The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-20
Daily ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE-
HOCRACY

4OCRACY.
Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
no. to Do found IN splendid government sup
ported by powerful monUpvlies and stlstucralic
staoiisnments, but, IN the language OF our great
isader, 'ackson,-''In II plain system, devoid OF
pomp, protecting all, and granting favors to
none, dls 2ensing its Dressings HAe the dews OF
heaven, unseen and unfelt, save IN the freshness
and beauty they contribute to produce :" that it
is the mission of the democracy, in accord snce
with its time-honored priLs pies to reinstate the
al IN inlstrstion OF the government in these its
ancient ways. and, by the restoration of the prrc
toe OF the virtues of frugality, honesty, de-
votion to the ublic veal, to place the country
again upon that course the pursuit of which can
alone render it for the ages come unitea, pros
porous and free.
kssotred, That are in favor of free trade
On prineiP q, and while conceding the legality of
a tariff tor revenue simply, We denounee q pro-
tic;ive tariff rs not authorised under the federal
con stitution destructive of the best interests
of our people, and a. enriching the few at the
expense Of the many;
That we are op osed to monopolies and to
substituting corporations by tho 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 tt Ration
except when otherwise explicitly provided by
Jaw;
That we are opposed to the present system of
nation al banks, and all Legislation of every kind
which exslts 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 rs the necessities of
our people req lire, 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 al, public servants.
Ill and h. thrnR nj
the party in power-because it stands committed
the destruction Of the Legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversion OF the executive and
judicial departments for partisan ends, and to
he erection of q consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system because ii is
pledge to the policy OF protection, which 1t has
enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
ton years, to the continuance OF an enormous
and aggravating system Of internal revenue
taxatlop, to the postponement OF the payment
of the national debt, to the wholesale surrender
to the spectators of the public lands, an to he
fostering of schemes of private sggrsndizement
because it is extravagant, wastefu III and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, its
most distinguished leaders unblushingly open 10
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of pr nciple il s held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Resolred, That. in view of the administration
of our own state affa rs 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 need say nothing more than call the at
ten,ion of the taxpayers to the fact that the ap
preparations of the last republican general
sembly have forced the auditor of state to raise
the levy of state taxes from mills and five
tenths TO thirteen mills on the dollar, to meet
these corrupt and orofiigste 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 penitep tisTy, 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 stole by the persons in
charge OF the same; that this sSpe diture can and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesolred, That the democratic party now a.
ever profoundly sympsthzes with the efforts OF
| the people every " here to be free;
Tuxt the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies position of psrpetusl sntsg
onism toward the despotism of the world,
position which the democrsy have no disposition
to disavOw, but which, on the contrary, they
openly knowledge, and will unhesitatingly
maintain
Thai the republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations; that It,
people end cared to us by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathes in their release from
thra lldom; that we commend the administration
f the federal governmen for the recognition so
far accorded to the French republic, and demand
that the moral aid of i.s support be given to the
fullest extent in half ofthe rule of the people
insugurated upon the overthrow Of all imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
besrtiest good wishes in their endesyor to bring
about a united country; that we congratulate
them on their gallant conduct in the pending
war and trust that the liberty whch the defeat
of the emperor has given their sister state will
be indicated in their own persons and q grand
German republic be the glorious result of their
efforts;
That the island of Cuba has long lsnguished
under the incubus of foreign despotism, and
every effort of this country should be bent 10 the
attainment of its liberia ion. that its people may
part Ike of that free dom for which they long,
and share fortunes if they SO elect
hat we are not unmindful of the people of
l Ireland and, fully recognizing the wrongs they
have been called upon to endure. we trust that
the tocsin of liberty now sounding has st uok
the hour of their redemption
That, while thus declaring our unalterable
deter nina ion to require the whole weight of the
government 10 be thrown in behalf of republican
institutions, we protest against this country be
ing draw into taking sides in the quarres of
despots and condemn the leaders of the op
position for their desperate attempts. from un-
worthy motives. TO commit nation to the
cause any potentate claiming to rule a PEG
nile Inv divine right.