Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-08-21
CONSCIENCE THE CAUSE.

Why Mr., Edward Russell viii Vote
for Ceveiand----The Republican
Party Has Left Him. NoI Him the
Party.
In a Enthusiastically able let
ter to the editor of the Davenport Demo
crat Gazette, Mr.. Edward Russell, the
veteran journalist and former Daven-
porter, writes from Minneapolis in explain
alton of his change of political views and
determination to support Grover Cleve>
land for reelection to the presidency
rather than the principles of the party be
has so long affiliated with. In his letter
Mr. Russell says;
| affirm that have not
changed my politics, as is being res
ported. My political opinions are today
the same by me cherished from the birth
OF the republican party. and before. For
full twenty Years the same were by me
advocated continually in the columns of
the Davenport Ga.ette You have the
files Of that paper in your own office today.
Turn TO those editorial pages and see
how. for Years and years. my pen was
active in urging the republican party to
be true To its origin. to Its tradition, to
the spirit that ever inspired its grand
achievements in behalf of human lib
erty and human progress, and so to be
true to the American people-the
whole pcople-aud their interests. See
how persislently that pen argued, sp>
pealed, urged, implored for such line
OF party action and national action as
should tend to subserve the welfare OF
the whole people rather than that only OF
the favored few. Note how the trend
of national legislation in the service
to greedy corporations at the expense
of the citizen was antagoniZed anC
warned against. and how the republi
can party was sought to be iuciteC
10 leadership in the needed reform in thu
interest of honest and economical gov
ernmeut. And, especially note. also, how
increasingly. from 1868 down, it was b,
me urged that the republican part
should and could lead the way in remOv
ing from the shoulders of the people
carefully and wisely. but continuously
the great burden of taxation rendered in
eyitable by the expense Of the WAT. Ye
more particularly, how constant was il
argument and appeal for radical mod
tication of the WAT tariff taxes on i'm
ports. by which American industry Wa
being handicapped in its else surely sue
Cessful race for supremacy in the market
of the civilized world.
Could |. without shame that woul
cause me to blush to see my own face II
tieCted in mirror, now give the lie to a
the conviction and beliefs so long ex
pressed2 Could | now vote to approx
the last platform OF the republican party
That platform declares that rather tina
have any abandonment of the protectiv
principle, falsely So called II would fave
the entire abolition of internal revenu
taxes. Rather than free lumber an
free coal and so cheaper homes an
cheaper fuel in the homes, free tobacc
aud so cheaper tobacco in the gro
shop. Rather than free wool free wills
Ky. Rather than cheaper clothing CHEAP
er drunks And this presentation of Il
tariff question is by republican orato
aud the republican press declared 10
the sole issue of the campaign! Tn
has not before been republican doctrine
The republican party has changed from
Should it be deemed "a surprise" that
cannot rs readily change front also? tn
republican party has left me; not | tt
party. My stand Is that of old NJ
feet tread the paths they have worn an
beaten. The republican party has no
leadership over new patbs-in march
the rear. That leadership refuse
follow. Instead, must vote as for yea
have fought-tor tariff reform Their
fore must vote for Cleveland in Noveu
Der, however voting on other and min
candidatures. To thus part from old III
valued political associates is painfu
Ii hurts. But. TO violate ConscienC
traverse conviction and give flat denial
principle would be to cruelty person
integrity and outrage true citizenshi
This, 81 least N my own esteem, and
myself, must ! first give account. SO L
vote in November, if at ali cast, will
all else than surprise to the better 81
Of Yours truly,
EDWARD RUSSELL.