The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-24
Senator DAVIS Speech


The political actions Of Senator David
Davis, of Illinois. have always been with
that true Independence that makes the
statesman rise above the level of the poll
tician. and it is this course, invariably pur-
sued by Senator Davis, that has made his IN
huence felt in the halls ct the National
legislature. Our republican contempt
raries have been wont to praise his course,
and when the democrats have claimed him
as bright example of democracy, the
idea has been secuted as untrue in fact.
Even so recently as two months ago, when
the political majority in congress was I'M
certain, our republican friends, and the
press Of that party cassed the senator as
independent of any political party. AS
the debate progressed. and the senator
took no part in the discussion, the radical
organs began to whisper that he was op-
posed to the army bill with repeal clauses
attached, and some of them even went so
far as to state it openly. But Judge Da-
Wis never acts without thoroughly dag
nosing the question at issue and then In q
clear, comprehensive and logical manner.
1t is the knowledge of his consciousness
on all questions that gives his utterances
weight. Ga Tuesday Senator Davis, made
his first speech on the army bill, which is
the ablest, most argumentatlve and con-
vincing of any speech of the session. The
senator traced the question to its lnclp'
ieucy, aud the causes that led to 1t, and
then proceeded to argue FROM non-parti-
san standpoint for the repeal OF the OBJ
noxious clauses.
The Judge said the country was tired OF
war questions, and wanted peace. The
laws were respected alike 10 all parts OF the
country, and nothing prevented the full
return of prosperity but the mischievous
agitation Of party leaders on both sides.
If there was any real foundation for the
talk of revolution, he said, the govern
ment would not be able to sell bonds by
the hundred millions, as had been lately
done. That kind of talk might carry cleo.
tions, but it could not benefit the country
aud the people will not honor statesmen
or politicians who revive sectional strife
and past issues" 1t is no new thing, he
added, to repeal in time of peace the !awi
made in time of war, and "the days of thi
republic will be mum bered when the peO
pie consent to let the balIot-boxes be un
der the domination of the military"
HIS speech was closely listened to b.
both sides in the senate and at it's conclus
ion was enthusiastically chcered. 1t l
acknowledged to have been the very 5es
speech, the clearest, most reasonable an,
soundest on the question.
When he concluded Logan tried to max
capital by stating that the laws were nc
obeyed in the south. Judge Davis re
Piled in sharp, concise way, that Their
were more unpublished whisk
crooks in two states in tn
north, than in the entir
south, that the 'moonshiners" as they ar
called were hunted down in Tennessee
with more vigor, and that if the same Ell
ergy was displayed at the north, the vioIi
ton of internal revenue laws would /
about even north and south; that in ii
south the construction of whisky rings ha
been neglected whereas in Illinois rims
had been formed whose power was fel
Logan was completely non piussed and I
doubt felt the force of the senator ALI
sion to Illinois whisky rings. As a mol
partisan appeal, based on actual facts an
delivered in a cool measured way, III
warped by mistaken judgment, Senate
Davis speech stands as bright spot
the records of the senate of the forty-sxt
congress-:he Sayings of a man pre-em
nent for pure patriotism, one whose ever
political act is synonymous with the hone
and glory of his country