Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-01

sound-money democrat wants him
for q presidential candidate. II Mr..
Cable expects to make any Roadway
with Mr.. Morrison's candidacy for
the presidency let him induce the
gentleman to declare himself une-
quivocally on the currency question.
1t does not follow that because Mr..
Morrison is opposed to the president.
who did him the favor of appointing
him q member of the worthless inter-
state commerce commission on
which he serves. that he is against
maintaining the national credit, but
the democracy of Illinois does not
care to hear from even MIR. Cable
concerning Mr.. Morrison's views on
the currency question. It wants to
hear from Mr.. Morrison himself if he
is a candidate or from any other can
didate who asks SURFACES in Illinois.
Let him declare himself. Let him
come out into the open and lift up
his voice.
Does Vice President Stevenson
want the Illinois delegation? Let
him be equally frank.-Chicago
Chronicle.
THE ARGUS regrets exceedingly to
note the disposition of the Chronicle
to doubt the soundness of Col. Nor
rison on the financial or any other
great question. There are few men
in the democratic party who in its
various vicissitudes have battled as
valiantly for its principles as Col.
Morrison. In congress he was the
acknowledged leader of tariff reform,
and it was largely due to his con-
sc.entious efforts while representing
the Eighteenth district that the
party ultimately achieved success on
the vital principle of taxation for
revenue only. Since the time Of his
appointment on the interstate COM
merce commission Col. Morrison has
not been as conspicuous in active
politics as previously. but he has.
nevertheless. kept in close touch
with his party. The fact that he is
now 80 prominently mentioned as
his party's prospective candidate for
the presidency. after serving for
years on non-partisan commission.
is the most convincing evidence OF
his great popularity and unfaltering
democracy. A man with less mag.
netism and force would have long
since lost his political individuality
II placed in a similar position.
But the Chronicle evidently takes
no heed of Col. Morrison's lifelong
predictions and answering fidelity
to democratic principles. 1t wants
him to state unequivocally his posi-.
ton on the currency question. The
Chronicle is not alone in this de.
mand. either. The Springfield Reg
lister would also like to have him de.
fine himself. Both papers take di-
ametrically opposite views upon the
question at issue and no doubt both
expect Col. Morrison to express him.
self so rs to conform to their repec-
tive ideas.
II these papers are sincere in their
desire to promote the interests Of
the democratic party, they should
abandon their inquiries as regards
Col. Morrison on the financial ques'
ton at once. There has already beer
too much acrimony engendered in
the ranks of the Illinois democracy
over this matter. For some time the
party has been sadly divided and
disrupted. but lately we have beer
pleased to notice a spirit Of har
mony and Cancellation among the
various factions. There has been 6
desire manifested and efforts made
to get together, as it were, and act il
unison toward presenting Col. Nor
rison as Illinois candidate for tn,
presidency So far the harmonizinf
has progressed nicely and it will con
tinue to do so il the Chronicle will
desist in its ill-advised course.
Every democrat in Illinois should
heartily support Col. Morrison. Thu
nomination is coming west and ILL
nois can secure it il the local demo
Gratis do their duty. Col. Morrison'i
long years of service, his rugged
honesty aud inherent good sense is &
sufficient guarantee that he is MOI
tainted with heresies Of any kind
The ARGUS takes of its hat to Col
Morrison Is the favorite son of tn,
Illinois democracy.