The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-03-08
That Little Shakey Platform"

form" and nonsensical "higfalutin.' Let lis
see. The first reads as follows:
This association has no objects in view
which conravcnc the principles embodied in
the constitution of the United States, or the
constitution of the several States of the Union.
On the contrary, its objects are To remove
from the legislative, judicial and executive
branches of the general and state governments
the corruption, ycnalily and abuse of power
which so seriously retard the welfare and
prosperity of the people.
Is it not true that there have been venality,
corruption and abuse Of power practiced in
the general and state governments In the
face of late developments no one who is not
friend Of the corruptionists would have the
hardhood to contradict the statements of this
first resolution.
Second resolution,
We recognize the power of Congress to
raise by tax or impost sufficient revenue to
meet the eXigencies of the government. But
we hold that Congress has no constitutional
power TO impose prohibitory or protective
duties, as such duties do not operate to pro,
ducc revenue for the support of the govern
mcnt, but to create and enrich monoplies
TIC vi Uutlts l)dllllN CldSS
legislation, when is evidently uncOnstitu.
tional.
Is it not true, as here stated, that protective
tariffs operate TO create and enrich monopo-
lies? In the face of past and present eXpc.
ricnce, no one who is not IA friend of the mo,
no.olists can object to the second resolution.
We recognize in State Legislatures the
/ power to disregard vested rights when they
stand in the way of great public benefit 1t
was only by the exercise of this power that
railroad corporations were enabled to con
denim and take the private property Necessary
for the construction of their railroads Hence
we hold that the Legislature, through which
railroad corporations acquired vested rights
| in consideration of public benefit, has the
power in like manner to take away the vested
rights acquired through it, when the conduct
of the railroad corporations so vested becomes
Il public grievance.
| l. it not sound doctrine, as here maintained,
that the legislature has at least the same pow
err to regulate the action of things of its own
creation that it has to regulate the acts of in
tclligent beings created by Supreme Power
! No one who is not the friend Of railrond cor
porallohS Woulu DC lihciy ~ opJocl 10 'hiS
'hlIu resolution,
lnc peoPic p.,ns so.'ivlsn' u f y ~
If rricyoncrs Tho general and state Govern
mcnts being composed of the servants of the
people, the custom Of pctitioning those bodies
Tor redress 81 grleVehtG' mas created .lc IN
tlp government We therefore hold Iha1
whom tho neonle have reason to COMPLAIN OF
unjust legislation, it is their duty to approach
their government IN their sovereign capacity
''',' ,'-,'.,-'' Wv, 80,
- ~ Nv, Il w ''''' Vi. p,'i''O NV ,0,N'05
I'LL" 'iia' 'li government '''o''s 'i' '"'i' paw
'''''' -'' o''' W. - ;,
oe likeiy 10 opJcc' 10 u'c "u''lS eii'ooo'co II
'hls resolu'ioh'
we nou 'a' ,e }ho ,s , mI ,h ny ,n
,,i,mtnns Of o "e,ora1 StateS tLe r,,ardion ~
! tbo n,orIc,s rirhts If tbnn fine riphtS of th,