The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-14
POLITICAL DOCTRINE
An Address From the Illinois Demo-
cratic Press Committee 20 the XIII
nois Democratic Press.


Democratic Editors of Illinois:
The Importance of the coming presiden-
tial election is our apology for addressing
you 10 the interest of the Democratic
party. The time has come in the govern
ment of the country when return TO the
principles of the constitution, and to the
methods of Washington and Jefferson, is
absolutely essential to the prosperity, If
not even to the life Of the republic We
are steadily, but surely drifting upon the
rocks Of usurpation and anarchy. The
frauds by which the present executive
reached the white house, plotted and exc
cuted by the leaders of the Republican
party. struck a more dangerous blow to
the prosperity of our Institutions than the
southern confederacy was ever able to
iDfict. They have shaken the confidence
of every thinking man in government by
the people. If their will 10 national
election can be thwarted by perjury and
fraud deliberately conceived and persist
emily executed, a Republican form of
government is a mere sham, and the rule
of plotters and trieksters Is substituted 10
its place. Open rebellion can be met and
put down by force of arms. But fraud,
working by stealth and covering its stracks
with the forms of law, can only be met by
unceasing vigilance and the scornfui con
domination of an outraged people. 1t is
the duty of
THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS
to keep before the public the record Of
the felony which robbed the voters Of the
United States of their choice for the pres
idency in 1877. 1t is their duty to hold
up to public infamy, not only all those
who planned and executed this treason
to the government, but also all those
who adopted the crime by partaking its
fruits. 1t is their duty to charge home
upon the Republican party-the self
styled party of God, religion and humanity
that Its lease of power to day is forged
and fraudulent; that it has destroyed the
ballot, the treeman's weapon, aud the
sheet anchor Of the Republic; and that it
has not only put President in Office by
fraud, bat that it has rewarded by political
3reterment the scavengers who did its
dirty work. There is no excuse and there
can be no apology for such q crime. 1t
was a betrayal of trust by those in author
ity. 1t was treason to the Government, aud
the perpetrators should be rewarded with
such contempt as followed Benedict
Arnold from West Point to the grave.
Now is no time TO mince words nor 10
honey phrases. IF there is not still sur
viving in the breasts of the American
people SUCH wholesome, hearty Getesta-
ton OF the frauds and perjnries that
placed Rutherford 3. Hayes in the Presi-
dents chair as will make 1t impossible tor
the Republican party to carry another
National election, we may well despair of
the Republic, for no tree government can
long exist where rulers are fG:sted upon
It by the corrupt manipulations of any
party 1t is further the duty of the Dem
ocratic press TO expose the false claim
made by the Republicans. that the pros
perity OF last year, as comp pared with 1877
and 1873. is due to the policy of their
party. The measure of prosperity we are
enjoying comes not from Republican rule,
but in spite of it. A market abroad, The
remonetiZation Of silver, and the reduced
expenses of the Government. forced upon
the administration by Democratic Con
gress, are its main causes Ii the hnsn
cial policy recommended By Hayes 10 his
last u essage, is adopted; IF the coinage
II; silver Is restricted, and tise volume oi
the currency contracted, bard times.
tyr0etrstiOD 10 business, and general bank
Tpptcy must follow. The Democratic
party stands pledged by It's last National
patiorIn 70 honest money, the amount II
which shall not be Increased Ut decreased
oy an arbitrary act of CoUggesS, but shal!
0e controlled by the demands Ui the bust |
ness OF the country,
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY /
-, auu Always has been, "a constitutional /!