The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-28
pailp argus.
THE PLATFORM OF THE ILLINOIS DE.
l10CR ANY

x0CRACY.
Resolved, That the happiness of the American
people and the protection of their liberties are
not to be found in splendid government sup
ported by powerful monopoiies and sristocralio
establishments, but, in the language of our great
| leader, Jacksen,-''In plain system, devoid of
pomp, protecting ell, and granting favors to
none, dispensing its blessings like tho 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 renstate the
ancient ways, and, by the restoration of the prsc-
tiee of the virtues Of frugality, honesty, and de-
votion to the publio 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 aud free.
on principle, and while conceding the legality of
tariff for revenue simply, We denounce q pro-
ticsive tariff ss not authorised under the federal
constitution, destructive of the best interests
| of our people, and a. enriohing the few at the
ex penso of the many;
That we arc OPP 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 :
ment should be subjected to the federal ia Ration
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 exslts capital ct 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 the necessities OF
our people require, and to this end we Insist
upon the strictest economy In public affairs, the
careful husban ding Of the public resources, and
the rigid accountability of af public servants.
Resofred, That VIC demand the overthrow OF
the party in power-bscause it stands committed
TO the destruction of the legitimate rights of the
state, to the subversion of the executive and
judicis departments for partisan snds, and TO
the erection of q consolidated government upon
the ruins Of the federal system; because 1t 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 sggravsting 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, to the
fostering of schemes of private aggrandizement; ;
because it is extravagant, wasteful 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 pr noipe it is held together solely by the
cohesive power of public plumber.
Resoired That, in view of the administration
of 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 this we need say nothing 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 the dollar, TO meet
those corrupt and proHgate expenditures that
all this is done by the party in power while pro-
= Arft H. h
lie business;
That we are opposed to the present manage
ment of the state penitentiary, which we declare
has cost the taxpayers of the state for the last
three years nearly, if not quite, 81 600 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 expen diturc and
| should be avoided, and the prison made self
supporting.
kesolred, That the democratic party now
ever profoundly sympathiEes with the efforts of
the people every where to be free;
That the great republic of the United States
necessarily occupies position of perpetual ansAg
onism toward the despotism of the world, "a
position which the democrsy have NO disposition
to dissvow, but which, on the contrary, they
openly acknowledge, and will unhesitatingly
| maintain;
That.he republic of France receives our hearty
welcome into the family of free nations that its
people, spdeared 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 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
| Il. ko,r llap rdrof in lin
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 grand
German republic be the glorious result of their
efforts:
That the island of Cuba has long lsnguished
under the incubus of foreign despotism, and
every effort of this country should be bent to the
attainment Oft liberation, that its people may
partske of that freedom for which they long,
and share in our fortunes if they so elect:
That are not unmindful of the people of
ireland, and, fully recognizing the wrongs they
have been called upon to endure, trust that
the tocsin of liberty now sounding has st uok
the hour of their redemption;
That, while thus declaring unalterable
deter alton to require the whole weight of the
government to he thrown in behalf of republican
Institutions, we 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 nation to the
cause Of any potentate claiming to rule a peo-
pie by divine right.