The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-15
plailp ARGUS.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE-
kOCRACY

kOCRACY
Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their libertie, are
no. to be found IN u splendid government sup
ported by powerful monopolies and nristocratic
establishments, but, i'll the language of our great
leader, Jackson a plain system. devoid of
pomp, protecting ali, and granting favors TO
none, dIs .2enfing its blessings lac the dews OF
heaven, unseen and unfeit, save in the freshness
ana beauty they contribute to produce )" that il
Is the mission of the democracy, in accord nce
with ITS time-honored prinsip PIES reiustate the
adminstraiion of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prsc
tce 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.
Rssotued, That We are in favor of free trade
on principle, and while oonceding the legality of
Il tariff for,revenue simply, We denounce q pro-
tic.iye tariff not authorized under the fe deral
constitution, destructive of the best interests
of our people, aud enriching the few at the
expense of the many;
That we are op osed to monopoIies and to
Substituting corporations by the use of the peO-
pes money and the peoples lands;
That the bonds Issued by the federal govern
men, should be subjected to the federal Ia xation
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 ut 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 req aire, and to this end We insist
upon the strictest economy in public affairs, the
careful outstanding of the public resources, and
10 4. of IA Lin Mt
kesotred That we demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-beoause il stands committed
to the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subyersion of the executive and
judicia departments for partisan 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 it bas
enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
ton years to the continuance OF enormous
and aggravatipg 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, to he
of schemes of private sggrandizement
because it is extravaganza, wsstetul and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, its
most distinguished leaders unblushingly open to
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti
of pr nciple. it s held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
hes0fCed, mat. IN view oil the administration
of our own state affairs we declare that the pres
ent administration has been mors reck lees in ex-
penditure of the public money than any that ever
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
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
these corrupt and prohigate 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
ment of the state peniteDtiary, which We declare
has cost the taxpayers of the state Tor the last
three years nearly, if not quite, $1,000 per day
and which enor nous sum we believe TO have been
either sauandered or stolen by the persons IL
charge OF the same; that this expen diture and
should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesoired, That the democratic party now a.
ever profoundly sympsthizes with the efforts OF
the people every here to be free;
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies position of perpetual aptsg
onism toward the despOtism of the world, "a
position which the democray have no disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acs nowlsdge and will unhesitatingy
maintain;
That the republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations; that its
people end cared to Us by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathies in their release from
thraIldom; 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 it's support be given TO the
fullest extent in behalf of the rule of the people
inaugurated upon the overthrow of all imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
heartiest good wishes in their endeavor to bring
about united country; that we congratulate
them on their gallant conduct in the pending
war and frusl that the liberty v hich the defeat
of the emperor has given their sister state will
De indicated in their own persons. and grand
German republic be the glorious result OF their
efforts;
That the island of Cuba has long languished
under the incubus Of foreign despotism. and
every effort of this country should be bent to the
attainment of its liberation. that its people may
partske of that free dom for which they long,
and share in our fortunes if they 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 tocsin of liberty now sounding has ST uck
the hour OF their redemption;
That, while thus declaring our unalterahle
deter ina ion to require the whole weight of the
government to be thrown in behalf of republican
institutions $, protest against this country be
ing drawn into taking sides in the quarrels OF
despots and condemn the leaders of the OPP
position for their desperate attempts. from I'M
worthy motives, to commit our nation to the
cause o. any potentate claiming TO rule PEG
pie by divine right