Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-05

satiou for the burdens it imposes, but q
rotten republic is at once the most costly,
the most oppressive, and the most unsteady
of all p~olitIcAl structures. \ \ 4 y
THE ISSUES.
II will surely be admitted that all Ameri-
can citizens who believe these facts to be
true are bound by the sacred obligations of
patriotism, honor, and conscience to oppose
this state of things, and by opposing end it.
The persons interested in preventing q
change will ask how, to what extent, and
py what means we propose to
make reforms. The question is a
fair one, and we propose to answer it briefly.
Il will be the duty OF the Democratic party,
and, to the extent of our authority, original
or delegated, we hereby pledge ourselves and
our associates, so far as in us lies
l. To put the ship OF state once again on
her constitutional tack and hold her head
firmly and steadily to that course.
2. To protect the individual citizens OF
ell parties, ~clssseS, aud creeds in the enjoy.
ment of life, liberty, property, reputation,
and the pursuit of their lawful business, by
an imperative administration of justice in
the ordained aud established courts.
8. To preserve the power of the general
government in their whole constitutional
yigor as our sole defence against foreign
aggression, the safest bond of union between
different sections of the country and the
only sure promise of general prosperity.
4. To maintain, unimpared, the reserved
rights Of the States, not only because they
are guaranteed by the Federal Constitution,
but because the States alone can safely be
trusted with the management of their own
local concerns.
s.. To reduce the expenditures Of the
government BY combining it's appropriation
TO legitimate objects, by q rigid system Of
accountability and economy, and BY abolish
ing much Of the necessary and perniOi oul
machinery with which it is now enoum-
bered.
6. To moderate the burdens of the people
not only by economical administration bu
by q system of taxation upon foreign i'm
ports SIS we'll as domestic productions, vhicl
shall be just and equal in its operation upol
the property and business of the country
not enriching some while it impoverishe
others, and not TO be frauds now habituall'
prsctised.
I. To preserve the public credit BY tn
prompt payment of the pablo Obligations.
s.. To consecrate the public lands to tn
use Of the landless people who need it by
system which will secure a sufioiency TO al
and stop the long series of swindles by whic
so many millions Of acres rave been give
away to those who already have more tina
enough.
TheSe are some of the duties which Ii
before the people if they desire to see ther
government administered with q decor
respect for the Constitution of their father
or with tolersble honesty 10 financial ms
ters.
We have no test of orthodoxy, no dissbi
ities for nor discrimination against forme
political antagonists. We cannot and d
not object to bygone differences. provide
the citizens be truly and faithfully devote
now 10 the interests and institutions of tn
whole country and all the inhabitants there
of.
Our object is not revolution, but restora
ton; not injury to our opponents, but a
assertion of our wi rights and those of on
fellow ~citizeas.
By order of the Dem. Executive Commute
WILLIAM A. WALLACE, Chairman.