Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-29
SENATOR PALMER.
A Talk in Which the Presidency
Comes Up.
he HAS NO ASPIRATIONS THAT WAY

But Confesses That Current Comment
Has Made Him Possibility a Presi-
fdential Nominee, and Makes Some
Suggestions to Illinois at the Ma
tional Convention That May BE Taken
as You Like-Illinois Claimed as DEM
ocratic State.
SPRINGFIELD, H., Feb. Ex-senator John
NJ. Palmer, who is home from Washing
ton on vacation, addressed a gatherir O
of his fellow-citizens here Saturday and at
some length defined his attitude regard
ing the presidency. The occasion was a
meeting of the Democratic county COM
mittee, and it called out a large number
of the best-known Democrats in Sanga-
mon county. The chairman of the meet
ing having spoken of Palmer as candi-
date for the presidency the senator said:
Il am gratified that any Democrat in the
state should think that | would be SER
viceable to the country in that important
position. l have never aspired to the
presidency. l have earnestly desired the
confidence Of the Democracy of the state
of Illinois.
at is true that the newspapers and some
public men speak of me as a candidate for
the presidency, and l suppose I am not at
liberty to overlook the fact that it is with
in the range of mere possibilities that the
nomination may reach me. | give you my
word / am not seeking it. What the acct
dents of politics may determine in the fu-
ture no man can foretell, but my interest
in politics, gentlemen, has no personal end
am not seeking place for myself. am
seeking that which is to me of infinitely
more value" After referring to the result
of the last Illinois election, and saving
that Illinois was now Democratic state,
he said that the Democracy had heretofore
been dependent on few states for a presi-
Dental candidate, with what success his
hearers knew.
Things Are Changed Now.
He then said: II have no complaint to
make myself of the patriotism of the Dem
ocratic leaders of New York | have no
doubt that that has been heretofore the
sounder policy. But l say that if | am
correct in my opinion that Illinois is
Democratic state it is new force that
brings hope to the country and this great
northwest comes into the contest and with
force to control the :politics of the United
States. [Applause.l Iconfess to you that
my own personal interest is as nothing
compared with the interest OF this great
party. desire that the Democratic party
shall marry Illinois. Applause know
we can do that with any candidate IL at
the Democratic convention will nominate.
LApplauSe.l
Mustn't Criticise New York.
"Now, let us recollect that we are not
antagonizing anybody. We are not crit
cising any other state. The Democracy of
New York has held its convention. The
time of holding that convention has been
criticised. Let US have no share in such
criticisms. 1t Is to be criticised by the
Democracy of New York alone. We
hold oursconventions when we please, and
so let New York. New York has
spoken its preference, and New y ork will
come to the next national convention an
organized and efficient body. They know
what they want, and they have the cour-
age to .sk for it, [Applausel. That is
politics. What ought Illinois to dor Hi
nois ought to go to the convention know
ing what she wants and having the cour-
age to ask for it. Any other course invites
division and is weakness.
Illinois should BE Harmonious.
IF we go to the next national conven-
ton having no definite purpose in view,
simply willing to accept such favors as
they will give us-weak, unorganized. hav-
ing no end-Illinois will be, as it has been
for the last thirty years, without force
a factor in the Democratic pol
itics of the country. If you wait
until the convention meets before
making any conclusion you will go there
weak and will accomplish nothing. The
Democrats in the next national convention
from Illinois should have a harmonious
delegation He closed with expressing a
wish to take off his hat to a Democratic
governor and Democratic president.
A Club for Printers Devils
LONDON, Feb. 29.-Mrs Hogdson- Bur
nett, the popular authoress, sails for
America next Wednesday. Saturday she
presided at the opening of the new prem
ises in Drury Lane for the printers
Devils" club reading room, presented by
herself as memorial to her deceased SON.