Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-05
Democratic victory? Howo

DemocF80c bhctory! how!
Ante-presidential and ante-guberna-
torial election fermentation has begun
in Illinois and throughout the nation.
"Favorite sons" are being "groomed,"
bosses and bell wethers" are lining up
their respective forces, organizations
are beginning to mend fences. the per
functory platitudes OF party solidarity
are heard on the democratic side inter
mingled with charges of hopeless dis
cord among republicans. "Standpat"
republicans are making g careful
check-up on their strength Progress
sive" republicans are looking for lead
ers, planning a series Of first guns"
and democrats are holding love feasts
in celebration of recent victories, while
those assembled will give far more at
tention to what they think they can win
in the future than what they have
achieved IN the past.
This is all very interesting. but If the
Illinois State Register misses not its
guess, the approaching battles Will not
be decided altogether on party lines.
LCHtOCIANA 10 III tuC Gil, Jul
this condition must be considered open
ly and honestly. Illinois may elect a
democratic governor. The opportunity
is here. A democratic president may
be elected. That opportunity is also
at hand, but just 50 sure as an attempt
is made by democrats to win on plati-
tudes, highsounding promises or jeers
at the divided republican ranks. those
opportunities will have been rejected.
The "favorite son" hoax has become
a laughing stock long since. The plat
itudinous cry of republican discord"
will fool no one but those who think il
potential.
The people of the state OF Illinois and
the people of the United States were
never so alert, never so well posted
upon vital issues, never so Indifferent
10 the old political methods, and never
so determined to repudiate party or
CARNATIONS which do not stand four
square for the vital principles of the
hour as now.
This may not fall upon the ears of
some of those so-called wheel horses"
of the organization chariots in such
manner as to bring a response of ap-
proval from them. The pie counter
patriots whose activities are actuated
more by a determination to get some
thing for themselves than achieve
something for the masses will frown
upon such suggestions as these, but If
democratic victory is 10 be achieved it
must be done with fundamental prin-
ciples as the rule and guide of action,
and with men as candidates who are
chosen not for what they have done for
not for what organizations
have done for them, not for the labels
they wear, but for the principles they |
have personified in the present marvel |
GUS evolution Of American politics.
Candidates will be measured not by |
their labels, not by promises made for |
them, not for the banquets given in |
their honor, not by their abilities as /
but by their sympathy with |
the whole people in the present great !
against special privilege.
Candidates must be men whose rec
ords are clean and who give absolute !
assurance that their Official conduct. !
like their records, will be above re-
proach.
Candidates must be men who stand |
out boldly and fearlessly in unQuestior- |
ed advocacy of democratic principles, /
and whose position upon those princi- |
pies and their records OF defense of |
those principles are so unmistakable /
that the agents Of special privilege in /
both parties will oppose them. II we
are to have democratic victory in Illi- |
nois II must be a peoples victory and !
not a politicians victory Likewise !
must the national victory be thus |
achieved if it is TO be won at all.
The opportunity is here There's !
only one way 70 take advantage OF il /
and that is by getting close to the !
people. Not the party closest to the !
barrel will win this time. but the
closest to the people