The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-09-21
Bring ont the Big Guns,

Our republican opponents in this county /
had, at one time, apparently determined
upon "still hunt" in conducting the pres
ent canvass. The late demonstrations Of
the party make it safe to conclude the pro-
gramme has been altered, and that it has
been found necessary, or at least has been
thought j0dicious, to. introduce distinguish
cd speakers aud make show Of confidence
and zeal First and foremost the Assist
ant Secretary Of the Treasury was called
upon to bolster up the tottering party,
and to inspire the faithful with earDestness
aud courage, OF course it was difficult
feat to sugar the pill which has been pre-
pared for the other wing of the party in
the shape of Gen. Henderson's renomina-
ton for congress, but the Assistant Secre-
tary did as well as could be expected by
saying nothing which could be construed
as offensive to the friends who have lost
their choice, he carefully refrsined from
crowdiDg the mouruers. He was equally
careful not to stir up the feelings Of any
one, unless, perhaps. it might be said
he was little lively for him in
his reaching out indirectly after the
so-called nationals In this, however, be
was careful to couple democrats and ma
tionals together so that the criticism d.
vided between the two should be less pond
erous tdan if borne by either alone. Ow-
ing to the assistant secretarY's indefinite
position in regard 10 the unknown future
and the possible outcome OF certain contin-
gencies, his late speech at Darts Hall
may be regarded rather as matter for
publication in the leading press of the state
than as directed to affairs at home, If it
should result, as one or more of the Chi
cage papers have already asked, in his be-
ing invited to speak in Chicago and other
large cities, it would lift the assistant Sec
rotary above the humble plane Of mere
congressional district squables into the ele-
waited reRisn OF national debate, and the
old time bitterness in home politics might
be lost In the transfer to another sphere OF
action. We can see little else which was
expected to be accom- plished by the speech
which the assistant secretary actu-
ally made. If the republican
party should by any posi-
bility continue its supremacy in the
state, his position in respect to national
favors at the hands of the party. would
perhaps be materially enhanced by the
speech he delivered, but it is not easy to see
wherein il 10 likely to assist the party very
materially in holding its supremacy.
The managers of the party have, how
ever, done the graceful thing; the assistant
secretary has been duly honored at home
and earned prospective honors abroad
and having disposed Of matter which
was not expected to awaken any great en-
thusiasm on the part of considerable
portion, If not majority Of the party, they
have turned their attention to doing some
thing IN earnest The Governor Of the
State was duly invited, aud made an APP
pointment to speak in the heretofore re-
publican stronghold Of Moline. The fact
that unforeseen circumstances over which
he had no control prevented his fulfilling
the engagement does not initiate against
the fact of the managers desiring to have
him talk to the wavering ranks, and ''tc
whip in the refractory. That operation
is TO be continuous from this time on until
after election, if there Is any truth in the
reported intention of the managers TO OBJ
tain the services Of Logan aud other noted
partizans TO help in their hour Of distress,
The point of Significance TO Democrats
is this, that the Republicans of the couu.
ty and congressional district are becoming
exceedingly distrustf I'll of their chances Of
success, The home talent is insufficient
to meet the emergency of the hour, the
disahsction Is. too deep seated, and q
stampede is feared Of sueh magnitude az
tolproduce defeat. If there was conf
denee and assurance of party strength, Of
superior numbers, as in days gone by
there would be neither occasion moi
desire TO make any display, OF
to huId meetings and rally the
party in manner unusual to the off-ysal
contests. The ''s,il hunt" and persona
efforts of candidates would suffice If dan.
ser was not near and lurking 10 the path
The plain truth is. the third party draw
largely from the republican party, nor
prOportiODally than from the demOcrati
party,-she republican managers begin L
realizs the fact very distinctly they begi
to rsailze another thing, that the chance
of success. are iouusog strongly and pre-
DOnderatingly to che demOcratio side
or II not 70 the democratic side
then the advantages are accruins to tn
keneht oil the third parry. Q Either alterna