The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-14

which to try the services of those we
trust; and should we wander from them
in moments of error and alarm, let us
hasten to retrace our steps and to regain
the road which alone leads to peace. lib
erty, and safety
Such were the principles OF Thomas
Jefferson, earnestly, honestly pursued
throughout his whole public life. To him
more than to any other one man is the
democratic party indebted for whatever
measure of success it has attained in the
past. The careful observation of principles
he inculcated honestly believe to be the
best safeguard of the party, to offer In the
future the best assurance of the conf
denee of the people IA confidence which
will be reposed because it is deserved
but whatever may be the future of the
party which he founded, the name of
Thomas Jefferson will live while time
lasts
To him may be fifty applied that beau>
tiful smile of Goldsmith's:
''Assome tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale and midway leaves the
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are
spread
Eternal sunshine settles on its head
Mr.. ]. T. Kenworthy responded to the
toast "Our President and Our Republic,
as follows:
Mr.. president AND GENTLEMEN
The sentiment to which you have invited
me to respond, at this the first annual
banquet of your club, is one that opens
wide field for thought and reflection, and
| could only wish it had fallen to the part
of one more able than TO respond to it.
Our President with his honors, duties
and esponsibiities; "Our Republic, with
its grandeur resources and power, are
themes that might occupy, and profitably
occupy, our attention for very much
longer time than can, with propriety ask
of you tonight. In my judgment, no pres
ident since Washington, unless it be Lin
coin, ever came into office with such
weight of responsibility as "Our Presi
dent. Indeed, no other period in our
countrys history ever presented so many
different political problems and compli-
cations, to try the skill of the executive
This will be apparent, when we consider,
that long had the crimes of republican
rule cried out to heaven-a yoke of iron
servitude, so to speak, oppressed and
CALLED the people and favorites corpora>
| tons and monopolies Toasted and rioted
with their ill-gotten gains; the result of
twenty odd years of misrule, with all its
attendant evils was and is upon us-a
rule conspicuous in its departure from
those pure and elementary principles of
free government that we're handed down
to US by Jefferson, had led the dominant
party into all manner of excuses and cor
ruption, and led it ON and on until their i'm
perious rule eliminated into the greatest
of political offense, in a epublic-that of
thwarting the will of the people and the
robbery of the presidency in 1876, and
with this crime upon them, during the
succeeding four years they seemed
| "A dreadful brotherhood
| In whom all turbulent vices were let loose,
in one bond of erring faith conioined''
AT length the measure of otfense was
full-the whole, civil administration of
the government was contaminated. The
parasites. barnacles and favorites of this
party had carried things with such to-
tai disregard for the objects of governs
ment, that in every departmental
state war, navy, treasury, postoflice and
interior-reform was demanded. Fraud
and corruption in high places was the rule
rather than The exception: and so bold and
audaciouS had it become that it unblush>
iugly went before the country in the last
great struggle with Mr. Blane-the
prince of jobbers as its leader and expo
nent;-"Then fell the kingdom of the
Gaths. their hour had come, and
vengeance long withheld, went loose;"
fraud and corruption had wasted them,
land, worst OF enemies, their sins were
armed against them" the scepter from
their hands passed, and shame was left for
their lasting heritage.
When in July last the leaders of the
great democratic party were assembled in
| convention at Chicago, to choose fit and
proper leader and standard bearer in the
coming conflict, It at once became appar>
eDt that their cry must be reform-dOwn
with jobbcry and corruption in high
places, the restraining of corporate pow
ers within just and proper bounds. as well
as return to the simplicity of the fathers
and an honest, faithful and economical
administration of the affairs of governs
ment; and, with these principles inscribed
upon our banners, we went before
the country. To whom more wor-
thy than Grover Cleveland could
be intrusted the leadership and
be honored with the success of
this great party in that strife? The choice
fell upon him almost as natural result,
and all over this broad land from Maine TO
Oregon, went up the shouts and hearty
applaudits of the people when the result
of his selection became known-in almost
every city, village and hamlet, bonfires
were lighted and the shouts of the null
titude, approving, was sent upon the wings
of the night.
He was early grounded in the political
principles of Jefferson and Jackson and
learned in the faith which we believe-the
greater part of his life has been spent as a
private citizen. yet always true and faith
full to democratic principles. About four
years ago he was called by the popular
vote to the Office of mayor of Buffalo. His
name was then presented for the same
reason he was chosen at the Chicago con
vention, because the government of that
great city had become corrupt and de-
bauched and political integrity sat not In
high places. The people there looked
for man who would honestly ads
minister the municipal affairs of that
city, and without any hesitation sthey
named ''Our President" The result of
that election and the manner in which he
administered the affairs of that Office.
was that in less than nine months there's
after, the great empire state found she
wanted just such a man to administer
her gubernatorial affairs, and he was
called by an unprecedented vote and ma
jority to the Office of governor of New
York. In eighteen months thereafter he
was the chosen leader of the democracy
of the nation, and in November
he carried our banner into the very
citadel of our opponents, and led our
forces to victory. He has been more
ailigent student of history than l, that