The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-26
The Real Situation,

When the democrats in congress at
tached the repeating clauses to the army
bill, they did so because they were deter
mined that the unjust and tyranical laws
should be wiped from the statutes-laws
that were infamous and subversiYe of free
institutions and free government. When,
after the war, these laws were passed by q
republican congress, it was claimed that 1t
was only for the purpose of temporary
protection-a necessity which even at
that tune, did not really exist. The re
publican cry Of revolution is mere bun
combe, started for political effect, to FIRE
the northern heart and intensity the feel
ing Of hatred that the republicans would
ike only too well to see revived. 1t Is not
stating too much to say that the leaders of
the republican party-or at least the stall
wart wing, would bail with joy another war;
whereby they could enrich the few at the
expense of the many. We state it be
lovingly that there are those in
the republican party to-day who
would willingly plunge the country
into bloody civil strife, if by so doing the
perpetuity of republican misrule could. be
insured. The wall Off the widows ADD
orphans, the CORY locks Of the wounded
and dying, would make no impression on
the hearts of the constituencies rascals-
who in the event of iwsr-would hope to
be reveling 10 i'll gotten wealth purchased
with the blood of the yeomanry OF the
land. The debate on the repeating clauses
on the. part of the republicans has
been characterized by that Hnreleuting
bitterness born of sectional hatred. On the
part Of the democrats,it has been conduct
ed with moderation, and patriotism, appeal,
ing to the Judgment and not the passions Of
the people. The democrats are contend
ing for a free ballot. The republicans tol
bayouet rule at the polls. The democrats
are for cementiug the two sections in ont
bond of fraterual feeling-a unison O
national and commercial interests uortt
and south-eqCality for all aud republic
such as our forefathers intended
The republicans are for the poic
Of hatred, thereby hoping to keer
alive the sectional feeling of the war time
aud hoping. by terrorizing the people an,
painting a picture of possible horrors t
come in the event of democratic saprem
acy-to ward off their downfall and say
the party. 1t is party" first and couutr
last with republicans. With democrats
it is the country first the party afterwards
One is actuated by mercenary greed fc
political plunder-the other anins
ted solely by a desire to alleviaI
the suferings of the people. Democrat
means the people-and as their exponent
the democratic party will carefully guar
their interests. This empty sound of re-
olution will lose its intended effect--it W
be the means of strengthening the demo
racy. When the people diagnose the ma
ter, when it passes through the searchir
process of public ciiticism--the democra
ic party will be heralded as the represe
tative of true patriotism, and in 1880, wht
the presidential contest is waged, Il
people will speak in so decided a mann
that there will be TO doubtful result-tl
voice of the people will proclaim in fav
OF democracy by the largest popular NJ
jogity ever given in this country. The
when too late, republicans will learn tn
the cry of revolution was mistaE
Hearken, We republicans. and heed