The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-09-13
Democratic Platform

Democratic Platform
Following is the text OF the PLATFORM
adopted by the Democratic State ConVeh'
ton at Springfield on the 18th inst
Resosued, l. That the Democratic party
of the State of Illinois, in convention as
sembled reafiirm the great principles when
Are the foundation Of free government,
among which are equal rights to all ana
exclusive privileges to none, protection Oh
the weak against the encroachments OF inc
strong. equal taxation, free speech, Tree
nress. tree schools, and, first OF all, Tree
and incorruptible ballot.
That we favor honest reform IN inc
civil service, and denounce the cXtorton
of large sums OF money from oilcehoiu'
era To corrupt the ballot and control elec'
tions as the most threatening, as II Is inc
most lnsidlous, danger that besets Tree
government. and the shameless resort ~
snch methods by the National Repubiican
Committee and by the Republican kepu'
diation Coalition IN Virginia evinces utter
abandonment of principle, and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
q That we denounce the reckless eAtraV'
spance ahd profigacy Of the Repuolicnh
marty in the appropriation OF the puollc
treasury. as manifested during the last SEES
sion of Congress, which increased the ap-
nropriations for the current fiscal year over
| those of the past year, made 10y Demo
cratic Congress, to the enormous extent OF
| $,S, 100000.
That we extend our heartiest sympa'
thy TO the Irish people in the struggle lor
their rights in which they are now engaged,
and recognize IN their persistent efforts 70
obtain their freedom despite the dungeon
| and all the other infamous appliances char'
ac,erisuc of British rule over Ireland, a
love OF liberty which Is unparalleled IN
| history, and sheds ray OF glory upon the
| Irish national character, commencing IL 10
the respect, admiration ana support OF
| freesom.loving people throughout the
world. ~,
!. That it IS incumbent upon our Gov
eminent to protect its citizens, native porn
and naturalized, at home and abroad, ana
we depounce and condemn the present he
nubl,can Administration for It's neglect oil
duty towards those lately imprisoned as
"suspects" In the ialls Of Ireland by the
arbitrary action OF the British Govern
ment.
That we are IN favor of the reduction
If Federal taxation to the lowest point
| consistent with the wants OF the Govern
| ment under an honest and economical adj
administration of It's affairs, and that such
taxes be so adjusted as 10 secure an equita
BILE distribution OF these burdens.
!. The Republican party OF the state has
proved false TO the pledges II has made 10
the people. With not cent OF bonded
debt against the State, the taxes for the
past wear have been one-thlrd greater than
| the preceding year. The various boards Of
| the STATE institutions have been used more
10 advance the interests of the Republican
marty than for the care and comfort OF the
Unfortunate men, women, and children
committed to their charge, The various
Radical State officials are surrounded by
numbers of unnecessary clerks and attend
ants whose salaries are paid from the State
Treasury. The humiliating spectacle l,
presented of the Governor OF the State say
| ing, in his annual message, that the sum
of S3,OOO,OOO would be ample to pay all the
expenses of the State tor two years, and the
same Governor approving bills passed by
the Republican Legislature appropriating
nearly S7,0O0,000 for such expenses, and
the large fund received annually from the
Illinois Central Railroad Company under
| the wise provisions of law enacted by q
| Democratic Legislature, instead OF being
utilized to relieve the people from taxation
has been misused as a stimulus to lncreas
ed extravaganza and increased taxation.
| s. That the Offices OF Warehouse and
| Railroad Commissioners now filled by ap
| pointment Of the Governor should be filled
by eleation by the people.
| o. That we demand a revision OF the
present unjust and in many respects pro
habitory tariff which is framed IN the in
| terest Of capital, and while il favors and
fosters inlquitous monopolies Is unjust
and oppressive to the laboring man in all
| the relations OF life. The Constitution con.
fers on Congress the power to raise revenue
BY duties on imports, and as just and
| proper exercise of that power we favor a
tariff based on the principle of revenue
which will deal Justly with existing bust
ness relations and with all legitimate In
dustries, and at the same time discourage
monopolies and remove the burdens i'm
posed by the present tariff upon all the Ia
boring people of the country and we here
by declare that there is no power given by
the Constitution to Congress to levy tariff
or tax on the people for the purpose of pro
tecton without reference to revenue.
10. That. while We have no purpose TO in
tcrfere with just laws in force in Illinois
for the regulation of the traffic In intoxi-
eating liquors, and conceding the right Of
the people 10 an amendment, if necessary
of such laws, to prevent or correct the evils
to society growing on; of the abuses IN TIT
use of intoxicating liquors, this convention
declares that it is not the legitimate prov
ince OF government to control the habits
tastes, appetites and liberties of the people
so long as they are peaceable and orderly
and do not encroach upon the rights %
others or of society and we therefore de
clare that prohibition, by constitution Of
ny general laws, of the manufacture or sale
of vinous, spirituous, or malt liquors
would be IN violation of Individual ant
personal rights, and contrary to the funda
mental principles of free government,
IL That We appeal to the people of thi
State, without regard TO former politica
affiliations, to unite with us at the ensuing
election in carrying into effect the foregc
ing principles.