The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-07-12
The Republican Nominee of This Dis
trict for Congress-.

II the business Of congress man was
merely representing his party by voting as
partizan upon all political questions
which might arise, there is no reason why
Gen. Henderson would not answer this
requirement as well as any other man of
his party. The General is a tolerably
faithful echo of the political sentiment of
his patty and follows the lead of ADLER men
with commendable fidelity. When that's
said all is said During the two terms
which he has served in congress, all that his
constituents have ever known of his career
Is that he was member of congress, and
it is presumed drew his pay and perqui-
sites like others But so far as his adyo-
eating any measures or introducing any
bills for the benefit of the people of his
district, or elsewhere for that matter, it
would as soon be expected the Ethiopian
would change his color People under
stand very well that it is not always the
brilliant talking member who is the most
efficient in shaping and directing legisla
ton, and many a one accomplishes more
in the committee room or in private inter
views and conferences with his fellow legiS-
lators than the oratorical displays of great
genius. But such labor, and the accom-
plshment of individual purposes requires
tact, sound judgment, energy, and the abil-
ity to command the respect and confidence
of those with whom such person comes in
contact. 1t means the ability to influence
and secure the votes Of your political op-
ponents on questions which do not directly
or necessarily involve we'll defined political
issues. As every one knows Gen.
Henderson does not possess these qualif
cations iD any large degree, At best
aside from his voting as a mere stolic
partizan, he would scarcely be rated as ;
third rate congressman, The other coun
ties of this congressional district are no
so directly interested 10 the election Of
member who possesses the qualification
OF vigilant, effective and shrewd worke
as is Rock Island, within whose limits i
located one of the largest government en-
torprises of the country, and one 10 which
all oil our people are interested regardless
Of party procliyities. Gen. Henderson, i
is true. belonged to the minority in tn
house Of representatives, and if the Ques
ton Of appropriations for the Island work
were strictly party measure, would b
in some degree excusable for lack of sym
pathy or disposition to strongly exert him
self in behalf Of the appropriation, bu
when it is something entirely of a nor
partizan character, something
which all of his constituenc
are to some extent, and a consit
cradle portion are deeply interested, b
sluggish movements and intellectual liner
ness are not fattering recommendation
for his return to position in which /
accompiisbes so little for those whom /
more immediately represents and wi
look to him for warm and earnest effor
in their behalf. La a political sense,
this congressional district is to be repr
sented in the next house of represent
tives by republican, Gen. Henderst
might perhaps be more acceptable to h
political opponents. than some other III;
OF more positive characteristics al
greater force-.of intellect. The General
certainly as near a political non-entit
aside from his slavish subserviency
party lead, as is likely to be elected by Il
republican party Of this district, and
between him and Preacher Haney of cor
munistic notoriety it would emphatical
be King Log as against King Stork.