The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-05
paup ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF TIE ILLINOIS De
EOCRACY.


Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection Of their liberties are
not to be found in u splendid government sup-
ported by powerful monopolies and aristocratic
establishments, but, In the language of our great
leader, Jackson,-''ln a plain system, devoid of
pomp, protecting sill, and granting favors to
none, dispensing its blessings like the dews of
heaven, unseen and %unfelt, 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 tine prac-
tiee OF the virtues of frugality, honesty, anu de-
votion to the public veal, to place the country
again upon that course the pursuit OF which can
alone render it for the ages 20 come united, pros
porous and free.
kssotped, That We are in favor of free trade
on principle, and while conceding the legality of
a tariff for revenue simply, We denounce a pro-
~tic:ive tariff rs not authorized under the federal
constitution, as destructive of the best interests
of our people, and as enriehing the few at the
| expense OF the many;
That we are OPP 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
law;
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 be paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
such reduction of taxation as the necessities of
our people require, 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 all public servants.
Resotred, That We demand the overthrow OF
tho Va - ~ 90 kARA nEn re ats N n = an IN IN
to the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversiou of the executive and
judicia departments for partisan ends, and to
the erection of u consolidated government upon
the rains of the federal system because it 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 sggrayating 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 d to the
fostering Of schemes of private aggrandizement
because it is extravagant, wastetul and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, it's
most distinguished leaders unblushingly open TO
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of pr nciple, it Is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Resoieed, That, in view of the administration
of our own state affairs, we declare that the pres
ent administration has been mors reckless in ex-
penditure of the public money than any that ever
yet exercised the power of the state, and in proof
of this we need say nothing more than call the at
tention of the taxpayers to the fact that the APP
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 and prohigate expenditures that
ell this is done by the party in power while pro-
Tossing economy in the management of the pub
lie business;
That we are opposed to the present manage
ment OF the state penitentisry, which we declare
has cost the taxpayers of the state for the last
three years nearly, if not quite, 81, goo 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.
kesolred, That the democratic party now as
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts of
the people every " here to be free;
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies q position of perpetualantsg-
onism toward the despotism of the world, "a
position which the democray have no disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will unhesitatingly
maintain;
Thatthe republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations; that its
people, endeared to us by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathies in their release from
thralldom; that we commend the administration
of the federal government for the recognition so
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
inaugurated upon the overthrow of all imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
hesrtiest good wishes in their endeavor TO bring
about a united country that we congratulate
them on their gallant conduct in the pending
war, and trust that tho liberty which the defeat
of the emperor has given their sister state will
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 liberation. that it's people may
partake of that freedom for which they long, |
and share in our fortunes if they so elect;
That we are not unmindful 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
determination to 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 we 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 a peo-
pie by divine right. |