionalism it has no Judgement, no
ever will have IN certain sections Of tn,