The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-04
pauu Argue.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS De
MOCRAOY,

THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS De-
MOoRAOY.
Resoised, That the hsppincs. of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
not to be found In Il splendid government sup
ported by powerful monop0lIes ard .ristucratic
establishments, but, in the language of our great
leader, Jaeksop,-'In a plain system, dovoid of
pomp, protecting all, and granting favors 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 ume-honored principles, to reinstate the
administration of the government in these its
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prsc-
tise of the virtues of frugality, honesty, and de-
votion to the public 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.
Rssotred, That we are in favor of free trade
on principle, and while concsding the legality of
a tariff for revenue simply, We denounce a pro-
tic:ive tariff rs not authorized under the federal
con stitution, as destructive of the best interests
of our people, and IA enriching the few at the
expense OF the many;
That we are op osed to monopolies and to
substituting corporations by the use Of the peo-
pies money and the peoples lands;
That the bonds issued by the federal govern
mont 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 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
Al .l.s - II l. A.uan
Resoired, That We demand the overthrow of
the party in power-because it stands
to the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversion of the executive and
judicial departments for partisan ends, and TO
The erection of q consolidated government upon
the roins of the federal system because II is
Piled gsd to the policy of protection, which it 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, AND to the
fostering of schemes of private sggrandizement;
because it is extravaganza, wasteful and corrupt,
sustaining and sustained by ring legislation, its
most distin guiihed leaders unblushiDgly open to
bribery and using the power of their official
positions for private purposes because, desti-
tute of principle, it Is held together solely by the
cohesive power Of public plumber.
Resojred. That, in view of the administration
of our own state afa rs, we declare that the pres
eat administration has been more reckless in ex-
peniiture of the public money than any that ever
yet exercised the power of the state, and in proof
of this We need say nothing more than callth at
tentien of the taxpayers to the fact that the ap-
preparations of the last republican general as
semhly have forced the auditor of state to raise
the levy of state taxes from SIX mills and Eve
tenths to thirteen mills on the dollar, to meet
these corrupt and prodigate 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 fths state penitentisry, which we declare
has cost the taxpayers of the state for the last
three years nearly, If not quite, 81 1000 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 ex expenditure can and
should he avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
hesoired, That the democratic party now as
ever profoundly sympathires with the efforts of
the people every wheret TO be free
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies a position of perpetualantag-
| onism towa ard the despotism of the world, IA
position which the democray have no disposition
to disavow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will unhesitatingly
maintain;
Tha,the republic of Franc receives our hearty
ntbStIlV lAAAt ~ @A'y
people, eudeared 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 it's support be given to the
fullest extent in behalf ofthe rule of the people
inaugurated upon the overthrow of all imperial
dynasty;
That the inhabitants of Germany have our
h~esrtiest good wishes in their endeavor to bring
about a IN tied country that we congratulate
them on their gallant conduct in the pending
war, and trust that the liberty which the defeat
of the emperor has given their sister state will
be indicated in their own persons, and a 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
partake of that freedom for which they long,
and share in our fortunes if they so elect;
That we are not uumindful 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 REDEEM ption;
That, while thus declaring our unalterable
determination to require the whole weight of the
Institutions, we protest against this country be-
ing drawn into taking sides in the guarrels of
despots, and we 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 a peo-
pie by divine right.