The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-01

If present indications are to be trusted
the republican party is on its last legs. 1t
is making efforts to retrieve its fallen for
tunes but it will all be in vain. The al
lance with regulators in Virginia was
made as almost last resort and although
that alliance was successful so far as car
ryiDg that state was concerned, but the dis
grace entailed upon the party by its action
in that matter retaliates upon it in the
north by driving away from its ranks many
\ good men, and rendering disguised and
4 lukewarm many more.
i The late course of the republican party
has been desperate struggle for existence.
4 1t has advocated principles for the sake of
continuing in power instead of seeking
power for the purpose of advocating prin-
ciples. Its course has been all along a
downward one. While it was sure of
power it laid claim to certain high sound
ing principles. 1t talked loudly about
''honest money" estate and national credit, !"
s'the holding sacred of public and indfEid
ual obligations" and pointed to its finan-
cial record and its fidelity to the payment
of the national debt. But what a change
is there nowl Twenty years of domination
had rendered that party rctton to the core,
and the conduct of its chosen leaders had
rendered the people doubtful of their
sincerity. The party saw their
votes slipping away from them; their
continued ascendancy in danger. Then
came the struggle to retain power and in
hat struggle one by one all of these once
so highly vaunted principles have been for
gotten.
The party first consented to reputation
in Minnesota .and on that issue joined is
sue with the democrats; reputation was
successful and the republicans triumph
ant, but the victory cost them loss of
honesty and self respect.
Next its financial principles were cast
overheard and the last election saw a
close compact between the republicans
and greenbackers of Mississippi and all
the influence of republican federal ad
ministration was cast in favor of the I'M
holy alliance. That influence was worked
to the utmost but was not enough to sue
coed Now republican leaders are endeav-
oring in every democrat state to form
union with any party, no matter what its
object may be if only by that means they
can secure q. few votes
Mahone:came to Washington as Senator
from Virginia representing party pledg
ed to the reputation of the state debt.
He was the h cad and organizer of that
party, and had come into existence through
him. He had started as a means of ad-
vancing his own personal interests and
for that end had held out to the ignorant
voters of his state the inducement of
partial Reputation of their debts.
He had the deciding vote in the Senate,
and once more the republican party for
got its pretences and bought him. 1t mat
tered nothing, that he was the representa-
tive of principles Numerically opposed to
those the party had always claimed; he |
had vote that was necessary to them if |
they hoped to organize the Senate, and SO
they purchased him.
AIler the bargain was mace the party
took him to its bosom and fondled and /
clothed him in the garments of assumed T
and bowed down before him I
and worshiped, it brought sacrifices of
every kind and laid before him and Of
fered up prayers and said: 1--WE know you
are not God like the Gods, we have be-
fore worshiped but only give unto us
these votes which we need and we viii
turn from all our former gods and follow
thee." So the compact was made and the
onee debt paying party saw itself
reputation in Vir- /.