The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-07
glailD ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF TIE ILLINOIS DE.
HOCRAcY


| NOCRAcY.
Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection Of their liberties ar,
not to be found in . splendid government SUD.
ported by powerful monopoIles and .ristoerntis
establishments, but, in the language of our prea,
1 leader, Jackson,-"In a plain system, devoid O,
pomp, protecting eli, and granting favors to
none, dis oensit its blessings like the dews OF
heaven, unseendRd unfeit, save In the freshness
ana beauty they contribute To produce :" that i,
Is the mission OF the democracy, in accordance
Win ITS tlme-honored principles to reinstate the
aom ihlstration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prsc
toe OF the virtues of frugaIity, honesty, anu de-
| 'otion 10 tse ublic veal, to place the country
again upon that course the pursuit of which can
alone render 1t for the ages come united, pros
porous and free.
Essotred, That we are in favor of free trad G
on principle, and while conceding the legality Of
tariff Tor revenue simply, We aeneunee q pro-
tic:ve tariff rs not authorized 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 op osed to monopolies and to
substituting corporations by the use of the peo-
pes 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 rational debt should be paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
such reduction of taxation as the necessities OF
our people reg aire, 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.
kesotred, That demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-because it stands committed
to the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversion of the executive and
iudicia departments for par tisan ends, and to
he erection of consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system; because 1t Is
pledged to the policy of protection, which 1t has
enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
ten years, to the continuance OF an enormous
and eggravating 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 sggrandizement /;
because II Is extravagant, vssteiul and corrupt.
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, its
most distinguished leaders unblushingly open to
oriber, and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of pr nopie il is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Resoired, That, in view of the administration
| of our own state affairs we declare that the pres
ent administration hiss been more reckless in p
penditure of the public money than any that ever
yet exercised the power of the state, and 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
| sembiy 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
| thsre corrupt and profIgate expenditures that
all this is done by the party in power while pro
Teasing economy in the management of the pub
| lie business;
| That we are opposed to the present manage
men; of the state penirentisry, which we declare
! has cost the taxpayers of the state Tor the last
| three wears nearly, If not quite, : GOO per day
| and which enor nous sum we believe to have been
either squandered or stolen by the persons il
charge of the same; that this pei diture and
should he avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
! kesotred That the democrati, party now as
ever profoundly sympathiEes with the efforts o.
| the people everyw here to be free;
| That the great republic of the United State,
necessarily occupies position of perpetual antag
| onIsm toward the despotism of the world, u
| post ton which the demo crsy have NO disposition
| TO disavow, but which, the contrary they
| openly sec uowlsdge, and will unhesitatln Il =
maintain;
Thatthe republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations that it'
people, endeared to Us by traditional ties, hav'
| our sincere sympathies in their release from
| thraldom: that we commend the administration
| # the federal government for the recognition 81
| fan 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
| iusugurated upon the overthrow of all imperia
| dynasty;
! That the inhabitants of Germany have our
hesr test good wishes IN their endeavor TO bring
| about united country that we congratulate
| them on their gallant conduct in the pending
war, and trust that the liberty which the detss
| of the emperor has given their sister state viii
! be indicated in their own persons, snda grand
| German republic be the glorious result Of theil
efforts;
| That the island of Cuba has long ianguisheC
| ander the incubus of foreign despotism, anC
every effort Of this country should he bent to tn,
attainment of lite liberation. that its people
part Ike of that free dom for which they long
| and share in our fortunes if they so elect;
| hat we are not unmindful of the people %
! Ireland and fully recognizing the wrongs they
| have been called upon TO endure, We trust thai
the tocsin of liberty now sounding has st ucI
the hour of their redemption:
That, while thus declaring unalterabls
determine ion TO require the whole weight Of ;ht
/ government to be thrown in behalf of republican
| institutions, we protest against this country be
| ing drawn into taking sides in the qUarrels o.
| despots and condemn the leaders Of the op
! position for their desperate attempts. from un
worthy motives, to commit our nation to the
/ cause . any potentats claiming to rule pco
| pie by divine right.