The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-04
pailp ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE
kOCRACY

Resolred, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
not to be found in q splendid government sun
ported by powerful monopoes and sfistoeratic
establishments, but, i'll the language of our great
leader, Jackson,-'ln plain system, devoid OF
pomp, protecting all, aud granting favors to
none, dispensing its blessings like the dews of
heaven, unseen aud unfeit, save in the freshness
and beauty they contribute to produce :" that il
Is the mission of the democracy in accordance
WIN Its ime-honored prinei pies, TO reinstate the
administration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the przc
toe OF the virtues of frugality, honesty and de-
votion 10 the ublic veal, TO place the country
| again upon that course the pursuit of which can
alone render 1t for the ages TO come united pros
porous and free.
| Rssoired, That we are in favor of free trad e
on principle lie, and while conceding the legality of
| tariff Tor revenue simply, We denounce pro-
tic;ive tariff as not authorized under the federal
constitution, destructive of The best interests
of our people, and enrichpg the few at the
expense OF the many;
That we are OPP osed to monopoles and to
substituting corporations by the 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 he paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
such reduction of taxation as the necessities of
our people req sire, and to this end we insist
upon the strietest economy in public affairs the
careful outstanding of the public resources, and
the rigid accountability of ali public servants
Resoired, That we demand the overthrow OF
81 ~ ataya dc Tad
to the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversion of the executive and
judoia departments for partisan ends, and to
the erection of a consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system because il Is
pied ged to the policy of protection, which 1t has
enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
ten years, to the continuance OF an enormous
and sggravatng 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 Ian is, an to he
fostering of schemes of private ACKNOWLEDGEMENT;
because it is extravsgaut, wasteful and corrupt,
sustaining 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-
ute of pr ncipls, it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Res0tred, That. in view of the administration
of our own state affairs declare that the pres.
ent administration has been more reckless in
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 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 prohgate 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 are opposed to the present manage
| ment 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, 900 per day
anu which enormous sum we believe to have been
either suuandered or stolen by the persons in
charge OF the same; that this expenditure and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesoire{, That the democratic party now as
ever profoundly sympathizes with the eflorteOf
the people everywhere To be free;
Tnat the great republic of the United States
| necessarily occupies apostion of perpetual antag
onism toward the despotism of the world, "a
position which the DEMOCRACY have no disposition
TO disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will uuhesitatingly
maintain;
Thatthc 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
ralldom; that commend the administration
Of the federal government for the recognition so
far accorded to the French republic, and demand
that the moral aid of les support be given To the
fullest extent in behalf ofthe rule of the people
inaugurated upon the overthrow OF sill imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
heartiest good wishes in their endesvor to bring
about united country that we congratulate
them on their gallant conduct in the pending