Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-10-28
THE FORLORN HOPE.
Gen. Henderson and Capt. Robinson
Attempt to Brace IL.
Tee Princeton Congressman r'ua
m. -,eetacIe - Mr. Gest's Boss
Makes Desperate Effort.

~
conoressnan t. j. Henderson OF
pdnceton is man for whom the people
~ Rock Island have the highest regard.
HE services in behalf of the Hennepin
canal have endeared him TO all our citi-
zens. and whenever he comes to the
CITY he is certain of the most courteous
treatment. and every manifestation OF
appreciation that can he shown by our
people of his worth. He is always well
come in Rock Island. no matter what his
mission. But the motive which prompted
the generals visit last night-'o sacrifice
his own merit in an aim to save man
who has not the least attribute OF sue
cessfu representative OF the rights of
those he is supposed to repre- sent. pos
sessing neither the ability nor the desire
to do his duty as Gen. Henderson has
himself done-while heroic in the ex>
IRENE placed him III q somewhat ridiculous
light. So it was that those who went to
Harper's theatre to see him on the first
opportunity offered since his splendid
achievement in behalf of the Hennepin
canal, pitied him no less than they re-
spected him. The champions of Gestism
got the general to come here to help brace
a ia he hao hsa
could TO accomplish that end, but in all
candor and fairness il must be said that
il was the first time to the knowledge of
the people of Rock Island in which the
general was humilialingly routed. Yet
this was spectacle that happened in the
face and eyes of the people of Rock ISL
and who were present last night. The
distinguished speaker of the evening had
undertaken task he was not equsl to and
that no man living would be equal To-.
And that was why they pited him.
The seats of honor on the stage last
evening. in addition to that occupied by
Gen. Henderson, were given to ] l..
Haas, chairman of the republican con
gressionsl committee, Alderman W. F.
Schroeder, Capt. #. r. Robinson, Robert
Bennett. +. d. Sweeney, Candidates Col
Inns, Pesrsali and Campbell, these con
stituting the confidential circle, while
Robert Koehler, s w. Nc Master, Orrin
Skinner aud others sat on the outskirts
After the band had played tuneful
medley. Aid ". F. Schroeder, as chairs
man of the evening. stepping forward.
stated that IT afforded him great pleasure
TO Introduce man who years ago had
represented this county in congress. one
who had done so much for this county,
and one who" with Congressman
Gest'-had succeeded in getting the
Hennepin canal. Gen. Henderson was
given an exceedingly complimentary
reception as he advanced to speak. He
spoke of the honor he had had in the
past If representing this city and
county in the house of repre-
sentatives !or eight wears 1,
was that same number of years since ht
had represented these people in the
house, but he came back with all the
gratitude in his heart for the way the
people had manifested their appreciation
OF his services. The chairman had al
luded to his services in behalf of the Hen
nepin canal II had never seemed
proper for him to sllude to these thingl
himself. These were matters of record
and SPOKE for themselves. He had beer
accused of insincerity in his efforts TO
the canal. He had, he said. labored fo
the canal first as representative of thi
canal and since, and was as proud of il
success as any one could possibly be
He did not look upon it as a question o
mere local interest; it was one of deev
interest to the entire northwest anC
TO the entire country. He had never in,
terested himself as TO the terminal points
or as to the location of the lines. He wa
for the measure. Then he rang in th,
part Of his speech that he was brought
here TO do. II was the point toward
which be had been leading and unde
which he had been building the super
structure, but it was one OF those start
ling illustrations of top too out of al
proportion to the superstructure. so /
all fell with a dull thud when it was pu
on. But this was how the general pu
1t. While he was congressman from THU
district aud since. he said, one of tn,
truest and best of his friends, one wht
had supported him in a manner which
was in itself the best evidence of a friend
was VIM. II. Gest. He relied upon hi
friendship and support and always founC
him reliable. "He was not in a position
to do as much for the canal as me-" sale
the general, "but you are indebted
to him, TO Senator Cullom aud to your
selves, to the people of Davenport ant
Moline for the success of this measure
Mr.. Gest had not the opportunity to dc
as much as we, but he has done as mucf
as any man could do, in his situation.
The general stopped for breath. ant
while he hesitated TO see il he had re-
RENDERED all he had planned to say ar
audible sigh of relief escaped his lips
Then he went cautiously on little fur,
Their. He had heard it said old soldier:
were against Mr.. Gest. How unjust
and how ungratefu for soldier to have
aught against VIM. II. Gest He ha.
discharged mis- duty in this respect faith.
fully. II you vote against Gest, vote
against him because you are not a repub
hcan, because you are not in sympathy
with republican measures. because
you are IN sympathy with demo
cratic principles, bat don't vote
against him because he has not done
his duty" These last few utteranc.s were
pounded out by the general in much the