The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-04
NO LONGER A CANDIDATE.
Judge Lynde Writes a Letter i'm Which
He Declines TO be q Candidate
for Congress.

Ever since Judge Lynde received call
from a number Of his fellow republicans
to allow his name to be used as a candi-
date for congress, there has been little
war going on among the leaders of that
party, though the masses of the party
were not aware of the fact. Mr.. W. Fl.
Gest has been standing candidate for
congress for number of years. 1t will
be remembered that he had the support
of this county in the convention two
years ago for that Office, but for the sake
of harmony, he withdrew his name. 1t
] MAS practically understood, however,
among the powers that be, 'that Mr..
Gest was still congressional timber" or
in other words, he had his rod up ready to
be struck by lightning Only few days
before Judge Lynde received call to be a
candidate, the Union, which we believe is
considered the official organ of the TRULY
loyal in this county, contained an article
praising Mr. Gest for his hearty action in
the late convention, also stating that he
deserved the nomination this year, or at
least words to that effect Then followed
the call for Judge Lynde. The Union
was then closed mouthed" as to its pref
erence of men. The candidates, however,
had their followers, and the war ragged
hot and hotter. Finally Judge Lynde,
not liking the tactics of his opponent,
writes an open letter in this mornings
Union, Withdrawing from the race. Here
is the letter, read it:
To the Republicans Of Rock Island County
Rock ISLAND, March Sit is generally
considered that if this county has any
important interests VII ch would be pro-
NOTED by the selection of a Rock Island
man for the congressional candidate, and
that, to secure that result, the utmost
harmony must prevail in our ranks.
A large number of prominent men in
our party, some in person, some by letter,
and some by printed call, asked me to
be candidate and consented. During
tue week that has since elapsed hdc6
been .foil0tcsd By the most outrageous abuse
and .JdlSebood and ii is ilstimated that
although / might perhaps carry the county,
l lc0lRd Be beaten in tie district Ihare
t,cice called the attention Of my competitor
to This subject, and he replies that he "co9-
not c0RtroT the matter
In such cases a man is inclined to
strike back, but the effect of that would
be fatal to your wishes, and would be
sure to send the nomination elsewhere
Though | would have no fear of the re-
suit such contest would be very disa-
greeable to ne and ruinous to the party;
besides the gam is not worth the can
die"
But will not longer endure this in
silence; and therefore, in order to pro-
mote the harmony among our people
which is 50 desirable, decline to be a
candidate
l am very grateful TO my frieLds
throughout the county, many of whom |
have known twenty and even thirty years,
and from whom have always had kind
ness more than | deserved, and l trust
they will approve the couise l find it
necessary to take.
Respectfully, CORNELIUS LYNDE.
There appears to be niger in the
woodpile, or else why this insinuatiou
by Judge Lynde that he had "been fol
lowed by most outrageous abuse and
falsehood:" There is only one man whom
the Judge can mean, and that man is his
opponent, Mr. Gest. This is arself evident
proposition and needs no argument TO
prove it. 1t is prima .fdeie on its face.
There is likely to be a strife in the party,
but it is just so much grist to the demo
cratic mill, and as it is not our funeral,
we can afford TO be magnanim0us as We
watch the fray from afar off