The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-27
A POPULAR REVOLT.

of Ohio, made a speech at Columbus in
that state, in which he gave some of the
principal causes which contributed to the
| overthrow of the republican ticket, state
and congressional in the recent election
This distinguished gentleman says. that
the victory was by the people, and that
thousands of liberal republicans cast of
the shackles of party in order to rescue ouI
country from the existing dangers. On
this point he said:
IF. as we believe, the res nit of our late
election will tend to reform in the govern
ment, state and federal, and will power
fully aid the efforts of patriots everywhere
in the republic to stay the tide of corrup-
ton in elections that threatens the over
/ throw OF the very foundation of our sys-
tenn of government, then our political OPP
ponents will discover that they have as
much cause as we have to rejoice over the
| victory. Indeed, this event is emphat cally
| a victory of the people, achieved by the
solid vote of the democratic party and the
vote of thousands of liberal republicans
I who had independence enough to cast off
the shackels of party in order to rescue
our common country from the existing
| misrule and dangers of narrow minded
tyranny and persecution. There is much
discussion going on as to the cause of the
victory, and the opinions expressed are
various and conflicting If any one asks
me what, in my opinion, was the cause,
have to reply: Not one cause, but many.
| shall not attempt to enumerate them to
night, but this much will say: The coun-
try evidently is becoming tired of republi-
can rule and republican methods. When
| say republican rule and republican
methods, / mean machine politics and the
sbossism' of republican managers and
leaders. To say nothing of other
states, who can deny that the split in the
republican ranks in Pennsylvania and
New York has attained gigantic proper
tions, and VINO can truthfully deny that
there is adequate cause for the split; and
who is so blind as not to see that the same
causes. in greater or less degree, or in a
modified form, exist in every republican
state in the union. The mention of New
York leads me to call attention to most
striking and significant fact. In the con-
vention that framed our federal constitu-
ton there were few men who thought
the governors of states should be APP
pointed by the president of the United
States, and clothed with absolute veto
power. This idea was cond mned by the
majority ofthe members. But now, in the
nearly a century, the president of the
United States, if not represented by his
own political friends, has by the use of his
patronage and influence, nominated a can
didate for governor of great state, New
York, who. if elected, will be, in effect, as
much an appointee of the president as if
the constitution authorized his appointment
by the president. In view of his alarming
fact, is it wonderful that there is a revolt
in the republican party in that state?"
Again speaking of the results of the cleo
ton, he said:
1T was achieved, not by the democratic
party alone. but by liberal minded men of
other faiths heretofore, who found in state
and federal legislation, in the tendencies of
parties, in the drifting of events, good
reason to veto it. They are here tonight
not rs guests, but as hosts, also, as CO.
workers in the victory, and co participants
in the rejoicing All honor to them. The
accessions to our vote are confined TO no
city or town or locality or section; to no
character of population. rural or urban.
They are gained everywhere. They have
given us a delegation of able, intelligent,
eloquent representatives which has not an
equal in congress from any state in the
United States. The people are wise
When they thought their liberties were
HiCdlCACds LhCN SodAh ACiGuCf DC QiieCu
nor deceived by the false and fraudulent
cry of Free whisky and no Sunday
When the appalling extravaganza of the |
party in power, and notably the river and |
harbor bill, was discussed, no attempt to |
shift the responsibility had any influence. |
When the Hubbell committee sought to |
use its exertions for carrying close con-
gressional districts, nothing could induce |
an approval of taxation on salaries |
TO corrupt voters. When the in |
famous gerrymandering of last winter as |
signed to one half the voters less than one |
fourth the districts, no appeal to partisan |
could blind them to its unfair
ness. If we would gain and continue to
hold power, we must deserve to hold it. |
We must confine the federal administration
and jurisdiction within the clearly ac- |
knowledged limits of the constitution. We
must recur constantly, both as to politics
and Office holders to the will of the peo-
pie. We must reduce all expenditures to
the lowest limit consistent with the due
execution of the functions of government +
We must reduce all taxation to the lowest
point consistent with such expenditure.
We must introduce a reform which shall
secure economy, purity, and efficiency in |
the civil administration. We must have
appropriations and correspond
Ingly small revenues. We. mnst have Just
and honest taxation. We must haze mo
on Office holders for political
purposes. We must have no sumptuary
So e.