The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-14
pailp argus.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE.
AOCRACY

| AVCdhCI.
| Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people ana the protection of their liberties are
not TO be found IN aspiendid government sup
ported oy powerful monopoles and aristocratic
establishments, but, IN the language of our great
leader, Jaekson,-''In plain system, devoid of
Pomp, protesting all, and granting tavors 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 accord q noe
with ITS tlme-honored prneiple to reinstate the
administration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prac
tlee OF the virtues OF frugalny, honesty, ana de-
| vutlon to tae iublic veal, to place the country
| again upon that eourse the pursuit of which can
alone render 1t for the ages come united, pros
porous and free.
| Rssotred, That in favor of free trade
on principle, and while conceding the legality of
i tariff tor revenue simply, We denounce a pro-
ticiIve tariff as not authorized under the fe deral
| constitution, destructive of the best interests
| of our people, and as enriching the few at the
| expense OF the many;
That we are op osed TO monopoes and to
| subsidizlng corporations by the of the pe0-
| pes money and the peoples lands
| That the bonds issued by the federal govern
| ment should be subjected 10 the federal taxation
except when otherwise explicitly provided by
| aw;
| tHkt we opposed 10 present system oil
nation al banks, ana 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 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 ali public servants
kesotUed, That demand the overthrow OF
| the party III power-beeause it stands committed
the destruction of the leg itmate rights OF the
| state, to the subversior of the executive and
ludieia departments for partisan ends, and 70
| che erection Of "a consolidated government upon
| the ruins of the federal system because il is
pledged to the policy of protection, which 1t has
| enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
| ton years, to the continuance of an enormous
| md aggravating system of internal revenue
| taxation, to the postpOnement OF the payment
| II the national debt. to the wholesale surrender
10 the spectators of the public lands to he
| fostering of schemes OF private aggrandizemeDt
lecsuee II Is extTavsgant wsstetul and corrupt,
ustaiuing and sustained by ring legislation, its
uost distinguished leaders unblusbingly open to
| bribery and using the power of their official
| positions for private purposes because, desti-
tue of pr ncple, il is held together solely by the
| cohesive power of public plumber.
| Kesoieed, That, in view of the administration
Of our own state affairs we declare that the pres
penditure of the public money than any thstever
yet exercised the power of the state, and in proof
81 this We need say nothing more than cal! the at
IGNITION of the taxpayers TO the fact that the ap
| preparations of the last republican general
sembIy have forced the auditor of state u raise
| the levy of state taxes from mills and five
tenths 10 thirteen mills on the dollar, TO meet
| these corrupt and Urofgate expenditures that
AL this is done by the party in power while pro
iessing economy in the management of the pub
| c business;
| That we are opposed TO the present manage
| ment OF the state peniteutisry, which declare
1as cost the taxpayers of the ,tste for the last
hree years nearly, If not quite ! 200 per day,
| md which enormous sum We believe TO have been
| ,ither suuaudered OF stolen by the persons IL
charge OF the same; that this expe; diture and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
| kesotred, That the democratic party now
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts of
| he people every W here to be free
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies position of perpetnalantsg-
onism toward the despotism of the world,
| position which the democray have disposition
| to disavow, hut which, on the contrary, they
openly Acknowledge and viii unhesitatingly
| maintain;
Thatthe republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations; that it,
| people, endeared to us by traditional ties. have
I
Ihralldom; that we commend the administration
f the federal government for the recognition so
far accorded to the French republic, and demand
that the moral aid of lie support be given to the
fullest extent in behalf ofthe rule of the people
Insuguratsd upon the overthrow OF all imperial
tynasty;
That the inhabisants OF Germany have our
heartiest good wishes in their endesvor TO bring
.bout a un tied country that We congratulate
them on their gallant conduct in the pending
a,if 81 hat def a.
If 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
Inder the incubus of foreign despotism, and
every effort of this country should he bent to the
attainment of its liberal ion, that its people m az
| Dartske of that free dom for which they long,
and share IN our fortunes if they elect;
hat are not unmindful Of the people OF
| Ireland, and, fully recognizing the wrongs they
have been called upon to endure, We trust that
he tocsin of liberty now sounding has st uck
the hour of their redemption; /
That, while thus declaring unalterabe
deter nina ion TO require the whole weight of the
government TO be thrown in behalf of republican
institutions s, 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 IN
worthy motives, TO commit our nation to the
cause o. any potentate claiming to rule peo
Pile by divine right.
1