The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-11-26

Since the election we have met large
number Of democrats from different parts
of the district and 10 no instance have any
of them taken discouraging view of the
future of the party; and, it is fact, that
the party is in better condition to-day, in
this district, than it has ever been before.
1t is only those who went off with the
third party and thereby contributed to
the election Of the republican candidates
who have occasion for regret. Those who
stood the test and maintained their belief
in the constitutional principles OF democ-
racy, knowing that they were right,-feel
far better satisfied with the result than
they would had they sacrificed their hon.
est convictions by a union with the third
party and thereby elected their candidates.
It ia that kind of surrenderiug Of princi-
pies that has always beaten the democracy.
1t defeated Seymour and Blair; it nearly
wiped the party out Of existence in 1872,
with Greeley, and only when fighting on q
sound democratic platform, with candidates
thoroughly IN accord with those princi-
pies, in 1876, were they successful The
fight was made straight in the state this
year, and. while the republican candidates
were elected, the result IS by no means a
republican victory. In1s76 the republicans
polled l0,S29 votes more than the com
bined opposition, and this year they polled
2S,556 votes less than the combined oppo-
sitior. Their success 10 the face of this
rebuke, is due, not to any increased pop
ularity of their party, but to the third party
gotten up by John Sherman and Wal
street, which worked just as they had an
ticipated and they encouraged it with ma
terial aid. The whole west was overrur
with the paid greenback speakers, every
postoffice was flooded with circulars. anC
when there was fear that the democratic
vote would not be sufficiently divided, thu
secretary Of the national republican com
mlttee, MIR. Gorham, came out with
greenback speech and even John Sherman
in his Efforts to encourage and enthuse III
greenbackers said that in his opinion 9TH
national banks would have to go" Their
was no stopping he wild greenback Graz
under these circumstances. They woul
listen neither to reason, sense or entreaty
Some even believed that they were goin
to sweep the country. Democrats, sorel
fore them, when victory was already
their hands, stood their groun
manfully and let the wild craze sweep th
republican candidates into Office, just q
John Sherman and the national banks ha
calculated. The wreck was not howeve
sufficient to discourage the democracy {
wrest from them the control of the lowe
house of congress. 1t is this fact tn;
makes democrats satisfied with the result
that places the party in better conditio
than it has ever been before, The rar
and file of the party have stood by Il
time proven principles Of democracy, the
have refused to follow the crazy lead
men who were once democrats but VIII
either for supposed popularity or pay a
tempted to make them desert their prime
Piles. Two things have been accomplis
ed; democratic majority is secured
both branches Of congress aud John She
man IS third party trick has been exposed
time to prevent it endangerinG democra
success in 1880. The figures in eve
township, where the republicans wheeI
into line and voted for the republican CT
didates leaving democrats to throw aw
their votes on third candidates, have taug
the crazy currency philosophers what
the orators in the world could not ha
pounded into their heads in a thol
and years, Another thing, the democra
majority in congress is just close enough
make it cautious what kind of legislation
gives the people The country does I
expect impossibilities butt does demand
careful and steady progress towards ecC
omy, honesty. and justice to all class
There should not be any failure in folio
ing up the policy of retrenchment col
menced at the last session. There is
reason why there should not be retrenc
ment, and that reduction of taxation col
mensurate with the reduction in all 4
values Of property, In 1876 the dem
cracy said there is necessity for reform
The people have given them the control
the legislation Of the country, and it is Il
belief among democrats that they W
use that control for the benefit of all elias
es and for the whole country and there
ensure democratic victory in 1880. III
is what makes democrats feel so well ov
the situation at this time.
-@
The Bureau County Tribune must ha
had its eye upon some of our citizens VIII