The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-09-18
THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
The Anniversary Of its Adoption Oh.
served BY the Jefferson Club
Last Night.

brated the anniversary or the adoption OF
the Federal constitution last night, by
giving public meeting at Turner hall
Mr.. James ii Eckles of Ottawa, who
was advertised to address the meeting,
arrived in the city at $50 o'clock, and was
driven to the residence of Mr.. ]. Fl. Yore,
on FIRST avenue, whose guest he was dur
ms his stay in the city. Mr.. Eckles is a
young man, lately admitted to the bar,
and is now following his profession at
Ottawa. His father is Judge Eckles, of
Princeton, who is candidate for congress
in the Seventh district.
Mr.. J. H. Yore called the meeting to
order shortly after 8 o'clock, stating the
object for its call. Owing to the club be-
ing in its infancy, he said no extensive
had been made to celebrate
the day. The club was successful in Sc
curing good speaker for the occasion,
however, and it afforded him much pleas
ure to introduce one of Illinois rising
young attorneys.
Mr.. Eckles was warmly applauded as
he stepped forward and commenced his
address. He said he was suffering from
a severe cold, and appeared here under
the protest of his physician. He had
learned on his arrival that the meeting
was for the purpose of celebrating the
anniversary of the adoption of the
federal constitution. That surely was a
worthy object. He was glad to know that
the club was organized under the funda-
mental principles of Thos. Jefferson, the
father of democracy. The federal con
stitution and its construction formed a
dividing line. between the federal and
national government, the wings and the
democrats, and today between the demos
Gratis and republicans. The republican
party leaned toward Capitalization, and
wanted all authority to rest in the nations
al government. The democratic party
believed in the protection of state rights,
and that power springs from the individ-
ual rather than the government. He did
not believe in allowing partizanship tC
make him forget his citizenship. No true
citizen would oppose measures tending tc
the public good, simply because they EN-
mated from party of opposite politica
faith. He thought the mass of the re
publican party was as honest as The
mass of the democratic party, but it wa:
its leaders that had corrupted it Any
set of men too long in office would grow
dishonest OfficehOlders think they are
the creation and not the servants of the
people The speaker then referred to the
many dishonest acts of republican officials
from the cabinet officers down to the pres
ident. The republican party was bending
today under corruption and not age. Il
was not only party of corruption but
extravaganza, the outgrowth of centraliz
| alton.
To hear some republicans talk on,
would think that the war was still in
progress. He illustrated the fact that ma
ture had done her part in obliterating the
memory of the war, by covering up alike
the blue and the gray in one sepulcher
Humanity ought to be as charitable a:
nature, and forget the past
Mr.. Eckles handled the tariff question
in mastery manner, showing the fallacy
of the protection doctrine, and stigmatiz
ing it as system of robbery
He deprecated personalities in politica
canvass. but the opposition had invite,
discussions which would surely result
detrimentally to the republican party
The claim that Blaine was great states
man was without the shadow of truth
He would give him credit for being a goo
financier, and that was all. He scathingl
reviewed his record while occupying tn
speakers chair, and ridiculed his proposes
aggressive policy, citing his lack of pa
triotism and courage in poor McSweeney
case. who was allowed to languish in
foreign prison without any cause H
showed that Blame was the candidate G
the monopolists, being supported by tn
richest men in the United States.
The address lasted over an hour and
hall, and was listened to with marked atter
ton, Mr.. Eckles proving himself a mo:
easy and forcible speaker, It is but jus
to say he agreeably surprised his hearers
who did not expect such an eloquent &C
dress from one of his years.
AT BOWLING.
There was largely attended and yer
enthusiastic democratic meeting in tn
Keller school house in Bowling last even
ing. City Attorney Corbett was presen
and addressed the audience. The meetin
was called to order by John Forgy, VIII
introduced Mr.. Corbett The latter de
livered one of his eloquen. and tellin
speeches. He reviewed the career of th
republican party, and also that of Jane
G. Blaine, and held up the glaring fraud
and inconsistencies of both in terse an
forcible language. The speaker was fire
quently interrupted by applause. Messr.
Starky and Space made brief addresse
advocating the organization of Cleve
land and Hendricks club 1t is expecte
that large club will be organized i
Bowling before long.