Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-02-03
PALMER, THE VETERAN.
Despite His Wealth of Years He is
Still in Robust Health.
AHAHD AND UNrIRING WORK Err
his Views ON the Political situation
I'm Illinois and the Grand right He
Proposes 60 Make for Democratic
Ascendency.

campaign OF 1888 was an event In the an
mails Of American politics. Single
handed and alone he stormed the citadel
Of republicanism and made Il totter on liz
throne. The campaign of that year
earned for the veteran leader the title oil
the Gladstone Of the West" and that II
IL well applied no one will deny. The
prevailing fear that Gen. Palmer would
overtax his strength when he announced
his determination 10 stump the state from
one end to the other. grew into an sd-
miration and confidence as the campaign
advanced until at the close Palmer was
the idol Of the democratic heart
Mr. J. l.. Pickering. one Of the bright
est newspaper men in the state. and who
attended Gen. Palmer on his march in
1888 as the special representative of the
Chicago Herald. has lately interviewed
the general at Springfield. Mr.. Picker
ing writes an interesting description Of
Mr.. Palmer's domestic and professional
life. and many incidents connected with
his eventful public career. In regard to
the political outlook in Illinois. Gen.
Palmer said, in reply to the question;
'Pecisely as il is in the entire west and
northwest. The democrats will succeed
in Illinois, not so much on account OF
their inherent strength as from the dis
appointment of the people because of the
failure OF the republican party TO fulfil
the pledges they made in the last cam.
paign. The truth is the republican party
undertook more than II was possible 70
accomplish by any government. The re.
publicans are divided the old traditional
issues are worn out, and the people don't
mean to vote with party that holds w
vision of the past and labels IL 'PartJ
Principles In order TO carry this state
IL is only necessary for the democratic
party to be active and vigorous, and show
that IL is alive and keeping pace with the
times In everything that Is new and pro.
gressive. The principal issue In this
state will be taxation federal taxation
In some places local issues will predoml.
nate they always do. There Is some
dissatisfaction in German Lutheran and
German Catholic communities with the
enforcement of the compulsory educa.
tional law. The republican leaders will
attempt TO get rid of the tariff issue dur
ing this session of congress. They have
got TO par; with the vote of the agricul
tural states OF with the votes Of the man.
ufacturing states, and from the character
Of the men controlling the house OF re-
representatives. IL Is their obvious intention
To make the experiment of keeping in line
with the Subsidy states and ignore those
devoted principally To agriculture and lis
interests. They are also wearing out the
soldier vote. The political soldier vote
belongs 20 the republican party. and the
better class OF veterans are assuming an
independent position and gradually sever
ing the bond that binds them TO the re-
publican party. My opinion Is that all
this independent soldier element will We,
be found with the democratic party. The
soldiers OF the country are wearied OF this
perpetual clamor and this selling OF their
patriotism for money. 1t Is possible that
even the negro vote will disintegrate,
though | confess that the possibility Is a
slight one"
General. do you believe that the far
mers will adopt any independent course
In politics this year In this slater"
That is a question that can better be
answered In the next month or two.
do not think the Farmers Mutual Bene-
ht association, which has the most
strength IN this state. or any farmers or
labor movement Ii necessarily In the In.
terest OF the democratic party. The feel.
ing In favor OF these movements Ia really
protest against the republican party as
the party in power. II there are any
such movements incubating. they mean
that the promoters will not vote the re-
publican ticket this year"
But will they vote with the demo-
cratsS"
III the democrats speak out frankly
and condRct the campaign on plan Of
candOr and honesty and snow DISPOSE
ton 70 fulfill what they promise that vote
will come 10 us In very large measure
There i one very gratifying sign in the
political horizon this year, and that IL
that men no longer hesitate to unite with
the democratic party on account OF old
prejudices The young men are Begin
ming To feel that party politics must have
some meaning. and they are inclined
TO support the party name that advo-
Gates the principles that more nearly
concide with their own. | am counting
on great deal OF useful help from the
young men who think for themselves and
on whom the glorles and prejudices Of
the past are mere matters OF history.
They are beginning TO study the present
aud the future. and are wearied OF the
despoiism Of the republican leaders, who
give them no hope for the future.
III the allied senatorial power organ
lies war on the president OF the United
States-and ] am inclined TO think thew
will-that hostile act will 90 far TO wards
destroying the illusions Of the republican
party name. and that Is all that has in
duced many men to vote their ticket for
years. We can hope for nothing better
than that Cullom and Farwel will open
war on Mr.. Harrison, which, by the way.
i don't believe they have the courage to
do, for the president today, within the
exercise of his constitutional functions.
Is much stronger than any senatorial
combination Here In Illinois a war on
the president by the two senators will
compel the republican party to go before
the people this year with senatorial
candidate, or go into liquidation"
What are the prospects for the demo-
cratic party in this state next campaign ~
IL have paid no attention to the de-
tails Of the political changes, but / am
very well satisfied with the appearance
OF things, because i have met no demo
crat that Is not ready and anxious for the
next contest--he is eager for the cam
paign to open. And l know OF no ri-
valry among the democratic politicians.
In fact, i never saw the party in better
trim for q fight TO finish than is the