The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-01
;pailp ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE-
EnCRACV

AOCnAC1.
Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection Of their liberties are
not to be found in splendid government sup
ported by powerful nonopolies and aristocratic
establishments, but, in the language of our great
leader, Jackson,-''l a plain system, dovoid of
pomp, protecting all and granting favors to
none, dispensing its blessings like the dews of
heaven, unseen and untelt, save in the freshness
and beauty they contribute TO produce !" that il
is the mission of the democracy, in accordance
with ITS tne-honored prinei pies, to reinstate the
administration of the government in these It's
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prac-
toe oil the virtues Of frugaiity, honesty, anu de-
votiOn to tie Iublic veal to place the country
again upon that course tho pursuit of which can
alone render it for the ages to come united, pros
porous and free.
on principle and while conceding the legality of
tariff for revenue simply, We denounce q pro-
tic:ive tariff As not authorised under the federal
constitution, destructive Of the best interests
of our people, and as enriching the few at the
expense OF the many;
That We are OPP osed 20 monopoies 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
law;
That we are opposed to the present system of
nation al ban ks, and all legislation of every kind
which exaits capital 1t the expense OF the people
and the government
That the stional debt should be paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
such reduction of taxation as the necessities Of
our people req airs, and to this end we insist
upon the strictest economy In public affairs, the
careful outstanding of the pubic resources, and
the rigid accountability OF ali public servants.
Resoiued, That demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-bseause it stands committed
10 the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, TO the subversion of the executive Rnd
iudicia departments for partisan ends, ard to
he erection of d consolidated government upon
the rains of the federal system; because 1t Is
pledged to the policy of protection, which it has
enforced by oppressive Legislation for the last
ten years, to the continuance OF an enormous
and aggrRvating 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 extravsgant, wasteful and corrupt,
sustaining and fustained by ring legislation, its
most distinguished leaders unblushingly open to
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
of pr ncips it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Resoired, That, in view of the administration
of state affairs. we declare that the pres
ent administration has been more reckless in ex-
penditure of the public money than any that ever
yet exercised the power of the state, and in proof
of this need say nothing more THAN call the st
tention of the taxpayers to the fact that the APP
preparations of the last republican general
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 and profigate expenditures f; that
all this is done by the party in power while pro
lie business
That are opposed TO the present manage
Inent Of the state peniten tisry, which We declare
has cost the taxpayers of the state for 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 in
charge of the same; that this expenditure can and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesoired, That the democratic party now
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts of
the people everywhere to be free;
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies sposition of perpetus antag
onism tow ard the despotism of the world, "a
position which the demoersy have no disposition
to dissvow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will unhesitatingly
msintsin;
That the republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations; that its
people, ondeared to US by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathies in their release from
thrsldom; that commend the administration
OF the federal government TOR the recognition so
far accorded to the French republic, and demand
that 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 all imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
heartiest good wishes in their endeavor to bring
about united country; that We congratulate