Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-05-05
Policy Ofrhe Democratic Par

~.
1t appears to he a matter Of c1nsidera>
bic inquiry on the part of the Abolitionists
to ascertain the policy of the Democratic
party. Various are the definitions and |
surmiscs, but as q general thing they are
wide from the mark.
We suppose that most people Of ordina~
ry Intelligence understand the does
triues and princi; les upon which the Demo
cratic party basis its policy.
Whenever the policy and principles of
the Democratic party come in question, it
is OILY necessary to refer to the resolutions
of their State and other conventions. as the
only reliable and legitimate exposition Ct
its views. At least we prefer that kind Of
test, rather than the exposition given by
the Abolition papers.
As far as we are advised the Democracy
of this State agree in the support of the
sentiments found 10 the resolutions of our
last State convention and in the platforms
of most Of the party organizations of the
various counties.
Hence the Democracy of Illinois stand
pledged that they will at all times and un>
der all circumstances, defend the constitu-
ton Of the United States and of the State
of Illinois. They also have pledged them
selves to protect the peace of society and
the just rights of all loyal law abiding citi-
zens, and that they will use every constitu
tional and proper means to restore our be
/ loved old Union as it was, under the con-
stituticn, with its guarantees, its privi-
leges and its blessings, as it is.
The Democracy of Illinois repudiate the
mOnstrous political hsresy, that the Presi-
dent possesses war powers as absolute astho
Gar Of Russia or that be has power to sus-
pend the constitution of the United States
if he deems it expedient as war measure.
The suspension Of the writ of haJeds cor
pas, the suppression Of the rights and free
dom of the press. the declaration Of martial
law in the States not in rebelion and where
the courts are uuobstructed, the arrest of
our citizens by military authority in yiola-
ton of the constitution OF our State and of
the United States and of the laws oe Con-
gress passed in pursuance thereof and
transporting them beyond the lim its Of the
| State, incarcerating them in military pris-
ons, denying them the right of speedy
and public trial and the right of being
heard in their defense, the division of the
State OF Virginia, the attempt to impose a
tax on the people to pay for emancipated
slaves, the issuing of the emancipation
proclamation, are regarded by the Democ-
racy of Illinois, as usurpations of power
and invasOns of sovereign rights, violative
of the constitution, tyrannical in their ex-
ercise and disorganizing in effect.
Relative to secret political military or
( CARNATIONS, or secret political organiza-
tions Of any kind whatever, and the union
Of Church and State, and the overthrowing
Of free government by uniting a fanatica
religion with politics, the opposition of the
Democracy is as fixed as ever.
And the Democracy Of Illinois are now,
as they always have been, in favor of main
tanning State rights iuyiolute, and are Ut
teFly opposed to division of the Union
either by Secessionists or Abolitionists.-
Hence they are in favor of putting down
the rebellion according to the constitution
and without the violations practiced and
advocated BY the dominant party.
Such is the policy and such are the sen
timents of the Democracy ofIllnois, which
they boldly promulgated during the cam
paign in 1862, and practically endorsed by
a majority of 10000, in the election to
Congress of Hon. james c. Allen. And as
there has been no State convention of the
party since that time, to define anew its
policy, We are compelled to hold that such
is the position of the Democratic party Of
this State at the present time.
And what is most gratifying, there is
remarkable agreement among Democrats of
all the loyal States upon the issues now
agitating the country. The Democracy o.
lllirois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio.
New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana, and
Iowa, and wherever ayowals have been
made through conventions, stand together
as one man in unfolding the constitution
in resisting the aggressions ofthe Admins
/ trat!On in the exercise of arbitrary power.
The enemies of the Democratic party
may be able TO quote an occasional express
sion of opinion by individual Democrats,
not in harmony with the policy of the party
as generally understood. but they cannot
show any difference amongst Democrats
upon the grea! issues which now separate
them from the supporters of the Admins
tratiOn, and which in 1864, will be the
means ola change of rulers in this country.
Thus, it is evident, the Democratic party
has policy, and that policy is bound to
/ triumph in the end
/ RS"The New York Sun gives an inter-
esting glimpse into the inner workings of
the LEAGUE" which is now occasioning
the consumption of so much paper and ink
in New York. 1t seems that there are two
Richmonds IN the feld-two "loyal," but
rival golden circles" each of which, by
! the terms Of its constitution cas.s the stiO