Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-11-09
An Attempted victory Through sham.

IN many OF the states yesterday
through sham pure and simple The
war, its direct outcome and indi-
rect possibilities, was made the
object of the most shameful political
misrepresentation ever attempted in
this country. The assumption that
in order to brace up the administra-
ton in the disposition of the details
| of war adjustment and that complica-
| tions would arise were the country to
fail to elect congress of the same
political faith as the admins
| tration, was an admission so
humiliating to the nation that it
| merited the most unmistakable re-
| buke rather than the slightest evil
dence of encouragement. To uphold
| the war and its results is one thing,
to give the appearance of endorse
ment of whatever may come out of
the war is another. The nation has
shown TO the world that when en-
gagged in strife with foreign foe. po-
litical lines disappear. There is no
politics on the battle field, and the
patriotic devotion to country that the
democrats showed there was not to be
offset by the misinterpretation of an
election result. In the matter of war,
L DulltlS SDtsih lHslh Odl-
lots. and in the recent war the most
| glorious victories were attained un-
der the leadership of democratic chief
tains on land and sea.
| Nevertheless, the claims set up by
the republicans that the administra-
ton must have before the world the
appearance of the support of the bal
lot box or the satisfactory settlement
l L 4
he seriously hampered, had its effect.
This result was not so far extending
or significant as the republican man
ayers anticipated, nor could they find
in it the reward that the expenditure
of effort and money might have been
expected to accomplish. In gen
eral results it had its reward,
and considering this and the unjust
means that it involved, the democrats
succeeded beyond reasonable eXpecta-
tions in many of the states. They
were taken unfair advantage of, but
they battled bravely. They were
handicapped but they are still in the
ring. They fought and won the ma
tons battles, and while their Oppo-
nents are taking the glory. the salts
faction of what they did will abide
with them. What history has record
ed is imperishable.
And in the face of it all the demo-
Gratis, while losing in several states.
have probably won the lower house
of congress. They have made dis
tinct gains in the empire state, and
while Roosevelt has used his new war
military record to win out a political
victory-a very meagre victory-the
assembly is still in doubt.
The democrats captured Indiana by
a plurality of 20, 900, n victory equal
to Roosevelt's best estimate of his
Accomplishment in New York state.
In Illinois the democrats have made
remarkable gains. They have re-
buked the Tanner administration and
all that it implies, have returned
IL out of % &ongressmen, re-
deeming some of the most
important districts in the state. prom
kinent among which are the Quincy
Idistrict, wherein Joseph Roy defeated
Congressman Marsh. and the Spring
field district, the old Springer district,
where Ben +. Caldwell recovered the
district in the face of the most ire
mendous odds that could be pitted
against him. The democrats will
control the next lower house by six
majority, and will control its organi-
zatioD.
In Illinois the democrats have in
fact attained a remarkable victory.
not only on the congressional
and legislative candidates and
| in the control of the lower
house, but on tie state ticket, and
this co needing that it is an of year
when the maiOrities of the party in
power are apt to be materially re-
duced. Think of scaling a plurality
of 1850 which Tanner had two
wears ago, and 141. 600 by which Nc
KinIey carried the state two years ago,
down toa meagre $4,000, Is not that
pretty good democratic gain for you
any way you may look At it?
The leaders on the state ticket. Mil
lard f. Dunlap and Prof Perry o.
Silver. made n gallant fight, and the
outlook is that they have won in Cook
county. And while they have lost in
the state, much of the success of the
democrats in general respects is due
to the magnificent canvass conducted
by these candidates.
Taking it all in all the democrats
have no reason to feel discouraged
over the political results of the day.
They did well under adverse circum-
stances, and will be stronger than
ever when the next election rolls
around.
There are plenty of cheaper brands
of coffee than IT. & I. brand; but
E. q