The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-28
THE pLA1roRM.

Resolued, 1. That the democratic party of the
state of Illinois in conven. ion assembled, reaffirm
the great principles which are the foundation OF
free government, among which are equal rights 10
the weak against the entertainments OF the strong,
equal taxation, free speech, free press. free
schools, and first of all free and incorrupble bal
g That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice, and denounce the extertion of large sums OF
from ofice-h0ldefs TO corrupt the ballot and
control elections the ast is the
most insiduous, danger that besets free govern
ment, and the shameless resort TO such methods by
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican reputation coalition in Virginia, eyinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation
3. That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and prohgacy of the republican party in the appro
priaton of the public treasurey manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
of the past wear made by a democratic congress to
the enormous extent of $Ts,000,OOO.
4. That we extend our heartiest sympathy to the
Irish people in the struggle for their rights in which
they are now engaged, and recognize in their per-
dungeon and all other infamous appliances .charac
teristie of British rule over Ireland, love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds "a
ray of glory upon the Irish national character com
mendingi it TO the respect. admiration and support
Of freedom loving people throughout the world
5. That it is incumbent uDon our government to
protect it's citizens, native horn and natuFazed, at
home and abroad, and we denonnce and condemn
the present republican administration its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned suspects
in the as of Ireland by the arbitrary action OF the
6. That we are In favor of reduction of federal
taxation TO the lowest point consistent with the
wants of the government under an honest ana eco
nomeal administration of its affairs, and that such
taxes be adjusted as to secure an equitable dis
tribution Of these burdens.
4 The Republican party of the state has proved
false TO the pledges it has made to t. the people.
With not cent Of bonded debt against the state
the taxes for the past year have been one-third
greater than tn the preceding year. The Farious
more to advance the interests of the republicsn
party than for the care and comfort of the unfortu
nate men, women and children committed to their
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries are paid from the state
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saying in his animal
message that the sum of 5000 900 would be ample
to pay all the expenses Of the state for two years.
aud the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican ieci~laurc appropriating nearly 81,
cefved annually from the Illinois Central railroad
company under the wise provisions of law enacted
by democratic legislature, instead of being util-
lied to relieve the people from taxation, has been
msused as stimulus to increased taxation.
8. That the offices of the warehouse and reroad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment of
people.
g. That we demand q revision of the present I'M
just, and in many respects prohibtory tariff, which
Is framed in the interest OF capital and while 1t ia
vors and fosters ubiquitous lnOnopOles. is unjust
and oppressive to the ahoring man In all the walks
Of life. The constitution confers on congress the
power to raise revenue by duties on imports and
;tst and proper exercise of that power we favor a
tariff based on the principle of revenue which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries. and at the same time dis
courage monopolies and remove the burdens impos-
ed by the present tariff upon all the laborng people
of the country, and we hereby declare that there is
no power given by the constitution to congress to
levy tariff or tax the people for the purpose of
protection without reference to revenue.
10. That while we have no purpose to interfere
with just laws in force in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in Intoxicating liquors. and e4ceding
the right OF the people to amendment, if
ry of suck laws to prevent correct the evils
cety growing ont of abuses in the of intoxicat-
ing liquors, the convention declares that the
legitimate province OF governments to control the
habits. tastes appetites and liberties of the people
20 long as they are peaceable and orderly, and do
not encroach upon the rights of others of society,"
and we therefore declare that the prohibition the
constitution or by general laws of the manufacture
or sale of vnOus, spirituous malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights
contrary to the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent.
II. That we appeal to the people of this state,
without regard to former political affiliations. to
unite with US at the coming election in carrying
into effect the foregoing principles.