The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-10
pailu argus.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE-
M0CRACY.


THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE.
M0CRACY.
Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
not to De found In splendid government sup
ported oy powerful monopolIes and sristocrstic
'aeiisnihents, but IN the language of our grea,
isadef, 1ackson,-''ln plain system, devoid OF
pomp, protecting ell, and granting favors to
none' dispensing its blessings like the dews OF
heaven, unseen and uDfelt, 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
dministration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prac
lice OF the virtues OF frugality, honesty, and de-
yotion to TIE ublic veal, to place the country
| again upon that course the pursuit of which can
alone render 1t for the ages come united, pros
porous and free.
| Kesotred, That we are in favor of free trad G
on prinepi lie, and while conceding the legality of
a tariff Tor revenue simply. We deneunee a pro-
tc:iye tariff IS not authorized under the federal
constitution, destructive of the best interests
| OF our people, and as enriehing the few at the
expense OF the many;
That we are op osed to monopolies and to
| substituting corporations by the of the peo-
pies money and the peoples lands;
That the bonds issued by the federal govern
except when otherwise explicitly provided by
Jaw
That we 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 be paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
such reductions of taxation as the necessities of
our people require, and to this end we insist
upon the s.rictest economy in public affairs, the
careful outstanding of the public resources, and
the rigid accountability Of ali public servants.
Resolred, 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 subyersion of the executive and
iudieia departments for par tisan ends, and to
he erection of consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system because it is
pied ed the policy of protection, which it has
enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
ten years to the continuance of enormous
and sggravating 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, To he
fostering of schemes of private ACKNOWLEDGEMENT /;
because it is extravagant, wRsteful and corrupt,
ustaining and sustained by ring legislation, its
most distinguished leaders unblushingIy open to
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of pr ncpls 1t Is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
| Resoiued, That. in view of the administration
| of our state affairs We declare that the pres
eut administration has been more reckless in ex-
| penditure of the public money than any that ever
yet exercised the power of the state, and proof
ot this need say nothing more than call the at
tenton of the taxpayers to the fact that the APP
| preparations of the last republican general
sembly have fGrcsd the auditor of state TO raise
| the levy of state taxes from six mills and five
I he, lie .ha Il .tla
these corrupt and proflgste expenditures that
| all this is done by the party in power while pro
| Tossing economy in the management of the pub
| lie business;
! That we opposed TO the present manage
ment of the state peniteutiary, which We declare
mas cost the taxpayers of the tate for the last
| three years nearly, If not quite Loco per day
| ana which enor nous sum we believe to have been
either squAndered or stolen by the persons in
charge OF the same; that this expeu diture aud
| should he avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
| kesoired, That the democratic party now as
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts OF
| the people everyw here to be free;
| That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies position of perpetual antag
| onsn toward the despotism of the world, "a
| position which the democrsy have no disposition
| to disAvow, but which, ON the contrary, they
| openly ack nowledge, and will unhesitatingiy
maintain
Thai he republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of Tree nations; that its
| people, endeared to US by traditional ties, have
! our sincere sympathies in their release from
| thra lldom: that commend the administration
| If the federal government for the recognition 81
| far accorded to the French republic, and demand
that the moral aid of it's support be given TO the
fullest extent in behalf of the rule of the people
| insugursted upon the overthrow of all imperial
dynasty;
! That the inhabitants of Germany have our
hea tiest good Wishes in their endenvor 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 emperor has given their sister state will
| De indicated IN their own persons, and grand
| German republic be the glorious result of their
efforts;
| That tine island of Cuba has long languished
ander the incubus of foreign despotism, and
every effort of this country should be bent TO the
attainment of its liberation. that its people m sy
! part4k Ike of that freedom for which they long,
| and share in our fortunes if they so elect;
| hat We are not upmindful of the people Of
| Ireland. and, fully recognizing the wrongs they
| have been called upon to endure, we trust that
! the tocsin of liberty now sounding has st uck
| the hour Of their redemption
That while thus declaring our unalterable
deter nina ion to require the whole weight of the
| government to be thrown in behalf of republican
institutions, 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 uu-
| worthy motives TO commit our nation to the
| cause o. any potentate claiming to rule peo
| ple by divine right.