The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-09-21
CoNTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

That the leading committees of congress-
have for years been organized in the interes
OF the money lords of the east and the tariff
and land piunderers, so as to secure 10 them
their coveted hordes;
That all these things are evidences of a
most alarming Generalization threatening
the very existence of republican institut-
ions.
These things are all notorious, and when
we assert them, we but ssseverate what has
been time and again proclaimed by every
independent republican paper in the coun-
try.
What position have our friends of
the republican party, here in convention
assembled, taken in regard to these out
RACES that are open and pal pable, and that
cry to the very heavens for redress?
We looked In vain into their platform for
one word OF condemnation, or even faint
promise of reformation
On the contrary, an effort is made to gid
these infamies, and sanctify these outrages,
by resolutions Mandatory of the very man
who have perpetrated these wrongs.
From the known and proclaimed views of
many mem bsrs of that convention, | did
expect, at least, to find bold and manly
denunciston of the tariff robberies, and a
protest sgains. their longer continuance
| did expect that members of congress
from Illinois would never again 90 into a
caucus and bind themselves to aid in the
election OF "a speaker who would organize
committees to parpetuate these iufamies
turn away with pain and sorrow TO find
that this party has dared to go to the couR
try without even promise of reformation or
redress
The tariff is not even mentioned by name,
and although the sixth resolution is evident
ly intended 20 concilate free traders and
tariff retormers, twill be found upon exam
nation to be most shameless fraud and
swindle. 1t must, of course, be constru cted
in connection with the context or other
portions of the platform. The platform
Endorsed fully the record OF the republican
party-that very party that enacted, built
up, and now continues this system OF
robbery 1t indorses the administration OF
President Grant, who notoriously went over
body and soul, to the tariff ring, and drove
from Office Commissioner Wells, the most
valuable officer in the whole government,
because he refused to become the tool and
do the bidding of the plunderers. 1t does
not condemn past or existing legislation,
and does not even promise any change of
reformation. 1t is one of those shutting
an sdulterous con IN ,tion men of the most
diverse professions who are willing to Co
operate together in deluding the people.
Let us look for moment at this resolu-
ton, and be certain that we do not misrep-
resent it. 1t reads:
"Resoiced, That as taxation is b precuu
larry burden, impressed by public authority
on the property of the people for the main
tsinsnee of government, the payment of its
debts, and the promotion OF the general
welfare, congress ought not to tax the
substance aud the earnings Of the citizen for
any other purpose than that above md Gated;
and that it is wrongful and oppressive to
enact revenue laws for the special advantage
OF one branch of business at the expense o!
another; and we hold that the best system
of protection to industry ia that which
imposes the lIghtest burdens and the fewest
restrictions on the property and business OF
the people"
This is all very fine, and interpreted from
a tree.trade stand point, is doubtless very
good. But as indicating the purposes or
policy OF a party upon the most important
now OF all living Issues, 1t is utterly worth
less The protectionist can drive q
carriage and four through a portion of it.
1t may be, and was intended to be, inter
preted TO suit the views of men of the most
diverse creeds.
If our republican friends intended TO
denounce this system Of wrong and robbery,
If they intended to reverse their action,
aud to refuse to cooperate in the organiza,
ton of the house and of committees, with
their allies in the east who have fastened
this system upon us,--if they intended to
decline being further used as the mere cats
nF Il d
why do they not say so plain and uneuuiyo
cal language? Why do they not tell US
what they think of existing tariff legislation,
and how far It cores ponds with the glitter
ing generalities of their sixth resolution
If they mean that a tariff for any purpose
other than revenue is robbery, and
violative of the very purpose of which
aovernme nts are instituted, why not say SO
in a voice that gives out no double sound?
Protectionists do not ad nit that protective
or prohibitory legislation is, in any Just
sense, q tax. They do not admit that
protective legislation is for "the special
advantage of one branch of business at the
expense of another" They do not admit
that protective legislation imposes any
burdens Or restrictions whatever on the
property Of business of the people. They
claim that this legislation is beneficial to
the whole country and every part thereof.
and many of its advocates doubtless believe
this. We know how unfounded in this
claim; but there is nothing in this resolu
ton, taken with its context, that Greeley, or
Morrill, of Vermont, or Morrell of Pensyvn
MA, or any other advocates of protection.
couio not interpret TO correspond with his
theories. Kelly, Of Pennsylvania. would
willingly mount this platform, and from it,
with his meiilfluous vnice, plead for a higher
tariff on iron, that the farmers of the west
may get better prices for their .,cha""
Beyond this resolution, there is no pre-
tence ola declaration of principle or purpose;
there is no allusion to the enormus land
grabs that have been perpetra,ed, and are
now impending. On all these other
outrsges heretofore alluded to, and the ten
thousand others. we have the silence of the
grave. This silence is ominous and alarm
ing. This platform is, | repeat, most
shameless evasion of oil the living issues,
and gives not the remotest hope of relief to
the people. They should rise up as one
man, and trampe beneath their feet, with
indIgnation, this miserable cheat.
There are in the republican party, all
over the country, thousands of as honest
1 men and as pure patriots as ever brsathed
ney 10 not. they cannot, approve, of the
measures l have been reviewing, or of
eVas've declarations in regard to their
purposes or principles. They desire an
honest and economical administration of
their government. They disapprove of
wasseful extravaganza, robbng tariffs, |
grinding taxation, and prohigate land
grants.
Many of these men know, admire. honor
and love. But we know the force Of nar,v
ties, and how hard it is to tear away from
those with whom we have acted in political
association. Most of these men must,
however, eventually cooperate with us.
For however honest and pure may be the
purpose of individuals, it is folly to expect
reformation in the confirmed policies and
practices of a dominant rsvtv Tho peonla