Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-09

mental policies. Ill 1t be true that
abuses have crept in, that We are uIi-
der the curse of class legislation, that
public moneys have been squandered,
and humorous experiments substituted
tration, then the imperative necessity
for change can not be gainsaid.
For this important fact must not be
forgotten, that no political party ever
has been, or is now, capable of correct
ing the governmental abuses for which
it alone is responsible. To do SO is
condemnation { itself. The correc-
Ition must be By those who have had
no part or lot in their creation. A sig
nificant illustration of this fact is found
in the postoffice frauds. A few years
ago the country was startled by eX-
posures in the great post6ffice depart
ment involving high officials, and dis
closing the loss of large sums to the
public treasury. And yet, when an at
tempt was made by the democratic
investigation, to the end that punish
ment should be melted out to the guilty,
whether high or low, the resolution for
such investigation was defeated by a
strict party vote. This gives emphasis
to the statement that governmental
by the party solely responsible for
| their existence. 1t emphasizes the fact
so clearly discerned by the founders of
the government of the necessity for
frequent changes in the administration
to the end that abuses be corrected
and the needed reform inaugurated.
Not Personal Question.
I'm the presidential contest now pend
ting no question OF the personal char,
acter of the candidates is involved
Moreover, no intelligent man believes
| for moment that whatever the re-
| suit, the legitimate business interests
| of the country will be seriously i'm.
paired In political struggles of the
past we have had enough and to spare
along the line of personal vilification
and of affected apprehension that the
majority of the American people would
deliberately imperil their own welfare
| Whatever betide, the government will
endure. 1t is the common heritage OF
| all.
| mo party has a monopoly upon pa
triotism. 1t would bode ill to the coun
! try indeed if such were the fact. The
rains will continue to fall alike upor
the just and the unjust, and at the ap
pointed season seed time and harves
will come with their wonted regularity
And all this, however, whoever may be
elected president. In the providence
of God there are some occurrences il
| the material world for which politica
parties are neither responsible nor en-
titled to any need of praise. There i:
a power higher than human admins
tration that regulates the moisture ant
the sunshine, by means of which the
fruits of the earth are scarce or abund
ant. | have never heard that the dem
ocratic party claimed credit for condi
lions however favorable that were the
result of causes put in operation onl!
by the guiding hand of the Almighty.
| Time for Calm Discussion.
| "The fact remains, however, that the
present contest is one of deep momen
to the American people. There is lit
tie party excitement, and the time i!
iauspicious for calm discussion and the
IeXercise of deliberate judgment. Con
ditions change with time. A question
seemingly vital in one contest may b.
the stern logic of events become ;
dead issue by the time the succeeding
campaign is inaugurated. Political par
ties are compelled of necessity to dea
with living issues, and let the deat
past bury its dead
Leaves for Peoria.
Chicago, Sept. 9.-W. J. Bryan lief
for Peoria this morning over the Rocl
Island road. He was accompanied b,
members of the national committee
who will attend the state convention
with him. Speeches will be made a
towns along the road from the ca
platform.
Parker to Be Host to Bryan.
i Chicago, Sept. 9.-National Chair
man Mack today announced Bryal
would be the guest of Alton B. Parke
at the latter's home at Esopus. N. Y
Sunday, Sept. 20, and will spend tina
night with David &. Hill at "Wolfert'
Roost." Mack said it was quite pos
: sible politics will be discussed. Mex
; Sunday Bryan will be the guest @