The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-07-13
"1ow Pleasant, How Divinely Fair,

low EASdSdhVy now 01V1u6Ay
The Leaders of Third Party" are.
A jealous convert to new cause is al
ways more ELUSIVE and more denunciatory
Of those he has deserted than one who
does not feel the necessity of saying and
doing extreme things to prove hisintegrity,
and to show the sincerity of his apostacy.
Without questioning the purity of motives
actuatiug the change of heart experienced
by person of mature years, who suddenly
deserts q cause with which he has had
lifelong connection, and which he has al
ways protested to advocate in sincerity and
truth, the marvellous difference of express
sion and vehemeDce of assertion which
characterize certain converts are born ofthe
illiberality aud narrow mindedness of
bigoted zealots There are of course hon
orable exceptions. There is Go general
rule so exact and conclusive that no excep
tions can be taken-still the exceptions
only prove the verify of the general rule.
The formation of a third party of necessity
compels its adherents to claim purity OF
purpose aud a degree of political
excellence, the existence of which it de-
MES to all others. Both the old parties
are corrupt, and unworthy the confidence
aud support of the people, is virtually the
language of the dissenters who have uu-
dertaken to exhibit themselves as the
apostles of new light and the chosen re-
generators of political degeneracy. Their
claims to superior honesty aud greater po-
litcal virtue than those from whom they
have seeded presents the interesting
question as 10 how sore heads and rene
gades come to be 80 suddenly mbued with
exalted worth and virtue, and how 1T is
that disappointed ambition in political af-
fairs can make men more intelligent, aud
ADLER opponents Of public policy than those
who do not give way to their persona
griefs and become soured and irritable
maicoutents. The organization of thirC
party is not the point of objcction-but The
lie affairs, higher degree of personal in
tegrity, greater aversion to fraud anC
corruption, clearer perception Of the OBJ
iect and aims of legislation aud create
ability to administer the government &C
cordiug TO the spirit and design of it's for
nation - these lofty pretensious o.
the part of men who have a
their lives been the most rigid @
partizans and the most unrelaxing drill
masters OF party discipline, shows how lii
tie OF genuine reform is honestly sough
and how little is likely to be accompIishe
under the teachings of the venerable oil
Inartinets. The leadership shows tn
character of the following-at least tn
character of the leaders, their soured an
embittered political experience, their pre-
fessed reputation of all antecedent politi
cal associations, and their allegations tina
heretofore they have been acting upo
wrong principles and with corrupt and III
worthy parties. shows how hollow and il
sincere their lives have been, or else no
woful,y ignorant, they were of the priI
ciples they professed to be governed b.
The change is in them not 10 the partie
they have left The great principles whic
underie and which constitute the strengt
and glory Of the democratic party are ce
tain and immutable. The application
principles may vary as necessity or o.
casiOn require, but their essential worth an
durability ever the same. Thel
may be faults Of administration
unworthy men, there may
differences of opinion upon que
tons Of public policy, there may be fault
and at times unwise legislation, but til
devotion of the great democratic party
this country to the broad and positive pri
cIples of true democracy have never bee
equaled or approached by any other Doc
OF men within the history of civilization
During the long period this country WI
under democratic administration it pro
pered and grew as no other country ev,
did. Since the accession of another par
to power, party which has widely d.
parted from the theory OF u governmel
tor the interests of the people, from ii
true democratic theory that the govern
ment is for the people and not the peop
for the purposes of government; sin;
the advent of the republican party
power, we say, there has no doubt been
fearful departure from the spirit and pri
ciples upon which the government W
founded-a disregard and contempt {
constitutional rights and for the interest
the mass of the people, as such. tn
needs to be reformed, but no chanl
eau be of essential service which is u
predicated upon broad and honest dem
cratic principles. The legislation of Il
country for the past twenty years, less
more, the democratic party is not respon,
bic for; the condition of the country at ii
present time it is not responsible for:-tl
time is not far distant, however, when wi
ademocratic president and a congress der
ocratic in both houses the party will on
more be the administration, and will a
only be responsible but will shun no ,
sponslbiiity which the administration
~ the government properly imposes. It is