The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-09-23
qailp ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE.
KOCRACY.

AUChACY.
Resoloed, That the happiness of the American
people ana the protection OF their liberties are
not TO De found in Asplendid government sup
ported by powerful mOnopolles and aristocr.tic
esta but, In the language of our great
ie"der, Jackson,-''ln plain system, devoid OF
pomp, protecting all, and granting favors to
none, dispensing its blessings lie the dews OF
heaven, unseen aud unfelt, save in the freshness
and beauty they contribute TO produce :" that il
Is the mission OF the democracy, in accordance
with Its tlme-honored principles, to reiDstate the
administration of the government in these its
ancient ways and, by the restoration Of the prsc-
toe OF the virtues Of frugality, honesty, and de
votIon to the ublic veal, to place the country
again upon that course the pursuit of which can
alone render it for the ages come united, pros
porous and free.
Rssotred, That we in favor of free trad c
on principle, and while conceding the legality OF
a tariff for revenue simply, We deneunce a pro-
tic:iye tariff as not authorized under the federal
constitution, destructive of he best Interest,"
of our people, and as enriching the few at the
expense of the many;
That We are op osed to monopolies and to
substituting corporations by the use of the peo-
pies money AM the peoples lands;
That the bonds issued by the federal govern
ment should be subjected TO the federal tn Ration
except when otherwise explicitly provided by
Jaw
That we are opposed to the present system of
nation al banks and all legislation of every kind
which exalts capital at the expense of the people
and the government;
That the national debt should he paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent win
such reduction of taxation as the necessities OF
our people req sire, and to this end we insist
upon the strictest economy in public affairs. the
careful outstanding Of the public resources, and
fha h of Ali
Resoiued, That we demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-because it stands committed
to the destruction of the legitimate rightsof the
state, to the subversion of the executive and
udicia departments for partisan ends, and to
, he erection of a consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system; because it Is
pledged to the policy of protection, which it bas
enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
ten years. to the continuance of an enormous
and aggrAvating system of internal revenue
taxation, to the postponement of the payment
of the national debt, to the wholesale surrender
to the spectators of the public lands, ar to he
fostering of schemes of private aggrandigement;
because it is extravagant, vastsful and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, its
most distingui. he'd leaders unbius bingly open TO
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of pr ncips, it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Resofred, That, in view of the administration
of our own state affairs we declare that the pres
ent administration has been more reckless in ex-
penditure of the public money than any thstever
yet exercised the power of the state, and in prof
of this we need say othing more than call the at
tentiOn of the taxpayers to the fact that the ap-
preparations of the last republican general as
sembly have fOrcad the auditor of state to raise
he levy Of state taxes from six mills and five
tepths TO thirteen mills the dollar, to meet
thaGa nj nd ,Oate hat
all this is done by the party in power while pro
Teasing economy in the mana cement of the pub
lie business;
That we are opposed to the present manage
ment Of the state peniteDtisry, which we declare
has cost the taxpayers of the tate tor the last
three years nearly, if not quite, 81 600 per day,
and which enormous sum we believe to have been
either squandered or stolen by the persons III
charge OF the same; that this pet diture and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesolred. That the democratic party now az
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts of
the people every W here to be free;
Tnst the great republic of the United States
ssarIly occupies position of perpetual an sg
onism toward the despotism of the world, "a
position which the Semoersy have no disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acsnoWledge, and wil unhesitatlngv
maintain.
welcome into the family OF free nations; that It'
people endeaTed to us by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathies In their release from
tbra IIdom: that we commend the administration
f the federal government for the recognition so
f II accorded to the French republic, and demand
at the moral aid of its support be given to the
fullest extent in behalf Of the rule of the people
inaugurated upon the overthrow OF I'll imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
heSrtiest good wishes in their endeavor to bring
about united country; that we congratulate
them on their gallant conduct IN the pending
war, and trust that the liberty which the defeat
of the eupero or has given their sister state will
be indicated in their persons. and q grand
German republic be the glorious result of their
efforts;
That the island of Cuba has long languished
under the Incubus of foreign despotism, and
every effort of this country should be bent TO the
attainment of its liberia ion. that its people may
parta ke of that freedom for which they long,
and share in our fortunes if they so elect;
hat we are not unmlndful of the people of
Ireland, and, fully recognizing the wrongs they
have been called upon to endure. we trust tt
the tocsin of liberty now sounding has ST uck
the hour Of their redemption
That. while thus declaring our unalterable
deter ID in ion require the whole weight of the
government to be thrown in behalf of republican
institutions, we protest against this country be
ing drawn into taking sides in the quarrels Of
despots and condemn the leaders of the OPP
position for their desperate attempts, from IN
worthy motives, to commit our nation TO the
cause % any potentate claiming to rule peo-
pl e by divine right.