The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-09-27
pailp Argus.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE.
KOCRACY

ResOtred, That 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 nonopolles and sristocratic
oiishments, out, in the language of our great
leader, Jackson,-"ln plain system devoid OF
pomP, protecting all, and granting favors TO
none, die 2ensing its blessings h.e the dews oil
t heaven, unseen and untelt, save IN the freshness
and beauty they CONT ioute to produce :" that i.
is the mission of the democracy, il accordance
with its tlme-honored principles to reinstate the
administration of the government in these it,
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prsc
toe OF the virtues of ftugallty, honesty, de-
votlon to the ublic veal, to place the country
again upon that course the pursuit of which can
alone render 1t for the ages 70 come united, pros
porous and free.
| Essotoed, That we are in favor of free trad e
on principle, and while conceding the legality OF
a tariff tor revenue simply, deneunce a pro-
tic:ive tariff as not authorized under the federal
con sutution, destructive of the best interests
of our people, and rs enriching the few at the
expense of the many;
That we are op osed to monopolies and to
substituting corporations by the of the peo-
pes money and the peoples lands
| That the bonds issued by the federal govern
ment should be subjected 10 the federal la xation
except when otherwise explicitly provided by
law;
,
nation al banks, and all Legislation of every kind
which exsIts capital ~ the expense Of the people
and the government
That the national debt should he paid at the
earliest practicable moment consistent with
| such reduction of tax alton the necessities OF
our people req 1ire 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.
Kcsotred, That we demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-bocaase it stands committed
10 the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversion of the executive and
udica departments for partisan ends, sBd to
he erection of a consolidated government upon
the ruins of the federal system because il IL
pied ed to the policy of protection. which it ba>
enforced by oppressive legislation for the last
ten years, TO the con tinuance of an enormous
and aggravating system of internal reyenu,
taxation, to the postponement of the payment
Of the national debt, to the wholesale surrender
to the spectators of the public Ian Dis, to the
fostering of schemes of private sggrandizement;
because it is extravagant, wssteful 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-
tute Of nciple, it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Res0fred, That. in view of the administration
of our own state ala rs declare that the pres
ent administration has been more reckless in
penditure of the public money than any th.t ever
yet exercised the power of the state. and in proof
Of this need ssy 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 10 thirteen mills the dollar, to meet
these corrupt and nrotligate expenditures tn
all this Is done by the party in power while pro
Teasing in the management of the pub
lie business;
That we are opposed to the present manage
ment OF the state peDitentisry, which we declare
has cost the taxpayers of the stste for the las,
three Years nearly, If not quite, GOO per day.
and which ormous sum we believe to have been
either squsndered or stolen by the persons IL
charge OF the same; that this ex peLditure ana
should he avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesolred, That the democratic party now a.
ever profoundly sympathizes with the efforts OF
the people every " here 10 be free;
That the great republic of the United Slater
necessarily occupies apositi0n of perpetual antsg-
onism toward the desPotism of the world,
position which the democray have disposition
to dissvow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will unhesitstingly
maintain;
Thatthe republic of Fran receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations that it,
people sndeared to Us by traditional ties, have
our sincere sympathies in their release from
thra lldom: that we commend the administration
# 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 beh ali OF the rule of the people
insugursted upon the overthrow OF all imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
hesrtiest good wishes in their endeavoT TO bring
about united country; that We congratulate
them on their gallant conduct in the pending
war, and trust that tho liberty " hich the defeat
of the emperor has given their sister state will
ne indicated in their own persons. and grand
German republic be the glorious result OF their
efforts
That the island Of Cuba has long languished
ander the incubus of foreign despotism, and
every effort of this country should be bent 10 the
attainment of its liberation, that its people may
partake of that freedom for which they long,
and share in our fortunes if they so elect;
hat we are not unmindful of the people of
Ireland. and, fully recognizing the wrongs they
b ave 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 unaltersble
determine ion TO require the whole weight Of the
government to ne thrown in behalf of republican
institutions, we protest against this country be
ing drawn into taking sides in the qUarrels OF
deapots and condemn the leaders of the OPP
position for their desperate attempts, from un-
worthy motives. to commit our nation to the
cause % any potentate claiming to rule PEG
pie by divine right.