The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-16
A GENTLE REMINDER.

While the republicans are buOying up
their spirits to the thought that they will
poll as large vote as in $780, with rel
alive increase according to the popula>
ton, they should not allow their zeal to
blind them to the fact that the country is
not enjoying such period of prosperity
as four years ago. The people then
argued that it was best to let well enough
alone, but it is not likely that any one
can be induced to vote the republican
ticket upon that score this year. The ar
gument is more applicable the other way
now, and it is most likely that people will
think a change more beneficial than q
continuation of the present distressing
situation. In 1880 everybody who wanted
work was employed, and the large crops
brought good prices The republican
stump orators made speech after speech,
showing the unexampled prosperity all
over the country. They even went so far
as to claim that the bountiful harvests
were due in large measure to the pacific
administration of Mr. Hayes. Although
this WIS ridiculed, the fact remained ap>
parent to all that times could not be much
better.
1t has often been remarked, not only in
our own history, but in the history of
other nations enjoying the elective fran>
chlse, that in time of general prosperity
the people are not disposed to question of
public policy very closely, aud are easily
induced by orators of good address to
fall in with the cry of Let well enough
alone" The laxity of public observation
has tendency to breed official corrupt
ion. and so it was four years ago. While
Messrs Hayes, Sherman, Key, Evarts and
were making their tours of the country
fairs and unctiously assuring their hearers
that all was lovely and the public COOS
at Washington hung high, Dorsey and his
countless allies were busy in their Star
route knavery
But most emphatic change has ocs
Cured since 1880. Crops have been fair,
and the promise of the fields are rich this
year, but in almost every other branch of
industry there has been and is stagnation.
Wall street has been the scene of many
financial wrecks, and defalcations have
been of common occurrence in all parts
OF the United States. The great manu-
featuring interests complain of over pro
duction, and are cutting down the wages
OF the few they still keep in employment.
Profits are smaller and competition keener.
The laboring class is the one that suffers
the most, and the indications are that theiI
condition in like is daily becoming more
lowly. Therefore the popular attention
Is more easily attracted to political and
economical evils that exist in the govern
ment. The enormous surplus in the
Uuited States treasury, represent Just SC
many millions taken from the people
without warrant, and to remove which M
effort is made, will cut more of figure
in the approaching election than mar,
will imagine. 1t is in itself evidence o.
gross neglect of the peoples interest,"
and palpable disregard of the logic o
the situation. This will be a republican
stumbling block which no fine words cal
remove, and the pinching times will max
hearers for republicanism's antagonists
Wherein 1880 they talked to the winds.