The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-03
Dailp ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE.
ET0CKanv

EOCKACY.
Resolved, Ths. the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
| not to be found in n splendid government sup
ported by powerful monopolies and aristocratic
establishments, but, III the language of our great
leader, Jackson,-''In a plain system, devoid of
pomp, protecting ali, and granting fayors to
none, dispensing its blessings like 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 accordance
with its time-honored principles, to reinstate The
Naturalization of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prsc-
tisc OF the virtues of frugality, honesty, and de-
votion to the Iublic veal, to place the country
again upon that course the pursuit OF which can
alone render it for the ages to come united, pros
porous and free.
Rssolred, That we are in favor of free trade
on principle {, and while conceding the legality of
q tariff for revenue simply, We denounce a pro-
t~ic.ive tariff as not authorized under the federal
constitution, as destructive of the best interests
of our people, and as enriehing 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-
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 arc opposed to the present system of
nation al banks, and all legislation of every kind
which exaits 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 as 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.
Raa.Yr.! That ~ demand the nyarthTnw OF
the party in power-because it stands Uni
to the destruction Of the legitimate rights OF the
state, 70 the subversion of the executive and
judicia departments for partisan ends, and to
The erection of a consolidated government upon
the ruins Of the federal system because 1t is
Piled 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 Aggravating 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 d to the
fostering of schemes of private ACKNOWLEDGEMENT;
because it is extravagsnt, 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-
tute of pr noiple, it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Resoiced, That, in view of the administration
Of our own state affairs, we declare that the pres
ent administration has been more reckless in ex-
penditure of the public money than any that ever
yet exercised the power of the state, and in proof
OF tbs we need say nothing more than call tire at
tention OF the taxpayers to the fsct that the ap-
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
those corrupt and prohigste 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 penitentisry, which We declare
has cost the taxpayers OF the state for the last
three years nearly, If not quite, Sl,GOO per day,
and which enormous sum we believe to have been
either squandered or stolen by the persons in
charge OF the same; that this sx Expenditure can and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesoLred, That the democratic party now as
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts of
the people everywhere to be free;
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies sposition of psrpetusla ntsg-
onism toward the despotism of the world, "a
position which the democray have no disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will unhesitatingly
msintain
Thstthe 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
thralldom; that we commend the administration
of 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 behalf ofthe rule of the people
insugurated upon the overthrow of all imperial
dynasty:
That the Inhabitants of Germany have our
heartiest good wishes in their endeavor to bring
about a united country that we congratulate
than on their gallant conduct in the pending