The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-22
Daily ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE-
HOCRhCY

HOCRACY.
Resoieed, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection Of their liberties arc
not to be found IN splendid government sup
ported by powerful monopoIes and arist0eralic
establishments, but, in the Language of our great
leader, Jackson,-''ln plain system, ds,oid OF
pomp, protecting all, and granting favors to
none, dis oensiug its blessings like the dews of
heaven, unseen and unfeit, save In the freshness
aud beauty they contribute TO produce )" that il
IS the mission of the democracy, in accordance
with ITS time-honored prine pies, to reinstte the
administration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prac
use OF the virtues of frugality, honesty, and 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 TO come united, pros
porous and free.
Rssotped, That we are in favor of free trade
on principle and while conceding the legality Of
tariff for revenue simply, We aensunce a pro-
tc:ive tariff Is not authorised under the federal
constitution, destructive Of the best interests
of our people, and enriching the few at the
expense OF the many;
That we are op osed to monopolies and to
subsidizing 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
Jaw;
That we are opposed to the present system of
nation al banks, and all legislation OF every kind
which exaits capital 1t 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 aoire 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.
Resoired, That We demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-because it stands com nitted
to the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversion of the executive and
judieial departments for partisan ends, snd to
he erection of q consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system; because it 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 spgravating system of internal revenue
taxation to the postponement of the pay ment
of the national debt, to the wholesale surrender
to the spectators of the public lands, an to he
fostering of schemes of private aggIandixement /;
because it is extravagant, wasteful and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, it's
most distinguished leaders unblushingly open to
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of pr nciple it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber
Resoired, That in view of the administration
of our own state atfa RS we declare that the pres
emit administration has been more reckless in ex-
penditure of the public money than any thst ever
yet exercised the power of the state, and in proof
of this need say othing more than call the At
tention of the taxpayers to the fact 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 i've
tenths to thirteen mills on the dollar, TO meet
o ha1
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 penitenti which we declare
has cost the taxpayers of the state for the last
three years nearly, If not quite, 900 per day,
and which enor nous sum we believe to have been
either souan cred stolen by the persons in
charge of the same; that this sxpet diture and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesoLred, That the democratic party now AZ
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts of
the people every here to be free;
That the great republic of the United states
necessarily occupies spostion of perpetual antag-
onism toward the despotism of the world, "a
position which the democrsy have NO disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will unhesitatlngiy
maintain;
welcome into the family of free nations that lite
people, endeared to us by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathies in their release from
thrafldom; that we commend the administration
f the federal government for the recognition so
far accorded to the French republic, and demand
that the moral aid of it's support be given TO the
fullest exten, in behalf ofthe rule of the people
inaugurated upon the overthrow of all imperial
iyussty;
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
war, and trust that the liberty which the defesr
of the emperor has given their sister state will
be indicated in their own persons, and grand
German republic be the glorious result OF their
eforts
That the island Of Cuba has long languished
ander the incubus of foreign despotlsm, and
every effor, of this country should be bent 20 the
attainment of its liberia ion. that its people m
part.ke of that free dom for which they long
| and share N our fortunes if they SO elect;
hat are not unmindful of the people OF
Ireland, and. fully recognizing the wrongs they
| have been called upon to endure, we trust that
| the tocs.n Of liberty now sounding has ST uck
| the hour OF their redemption;
| That, while thus declaring our unaltera5lt
deter nina ion to require the whole weight of the
government to be thrown in behalf of republican
institutions, protest against this country be
| ing drssn into taking sides in the quarrels Of
despots sod condemn the leaders of the op
position for their desperate attempts, from un'
| worthy motives, to commit our nation to the
cause o any potentate claiming to rule PEG
pie by divine right.