The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-11

their PRACTICES. And those are matters
that are well worth the attention of any
assemblage of the people of the state of
of Illinois, and especially at democratic
convention.
The gentleman who presided over your
preliminary organization stated with
great distinctness and clearness what may
be regarded as the fundamental doctrines
of the democratic party, and | will not
trouble you with further reference to
them; but hold it becomes material what
is, has been, and what will be the practice
of the demcratic party.
For almost quarter of a century-no,
from 1872 until now, the republican party
as it is has been in power-beeause the re-
publican party that existed before 1872
accomplished its mission and has passed
into history. But the organization of that
party was seized by the bandits that then
took possession of the ship. and would
now scuttle it if they were allowed to do
SO. What are the practices of the repnb
lican party? They are corruption, extrav
agance and violation of every sound prin-
ciple of republican government, until the
republican party leaders are an organized
band of robbers that plumber the cradle
and the grave. Is there anything in the
history of a free country like the highway
mans process now being pursued by Hub
bell and his committee? Stand and deliv-
er. Your life or your money addressed
to every officer in the country-men wo-
men and children-every one who serves
the country is addressed by this crew as a
highwayman addresses his victim. That
is one of the practices of the republican
party that as democrats we warn the coun-
try of.
Again, we have a treasury overlooking
with money taken from the pockets of the
people, and this last congress has scatter
ed this money profusely all over the conn
try for the mere reelection of members of
congress. They have been -extravagant
everywhere. | haven't time to point
out the instances. Tell me what prin-
ciples of republican government or of re
publican economy have not been violated
by this party within the last four or five
years. What principle has been pre-
served Why, your president-the acct
dental president of the United States,
Arthur (our heavenly Father sometimes
visits us with serious calamities; he gave us
Garfield over Hancock, which was sad
enough, but he cursed us with Arthur in
place of Garfield. How long. oh, how long
shall we suffer from the affective visitations
of divine Providence in this wayO Re-
newed laughter. This president. chosen
in the lottery of assassination" as has
been very forcibly said, elected by one sin
gle republican vote, enforced by one single
republican bullet, has taken government
ship, and is now navigating the waters
along the Atlantic coast, followed by
horde of snobs and sycophants What a
departure from republican simplicity. 1t
is even said that he has invented presi-
dents flag. Heretofore we have had eX-
perience only of the stars and stripes float
ing over our heads, but now we have the
flag of the ruler of the queens nave.
The flag of the president floats over the
republican ship we are told, and this is
your republican simplicity. The secretary
of the navy has another national ship navi-
eating the seas and expanding your money.
All this is the result of republican prac
tees 1t is said we have become a nation
"a nation with big n. All yes, my
cou~to ''nen-the big N is directed against
you - .ae. The power of the govern
ment is constantly invoked against its
citizens. The American people at Yorktown
salute the British flag, while the British
government is continuing American citizens
in its dungeons. While the big n is ir -
voked against you and me for disloyalty |
to Arthur and his minions. / am told it is |
a nation with big n, and after the bonn
bardment of Alexandria an American ship |
circles about and cheers the victor. That's |
the sort of big " it is. God knows moth |
ing could be smaller than that, but it was |
invoked by these men against all who OPP
posed them. Whatever you do against |
them is disloyalty. No matter if you wore |
the blue of your country and followed its |
flag in battle, the big N is invoked against |
you unless you vote their republican ticket. |
The republican party, in partnership with |
of Virginia furnishes money |
wrung from the tears and toll of men and |
W omen in the employ of the government
money turned over to that Virginia thief |
that he may compel honest people to fol-
low his commands. And | am told that |
general Chalmers of Fort Pillow notoriety, |
after being turned out of congress. goes
back home and gets down on his knees to
J. Hubbell and his crew, and these wor-
thies take him up into their embraces. My |
democratic friends, do you know what is
necessary to be saved by these mems? Do |
like Chalmers-kiss the rod-kiss the rod
Vote the republican ticket and all your
sins may be forgiven-and that isn't all, |
for you yourself may sin in company with
these most miserable sinners.
The great point then is what shall be
our practices, gentlemen of the conyen
ton. / have said before, platforms are of
no great consequence, but we shall have a |
platform to-day that will declare demo
cratic principles, and let US have no fall
tering-no double dealing-no two words |
to express the same object. If we mean
yes, the English language furnishes no |