The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-09-24
Qailp Argus.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE
HOCRACY

THE PLATfORN OF fHR ILLINOIS DE-
MOCRACY.
Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
not to be found In splendid government sup
ported by powerful monopolIes AID sristocraiic
ests ohshments, but, in the language of our great
leader, Jackson,-''ln plain system, devoid of
pomp, protecting all, and granting favors to
none, dis 2ensing its blessings lise the dews OF
heaven, unseen and uDfeit, save in the freshness
and beauty they contribute to produce - that il
Is the mission of the democracy, in accord q noe
win Its tlme-honOred prinei PIES to reintate the
al Administration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prac-
tiee OF the virtues of frugality, honesty, and de-
votion to the ublio veal, to place the country
again upon that eour.e the pursuit of which can
alone render II tor the ages TO come united, pros-
porous and free.
Resotred, That we are in favor of free trad e
on princIp e, and while conceding the legality of
a tariff Tor revenue simply, We denounce a pro-
tic.iye tariff rs not authorized under the ederal
constitution as destructive of the best interests
of our people, and as enrching 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 aod 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 ational debt should be paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
such reduction of taxation as the necessities OF
our people req lire, and to this end we insist
upon the strictest economy in public affairs the
earaful IN ha nd inc of The public resources, and
the rigid accountability of ali public servants
Resoiped, That we demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-bccsuse IT stands committed
to the destruction of the legitimate rights OF the
state, TO the subversion of the executive and
iudicia departments for pa, tisan ends, and TO
he erection of a consolidated government upon
the ruins 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 Aggrsvating system Of internal revenu'
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 aggrandizemept;
bsesuse it is extravaganza, vssteful and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, its
most distinguished leaders unblushinsly open to
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because. desti-
tute ofpr ncipe, it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
ResoIred That. in view of the administration
of our own state affs rs we declare that the pres
ent administration has been more reck less in ex
penditure of the public money than any th.t 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 ap
preparations of the last republican general as
semblv have forcsd the auditor of state to raise
the levy of state taxes from six mills and five
tepths to thirteen mills on the dollar, to meet
these corrupt and oroflrgste expenditures that
all this is done by the party in power while pro
Teasing economy in the man cement of the pub
lie business;
That we opposed to the present manage
ment of the state peniteDtiary, which we declare
has cost the taxpayers of the state for the last
three years nearly, If not quite, 81 900 per day,
and which normous sum we believe to have been
either squandered or stolen by the persons in
charge OF the same; that this pei diture can and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesolred, That the democratic party
ever profoundly sympathiLes with the efforts oi
the people every here to be free;
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies position of perpetual antag
position which the democracy have nc disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly AGA nowlsdge, and will unhesitatiDgly
maintain;
That the republic OF france receives our nearly
welcome into the family of free nations; that its
people, endeared to us by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathles In their release from
thralldom; that commend the administration
If the federal government for the recognition so
far accorded to the French republic and demand
that the moral aid of its support be given TO the
fullest extent in ben ali of the rule of the people
in sugurated upon the overthrow of all imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
heartiest good wishes in their endeavor to bring
about un tied country that we congratulate
them their gallant conduct in the pending
war. and trust that tho liberty which the defea
he indicated in their own persons, and grand
German republic be the glorious result OF their
Efforts
That the island of Cuba has long languisbed
under the incubus of foreign despotism, and
every effort of this country should be bent to the
attainment of its liberia ion, that its people may
part4ke of that free dom for which they long,
and share in our fortunes if they so elect;
That we are not unmndful 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 unalterable
determi ion 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 guarrels of
despots. and condemn the leaders of the OPP
position for their desperate attempts. from un-
cause % any potentate claiming to rule a PEG
Il NV a Twin riobt