The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-09-16

minority were Tue Ouly uOuECe VI xecLuits |
for third party il would simply be d.
vision Of the minority party, and instead
Of tending to become formidable It would
only still more weaken the minority and
render il that less efficient as an opposition
TO the party in power. The facts
of the case, as well as all differences and
arguments to be drawn from the premises,
show that much the greater numerical
proportion of strength which the third
party movement has secured thus far must
have come from the republican party. |
Thousands of republicans who were at
variance with the ideas and policy of their
party 10 the last few years, but who would
not openly join in with democrats, make
no scruple in breaking allegiance to unite
with the third party. They have long
seen and felt the necessity of making the
break, but refused to join with the demo
Gratis The loss from the democratic
side is only Of those who are disheartened
aud discouraged because Of being 30 long
the minority party, or else of that class
who see some personal advantage in join
| ing in new party, or hope to profit by the
tissue of events as men leave old settled
countries TO try their fortunes on the from
tier in new and untried scenes. One thing
may be said 10 regard to the democratic
party at this time which is not true Of
any other party; having been for long
years in the minority, the greater portion
of the element which easily floats away
has long since been detached and gone
elsewhere. Now is the real moment when
victory is within reach l. all democrats will
but be true TO their principles. Never
was there a time in the history of parties
when the democratic party could more
happily realize the strength of unity than
lilo the contest which opens in the year 1878
and which will not be closed till the cleo
ton of President in 1880. All the strong
and durable advantages at this moment
are apparently with the democrats, There
ought to he no division Of sentiment, there
really is no division of sentiment which
cannot be satisfactorily adjusted within
the party itself. The broad and elernen
tary principles of the party are the same
now as in the early days of the republic
They are the true and fundamental prin
ciples of the government, and the party
!, cannot be substantially changed so long al
the form and essentials of the government
:. remain unchanged. The democratic part!
still adheres to the old aud time-honoreC
principles of Federal supremacy within
:, the limits and powers of the constitution
the equality and absolute independence o
! the several states in powers not dele
gated or relnquished by neces
! sary implication; the equality o
: rights and duties as well as the equality Q
: burdens and of protection to and for a
! citizens alike; no special privileges or mon
opolies to any person or classes Of pei
:, sons; and stable system of monetar
!; affairs based upon the authority and tn
"a provisions OF the federal constitution,
II The democratic party has at all time
70 and under all'circumstances expressed
~ hearty sympathy with the cause of th
m people; it is the ancient and tried frien
"a of the common people, and its principle
4 applied to government mean the rule
n the people, and the whole people.
bo knows no distinctions of classes, it know
nj neither rich or poor as classes, neither do,
it confer benefits upon one at the expense
- another. It respects the rights of all;
Of abides by the powers and privileges, tt
10 restrictions and Limitations of the COZ
stitution, which is the organic law of Il
~ land the law for all, and which, in
y, proper sphere and within its right
- limitations in the supreme law for all.