Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-05

sive, have been in the front line of an
advancing column for years.
Most of the presidential candidates
this year are running counter to their
previous record or to the history and
declarations OF their parties One
imagines himself to be the only ideal
and genuine progressive; and yet,
with his rash declarations, coarse Ian
guage and pugilistic manner, he has
seriously retarded the cause of real
progressive political reform. With
the voice of a boss, he drives toward
reforms which he could not even dis
cover in the days when they needed
a friend; but now, after the battle has
been largely fought, and the victory
is coming in sight, he shouts so loud
that the real progressives are not
heard. He fights against reforms that
he accepted when they were new and
promised to be popular. He discred-
us his own judgment by asserting the
iucapacity of the man he appointed
for the presidency for an interval, and
curses the same old steam roller that
. re oiled and delivered TO his lieutenant
.
awful sin TO steal a few delegates, but
the height of craftsmanship to steal
the entire presidency from the man to
whom he so graciously presented it.
. He searches the scriptures carefully TO
/ find Thou Shalt Not Steal but over
locks entirely the man who 'Sweareth
to His Own Hurt and Changeth Not
lie gives his most sacred promise not
70 accept the nomination for third
term and then decides that nothing but
a third term will save the country.
( Verify, the way of the topper is hard.
Another candidate confesses great
concern for the stability and dignity
cf the country and party but by his
bulldog pertinacity in insisting on a
denomination that the people did not
want to bestow, he has endangered the
party and seriously disturbed the coun-
try. In the name of peace, he has
Joined in an Unseemly scramble for
Office. He has been provoked by an
unfair competitor into an undignifed
campaign and has contributed much
toward making politics huge joke in.
stead Of sacred trust.
NEED OF PARTY.
We still insist that this reform
must be secured by the ordinary, estab-
lished method of American govern
ment. q political party. Every great
reform in our history has been first
party question and every effort to
keep It out of party has only hindered
and delayed its final settlement. We
have had parties administering
the government from its foundation,
almost continuously. The only ap-
parent interval without parties was a
part of Monroe's administration when
we had no politics. There were no
questions to be settled and Of course
no political parties were necessary;
but as soon as great questions arose,
then parties were organized for the
purpose OF settling them.
HOPE TOO LONG DEFERRED"
The political field is so barren of
real issues that multitudes are turning
u US TO find a question of moral and
national significance. They are for
saking the hope SO long deferred, that
one Of the larger parties will grapple
future. The new party has already
shown it's fear of this question as
manifested by the sneering answer of
Mr.. Roosevelt 10 a man who asked,
What about the liquor traffic" oh,
go and join a primary school VIII
the scholarly men and women who
have anxiously waited for some ray
OF hope submit TO this insult and con-
, tinue TO blindly follow this blind, but
selfsatisfied leader?
The non-partlsan method has dis
, appointed all but its most interested
- advocates; and thus the real reform
, err OF the land are turning 10 US in
large numbers as the only hope OF
real progress. They are learning that
We are not a party of one idea, but a
| company OF honest, intelligent and
, conscientious men, not merely striv-
! ing for one great moral issue, but this
! year as in all our past history. broad
+ enough TO grapple with every great
y. issue in present day politics, and our
= platform will commend itself to the
: intelligent voters OF the land as en-
: tirely up-to-date and progressive in ev
= cry respect.
+ II accept this nomination with a
clear recollection Of what 1t means in
effort and sacrifice. and possibly dan
Z ger; but having been so supported by
4 the party and the people and SO led
D by Divine Providence that ! came
= safely through the strenuous work OF
4 four years ago, ] shall go forward
c trusting for better support, a larger
vote and a more triumphant campaign
y And trust that the voters OF the ma
a ton will at least give us their ears
: and yield a respectful attention while
g We present TO them the claims OF our
c party.
e With kindest feelings and deepest
: gratitude to my friends and fellow
2 townsmen for this tribute OF respect
r With assurance OF loyalty 10 the ma
E tional organization, and with a full
I dedication 70 the work. l go forward
with hope and trust for vigorous and
I successful campaign"
, Trustees Sale.
= BY virtue OF q decree OF the circuit
! court shall on the 10th day of Sep
- - .