The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-10-13
A MONSTER DEMOCRATIC
RALLY AT MOLINE.
1000 DEMOCRATIC TORCHES
SHED LIGHT ON THAT Be-
INJECTED REPUBLICAN
STRONGHOLD.
While 5000 Enthusiastic Democrats
Listen to Able Addresses by Ex-
Gov. Palmer and Hon. Jerry
Murphy.

| The Democratic meeting in Moline last
evening was an entire success both as to
numbers and enthusiasm. The procession
was very large and as only Moline, Hamp.
ton, Yuma, Rock Island and Milan partici-
pated from this county, and delegation
from Davenport. 1t was very creditable
to the managers. Those who counted the
procession carefully give the number in
the Democratic ranks as SCI on foot and
llTS mounted, making total OF 1859 10
line. Had Bowling, Edgington, Rural.
| Coal Valley and other townships been
called on, the number could have been
largely increased, The Sunnyside Club, of
| Rock Island. had the largest turnout from
this city, having nearly 200 men in line.
The Fifth Ward also turned out hand
somely with 100 torches. The Third
| Ward fell 10 with los torches. while
Hampton, Milan and Yuma we're out 10
force, and Davenport helped TO swell the
ranks, the delegation from that city being
under Col p. A. j. Russell, of the Daven-
| port Democrat The procession made a
fine display marching through Moline
and were cheered all along the route.
The speaking began at $40 o clock from
a stand erected Opposite Timm's Hail.
EnSehe Lewis, ESQ. as chairman. intro
duoed Gen John NJ. Palmer. who was
treated to regular ovation. lie
began his speech by alludiug to the inter-
est displayed everywhere for the Demo
cratic cause. and after few happy remarks
flstteriug 10 Moline industries, the speaker
proceeded TO discuss the election laws a
new in force under Republican rule.
After abiding briefly to the election
laws, he turned his attention to the young
men and said be was glad to notice that
the young men were taking hold of poll
, ties; that it was good sign, it means more
than the mere surface showing-it has a
deeper eiSnifcanco-it is an indication OF
the interest which is widespread AL over
this country among the rising generation
, of young meu. When sou see the young
blood OF the country active IN politics, it
means a campaign full Of vigor. 1t is so
! everywhere have been. and if it contiu
ues the rule will be. OLD men to the rear
gray boards to the back seats and young
men for the front seats. We old gray
boards must pass away and then the
mantle will fall on younger shoulders. 1t
, is good sign to see SO many young men
taking an interest 10 politics, for it is a
sure indication that they feel the respon-
sibility of citizenship and are becoming
acquainted with the politics of our country
with the great questions which are TO be
settled by the great American
} people One of the greatest
privileges OF an American citizen
is the right to cast a free and lair ballot
tons, and without free aud fair express
ion OF the same. elections are a farce aud
the people but slaves in the hands of politi-
cal demagoeues. The contest in 1880 is
for free and fair ballot-free. not only to
the white people of the north, but to the
colored people Of the south-free to every
American citizen, north, east, south or
west, irrespective of his political opinions.
This is what constitutes q free ballot. and
without it our liberties are crcumscribed
our suffrage farce, The Democratic
party favors u full and fair baiot-and
for this principle, guided by the constitu>
ton of our country, will contend SO long as
the government exists. lApplausel
In 1876 the people elected Samuel j.
TiIden president of the United States by
a popular majority of over quarter of
million of vetes. I saw the exact figures
90 one Of your traus3arencies "a voice
263. 1850. That is the majority as | now
recall it AS I said before, the people
elected Samuel j. Tilden president Of the
United States, and set by crime unpar-
aleIed in our history. the people were de
| frauded Of their choice and their will set
at nauRht, but l will refer to that directly,
my friends.
The speaker then referred to assertions
| by Republicans that. if Hancock were
elected, sbuspess interests you'd suffer. |
have been looking over your town, some,
and notice that it is vast manufactur-
| ing place, also notice that the manufact
everywhere there appears to be healthy
growth. | am really asteniahed at the
evidence OF gain. am told. too. that 1
have not seen the tenth part. This is a
healthy sign. it shows the growth of in
dustres 10 our great state. and nothing is
more conducive to business prosperity
| than healthy business This is a source of
congratulation, my friends, but it does
not follow nor is it fair sssum ntion, that
because business prospers DOW, 1t will be
materially injured if Hancock is elected. |
This is as false. as it ia utterly absurd and
unjust. tAppiause.)
Why. say these political speakers OF the |
Republican side. bonds went down ] of
one per cent, after the democratic victory |
in Maine" Well, what of it. suppose they
did. is that any reason why the business
interests should be alarmed2 Not at oil,
If the bonds cannot stand with the govern
ment behind them they cannot survive by |
the backing OF political party. If the
bondholders don't want to sell at depre-
ciation OF of one per cent, let them put