The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-21
DEMOCRATIC MASS NETTING.
"A Large Attendance.
Speeches by Hon. w. ]. Hynss Of
Chicago, Hon. Lawrence Har-
men, and Hen. Charles
Cameron.


men, and Hen. Charles
Cameron.
Observation-Disclosures fact that the Dema
ocrats had but 4S hours notice. the. DEM
ocratic mass meeting on Market Square
on Friday evening was an immense affair
and successful in point of numbers and
otherwise. beyond the expectations OF the
most sanguine members OF the party. IL
was expected that the well known reputa-
ton of the speakers would draw d fair
sized audience, but it was hardly anticipa-
ted that there would be such an immense
outpouring of voters on so short notice,
| It speaks well for the spirit of enthusiasm
and is an aueury Of the victory which il
| to come in November next.
| About 1880 O'Clock Bleusrs fne brass
band discoursed some excellent music
near the stand and then marched to the
1 HEADQUARTERS of the Sunuyside Hancock
Club, where the club with torches and In
command of Capt, Blackburn were wait
ing.
The torchlisht procession then marched
up to Third Avenue thence TO 10th street
and up Second Avenue to the
stand, being frequently cbeered
on the way. Captain Blackburn
handled his men well. and the procession
looked well coming up Second Avenue q
blaze of light. There were los torches in
line, which considering this is the first
| turnout. is an excellent showing. AZ the
next meeting. there win Be three times
the number.
Promptly at o'clock the meeting was
called to order. Mr.. B. D. Buford acting
as chairman. The first speaker was
HON, LAWRENCE HARMON
He opened his speech by asking the cues
ton. Row sre we governed ?" He then
proceeded to elucidate the theory of gov
eminent. drawing the line of distinction
between state and national law, and
clearly demonstrating that the Democratic
party was loyal party.a government loving
party-a party whose brightest lights
were men whose record as statesmen we're
unequallsd. Mr.. Harmon then turned
his attention 20 the Greenback party,
and without abusing the rank and file. he
charged that the head leaders of the
Greenback party were in COLLISION
with the Republican party; that the
Greenback papers were supported In
part by money furnished from Re-
publican sources; that he knew OF one in :
stance where q Gresnback paper was sub
sidized $40. the money being paid by
Republicans to enable the publisher to
send his Greenback paper to Democrats;
that the rank and file of the Greenback
party were honest. but they were being
misIed by fan2tical leaders and unprinci-
pied demagogues. who we're paid by Re-
publicans to keep the third party alive in
Democratic districts, in order to lessen the
Democratic vote. Mr., Harmon then COM
pared the Republican and Democratic
records and showed by statistics that the
Democratic party. since having control in
Congress, had saved S220.000.000 to the
people; that the exsraYagancs Of the Re-
publican administrations previous to 1875
were without parallel; that when the Dem
ocrats obtained control Of the House of
Representatives In 1875, Notwithstanding
the opposition of Republican majority in
the Senate. the extravsgsnces and cor.
ruption funds ceased; the expenses of the
government were cut down by millions of
dollars. the superfuous Offices were
abolished, the unnecessary waste
money ceased, and 10 the first year of
Democratic majority. in one branch only of
congress the expenditures of the govern
ment were reduced from the estimates by
Republican officials and in spite of violent
opposition By p Republican senate over
500, geo 600. Think OF it, will youW
said Mr.. Harmon. sixty millions saved
to the people in one year under Demo
cratic rule 10 only one branch of congress.
The records were followed from 1875 mp
to 1880. and concluding his reference TO
this branch of government affairs. Mr..
Harmon said, so you gee. my friends,
that the Democratic party has saved you
since 1875. the enormous sum of tsoo
hundred and ttoenty millions of dollars.
IF this be the result when the congress is
obstructed By Republican administration
what will be the result when the govern
mental power from president down 10
vested in the Democracy"
Mr.. Harmon then paid glowing trib-
ute to the nominee for president, Gen.
Hancock and predicted his election.
(Hancock's name solicited applause when
ever mentioned
Turning TO state affairs Mr, Harmon
gave an exhaustive review of the evils of
Republican rule and disclosed condition
of affairs which no doubt. surprised even
and set them to thinking.
He supported his assertions by the record
which made it indisputable argument.
He:aIso referred to Gov. Oullon's record
ON the t'Truck bill which everybody knows
failed to become o law because Oullom
vetoed it; it is also well known fact thai
Mr.. Hamilton, The candidate for Lieutenant
Governor on the Republican ticket. and
Mr.. Dement, Republican candidate for