The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-07-17
The Republican Nomination for State
Senator.

The Republican Convention of yesterday
in this city which re-nominated Hon. M. |
NJ. Ford for State senator, was striking
instance of the sheer force of party discl- |
pine and the relentless rule of perverted
party despotism. His denomination was
secured simply by the fact that the pre-
ponderance of republican votes IN Henry
county gave that county one more delegate
than Rock Island and the excess OF one
was the arbitrary number by which the
Henry county men distanced Mr.. Gest.
In regard to the feuds of the republican
party upon which the action OF yesterdays
convention is alleged to have been predica-
ted that is matter which mainly concerns
republicans and not outsiders, but it is
neither improper nor unbecoming In US as
journalists to comment upon the ticket and
to speak of the comparative merits
of the names presented to the convention.
The writer hereof is personally acquainted
with both Mr.. Ferd aud Mr. Gest and has
no hesitation in saying that IN
public estimation generally the latter gen
tleman is by far the better man for the po-
sltion of state senator. Mr.i Gest has
the qualifications natural and acquired
which would give his prominence and in
huence in deliberative body and his be-
ing elected to such position would reflect
credit upon the constituency which elected
him. Upon questions of purely party
nature, no doubt both gentleman woulc
act with the republicans and sustain party
measures fully as partizaus, but stepping
beyond the narrow limit of party issues
and looking at general legislation anC
the enactment oe general law
for the body of the people
looking at the individualism and the rela
tive force and influence of the two men
there is wide and marked difference i
favor of Mr.. Gest. Mr.. Ford has served i
both houses of the legislature of this state
and all that can be said, all that cando
and fairness require to be said in his be
half is that he has been reliable to hi
party in a partizan sense, but furthe
than that he is not man of any note, an
during his legislative career has attracte
no attention whatever from the people {
the state either as an able man or as an il
fuential advocate of any special measure
lie has merely been a member, one ottt
hundreds who fall into obscurity the M
ment their official term expires, and who's
obscurity is no loss to the community
large The distinctive point shown by tt
action of the republican conYentiC
of yesterday is this, that party manag
ment, caucus machinery,a nominating co
veDtioD, can be so arranged and manip
lated by determined and active party ma
ayers that it becomes next to an impos;
bility the best men should be selectt
for Office. Second rate men never ri
superior to feuds and prejudices and star
ready to slaughter good men for the ben
fit of interiors if the success of the ma
aging clique requires such sacrifice.
democratic journal it does not conce
THE ARGUS specially whether the repu
ican party in the selection of it's canC
dates acts upon a suicidal policy
not, but the mistakes of our opponeI
may be held up to the democracy as SOU
thing which they will be wise in avoidir
The conventions of the democratic PAL
of this congressional and legislative
trict are shortly to be held, aud it will
we'll for the democracy to look over {
field with circumspection and care,
ignore personal feuds and jealousies, a
to make the selection of their candida
with an eye single to the qualifications
the nominee, his fitness for tho particu
Office named, and the harmonious supp
to be given by those who deposit the /
lot. That silent little missive is what 6
ties the question after all, and when
candidate is not liked, and especially if
is obnoxious intelligent upright men
volt against blind submission TO eau
dictation, and many vote is quietly gi'
10 the opposition which would have b
otherwise cast, if an equally good u
had been the party nominee. Party di
pine is a strong cord, but it cannot
made strong enough to wholly bind
action Of intelligent thinking and patri
men.