The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-01
Dailp Argus.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE-
NOCRACY

Resotoed, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
not to be found IN q splendid government sup
ported by powerful monopOlIes and aristocratic
estaoiishments, but, in the language of our great
leader, Jackson,-"ln plain system, devoid of
ponp, protecting all, and granting favors to
none, disoensing its blessings liz e the dews OF
heaven, unseen and unfeit, save in the freshness
and beauty they contribute to produce :" that il
IS the mission of the democracy in accordance
with its time-honored principles, to reinstate the
administration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prsc
tiee OF the virtues of frngality honesty, and de-
voton to the ublie veal, to place the country
again upon that course the pursuit of which can
alone render it for the ages to come united, pros
porous and free.
Rssotred, That we are in favor of free trad lie
on priueip e, and while conceding the legality of
tariff for revenue simply, We denSunce a pro-
tic:ive tariff not authorized under the federal
constitution, destructive of the best interests
of our people, and 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 and the peoples lands
That the bonds issued by the federal govern
ment should be subjected TO the federal taxation
except when otherwise explicitly provided by
Jaw;
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 be paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
such reduction of taxation as the necessities of
our people req iire, and to this end we insist
upon the strictest economy in public affairs. the
careful outstanding of the public resources, and
the rigid accountability of ali public servants.
Resoiued, That we demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-because it stands committed
to the destruction of the legitimate rights OF the
state, to the subversion ofthe executive ana
udica departments for partisan ends, and to
he erection of q consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system; because IT Is
Piled ged to the policy of protection. which II bias
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, an to The
fostering of schemes of private ACKNOWLEDGMENT;
because it is extravaganza, wssteful and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation. its
most distinguished leaders unblushDgly open TO
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of pr ncpls it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Res0lred, That, in view of the administration
of our state affairs we declare that the pres
ent administration has been more reckless in ex-
penditure of the public money than any thstsv
vet exercised the power of the state and in proof
of this need say rothing more than call the at
| tenton of the taxpayers to the fact that the ap
| preparations of the last republican general as
| sembly have forced the auditor of state to raise
| the levy of state taxes from six mills and five
| tenths to thirteen mills on the dollar, to meet
| these corrupt snd profigate expenditures that
all this is done by the party in power while pro-
| Fa.s in he n m Mt q the nj h.
| lie business
| That we are opposed to the present manage
ment of the state penitentisry, which We declare
ha, cost the taxpayers of the stste for the last
three years nearly, if not quite, $1,000 per day
! and which enormous sum we believe TO have been
either squ.ndered or stolen by the persons in
charge OF the same; that this expeL diture and
should he avoided, and the prison made self
| supporting
keselred, That the democratic party now al
ever profoundly sympsthizes with the efforts o
the people every here to be free;
| That the great republic of the United States
uec. sssrly occupies position OF perpetual an'ag
onism toward the despotism of the world, -
position which the democray have no disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, the,
openly acf noElsdge, and Will unhesItatlngl,
maintain;
welcome into the family of free nations; that If
people endeared to n by traditional ties hav'
our sincere sympathies In their release iron
tbra iidom; that We commend the administrator
Of the federal government for the recognition 81
far accorded to the French republic, and demant
that the moral aid Of its support be given TO tn
fullest extern, in behslf of the rule of the peop
inaugurated upon the overthrow of all imperia
dynasty;
That the Inhabitants of Germany have on
heartiest good wishes in their endcnvor to orini
about a united country; that we congratulat
| them on their gallant conduct IN the pending
war and trust that the liberty vhlch the detes
| of the emperor has given their sister state vii
| be indicated in their own persons, and a gran
| German republic be the glorious result OF thei
| efforts:
| That the island of Cuba has long languishe
1nder the incubus OF foreign despotism, an
every effort of this country should he bent 20 tn
attainment of its liberia ion. that its people m a
partske of that freedom for which they long
and share N our fortunes if they SO elect;
hat we are not unmindful of the people
Ireland, and, fully recognizing the wrongs the
have been called upon to endure,w trust ths
the tocsin of liberty now sounding has st nc
the hour of their redemption;
That while thus declaring our unalterabl
deter nina ion TO require the whole weight of III
government to he thrown in behalf of repuhlics
institutions, protest against this country be
ling drawn into taking sides in the quarrels
despots and condemn the leaders of the ~
position for their desperate attempts, from Ut
worthy motives, TO commit nation to ii
cause o any potentate claiming to rule pei
pie by divine right.