The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-30

The Republican papers rush into the
agony of double leads over the remarks OF
Gen Grant at Galena, with all che fervor
usual with an soctudl accession toi the
party. The glee Of these partisan papers
over Gen. Grants declaration would lead
a stranger to believe that he had always
been rock rooted Democrat and that he
was making his first profession of faith in
Republican party doctrine. The stalwart
party papers must imagine the people are
fooIs-if they foster belief that the sd-
ministration of Grant is forgotten-then
again, the meekness which these fellows
display IN chswing Grow" who few
months ago were calling Grant by all the
vile epithets within the range of vulgar
vocabulary. IF the Republican party finds
it necessary to 'csekle' over mere pro-
mise to vote for the party candidate, by
one who was for two terms elected presl-
dent By the same party. then the machine
does need olling. Grant would be worse
than an migrate to desert the he
publican party now. There is some
thing under all this, however, which
does not appear to casual observer. 1t
means more than a mere declaration TO
vote for Garfield and Arthur. 1t means
that the old machine element has been
.'seen," andl that the same old crowd
which made the administration of Grant q
disgrace ito the nation, is to have free
range and will be given full possession
It means that Garfield has surrendered to
the machine. "and that the worst elements
Of the party will control his actions;that be
will be aipiant tool in the hands Of the
workers, soto speak. and that the rings
and corruptions of 1S63-76 are to be re-
was due. mot so much to his own direction,
perhaps, as to his mistake in allowing his
SO called party thumpers" to control the
patronage and direct the policy of the ad-
ministration. Had Grant been his own
director. had he been left free to guide the
ship of state. it is probable better state
OF affairs would have existed, but he gave
way to the ring" and the
result was most corrupt and
disgraceful ! condition of things-the
most outrageous in our history. Grant
and his followers have been muzzled
politically since 1876. and it is an ircon-
trovertible fact that hundreds of Re-
pubiicans IN every state in the
nation, openly declared at the
time of the Republican national
convention. that they would not support
him if nominated. Scores of Republican
papers editorially pronounced against his
nomination, and the most severe personal
SINS were INDUCED to prevent his nomina-
ton.
Now. these same papers, and these same
partisans. hang on the words which he
spoke at Galena, as if they were mama
to the thirsting party.
at first the machine was defed, spit
upon. and ignored, and the result was
apathy everywhere, until in sheer despair
alton Garfield surrenders without reser-
walton to the Babcock- Belknap crowd. and
fairly begs the man whom he denounced,
to please help u.s." What a spectacle for
the American people. Will it help Gar
6eid2 Will the people any more readily
forget the corruption under Grant now
that he espouses Garfield than they did
before? We think not.
Take what comfort you can fromGrant's
words. gentlemen. You need all the con
ISOLATION possible to extend.