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

The Ground swell.
No democrat can afford to desert his
party. Doubtless there are persons in va
rious parts Of the country who have always
acted with the democrats that are now
disposed to waver, and perhaps vote some
others ticket. The same thing may be
said of the republicans. The right OF any
person to vote as be pleases is uudoubted.
No mere party tie binds any persons con-
science. 1t is the theory of this govern |
ment that citizens enjoy personal freedom
and exercise their independent Judgment
in the election of their servants 10 Office.
But notwithstanding these facts parties
have always existed, and so long as there
is freedom of choice and unrestricted suf-
rage there will continue to be parties in
every representative action of the people.
If there were nothing more, there would
be a contest between those holding the
Offices and others seeking to obtain their
places, Though this element of strife for
place may always be found existing in
every political contest, and Is strong feel
ing among the would be leaders who are
striving TO obtain the offices. it has but
little footing among the great body of citi
zens. Their votes are given with some
other object in view, and generally with
reference to questions which are
thought to be of public interest or
national importance. The possession
of the Offices of the country, or being the
party in administration, gives large ad-
vantage to such a party against its oppo.
nents. AS politics are managed, the
possession Of the Offices gives weight and
influence of itself, aud especially as an
organization having unity and strength
through common interest to retain that
which is already in possession. The Office
holding brigade is like standing army
well differed, compact, and ready for ser.
vice alta moments warning. It is q Du
cleus around which to rally all adherents
aud personal friends, as we'll as the party
generally. The strength of such machi
merry frequently impels the party forwar,
to success when the party itself woui,
otherwise fail 1t secures all the advau
tages of public patronage to one side an,
yields it actively and unstintedly to per
petuate its own succession, But wit
every advantage of the character describ
ed the overthrow of the party in power i
certain, and only question of time, whel
it has ceased to be 10 unison with the hon
est and positive sentiment Of tn
majority of people Often this resul
is delayed, as already shown. but i
the end it only comes with greater fore
and certainty. As general rule cite
and popuous towns give the first indica
tions of a reactionary sentiment, and fo
some years the country places and rurs
districts are the strongholds of the DOM
nant party. After a time these also be
come permeated, and as in the first in
stance they were less excitable and slowe
to become aroused, 80 in the end the rus
is all the greater and more uncomfortable
Even when parties feel secure there come
the crumbling away in some remote corne
another place soon follows, aud ere lon
the tumble becomes complete.
Such time all political signs indicaI
is rapidly approaching, There is dee
and widespread feeling that the republ
can party has outlived the causes whic
called it into existence. aud that 1t has NJ
taken the part of the people, as such on 9th,
aud now vitaly important questions, b,
has allied itself to the wealth and corp,
rate interests of the country to the hu
and injury of the masses. The evidenc
of uneasiness and dissatisfaction have be-
manifest for some years past, but Il
strength of party discipline has fro
time to time prevented Il
dissatisfaction from assuming o
ganized revolt. The revolt hi
come at last. 1t has come in such shaI
as perhaps has been little suspected, ar
at this moment shows itself more danger
GUS and formidable than is healthy
comfortable to the leaders Of the republic
an party. 1t distinctly foreshadows Il
immediate downfall of the republican pa
ty in national supremacy; and its destru
tive influences upon their organization W
be greater than among democrats becau
they have so long been the domineut par
and the disintegration from their ran
will be larger in numbers and fearful
larger in the loss of prestige. In the {,
nation of third party the democra
necessarily loose some fraction of tn
number, but nothing near as much as /
republican party, otherwise the third pa
ty could never assume any great mag
tude or become powerful enough to tire
el.either democrats or republicans. If
party which has for years been kept in I