The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-07-22
The Daily Arens,
ROCK ISLAND, .1LLrrors
Concluded from second page,


with which we began this contest. We
claim that the Representatives of the peo-
pie, by virtue of their power to originate
appropriation bills, can secure redress Of
their grievances by stopping the supplies
for the support of the Government, or of
any branch of it unless our views on the
subjects TO which the appropriations relate
are carried out. | say TO gentlemen on the
other side and TO the country that 80 long
as the democratic party is in majority 10
this House it will never surrender that
grand, healthful power which. more than
any other made England a.free nation, and
which was put into our Constitution 10 or
der that the legislative authority might
have a wholesome method of controlling
executive power
Mr.. Chairman, this extra session BIT {
made up the issue between the two par
ties. The democratic party declares that
the Army shall be kept from the polls:
that jurles shall be impartially drawn:
that the test oath shall be repealed, and
that the Federal authority shall not in
terfere in elections within the States.
Upon these questions the republican party
takes issue with US. Confidently appeal
lux OuiJ W IAC pau VI lie COUNTY,.
the democratic party goes into this con-
test. Never in all the history of this land
have more important questions been sub
mltted to the American people for their
determin alton. They relate to the pure
administration of justice; they concern the
gravest doctrines of constitutional law;
they affect the fundamental principles OF
liberty. Every man who runs for any
Office in every state and every citizen who
goes to the polls to deposit his ballot is
Interested. The whole method Of ascer.
tanning the popular will in the Republic is
involved in the issue.
So far reaching are these princi
Piles that if upon this issue the
republican party shall be successful
then all the power over election il
States would be drawn to the centra
government. The States would lose theil
places in the federal system, and whether
the Army shall be used at the polls or MOI
would be question not Of fright and of con
stitutional law but of executive discretion
| Such result means the end of the repub
lie and the uplifting of the empire. Cal
there be any doubt as to a controversy Xix,
| this? In Russia where absolute despotisu
silences individual opinion, it nigh
be doubtful. In Germany where imperia
power sustains itself by an i'm mense stand
ing army,it might be doubtful In France
where the people under monarchs an
emperors for ages have slumbered,
might be doubtful But here, in fire.
America, with the traditions of our EngIis'
ancestors, and with the sacrifices and tri
umphs Of our American forefathers in be
half of free government, it cannot
doubtful Applause Shall the beacon
light which has shone from our shores fo
the encouragement of struggling freeme
everywhere flicker in its socket and g
out even as they are gazing upon it? Sha
the sun of free government 10 this cont
nent ere it reaches the meridian sink int
night? Shall the shadow and the ciou
of the Army darken our free fields an
free rivers and free lakes and free prairie!
and pollute the air so that freeman car
not breathe it? The century tf trump
just ended protests; the bright prospect
Of our future protest; the hopes of th
world protest, and l.what is practically {
more value, the democratic party, with il
majority of halt million of American pc,
pie, protests.
Gentlemen, the contest will soon begin
Aye, it has already begun. l hear II
whispering of American inquiry; | hcs
the mutterings of Anglo-Saxon resolve
hear the tread of the legions forming, wit
the banner OF civil liberty above them. TT
contest has already begun; and God giN
+ victory to freedom and the right! Lou
1 applause.