The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-11-15
Democratic Platform Of 1900.

The following platform was adopted at
congressional caucus held in the year
1900. and upon it Thomas Jefferson was
elected president in opposition to John
Adams:
/. An inylolable preservation of the
federal constitution according to the true
sense in which it was adopted by the
states that in which it was advocated by
its friends, and not what its enemies ap-
pretended, who therefore became its
enemies.
2. Opposition to monarchizing its fea-
lures by the forms of its administration,
with a view to concilate a transition, first
to president and senate for life, and
secondly, to hereditary tenure of those
of offices, and thus to worm out the elect
i've principle.
g. Preservation to the states of the
powers not yielded to the Union, and to
the legislature of the Union its constitu-
tional share in division of powers; and
resistance, therefore, to existing move
ments for transferring all the powers of
the states to the general gov ernment,
the executive branch.
4. A rigorous frugal administration of
the government. and the application of all
the possible savings of the pnblic revenue
to the liquidation of the public debt; and
resistance, therefore, to all measures look
ing to multiplication of officers and
salaries. merely to create partisans, and
to augment the public debt on the princi-
pie of its being public blessing.
s, Reliance for internal defense solely
upon the militia till actual invasion; and
for such naval force only as may be suf-
ficient to protect our coasts and harbors
from deprecations. and opposition, there
FORE to The policy of standing army in
the time of peace, which may overawe
the public sentiment, and 10 navy which
by its own expenses and the wars in which
it will duplicate US, will grind US with
public burdens, and sinks under them.
6. FREE COMMERCE WITH ALL MA
TIoNs; political connections with none,
and little or no diplomatic establishment
z. Opposition to linking ourselves. by
new treaties with the quarrels of Europe
entering their fields of slaughter to pre-
serve their balance, or joining in the con-
federacy Of kings to war against the prin
ciples of liberty.
8. Freedom of region aud opposition
TO all maneuvers 10 being legal establish
ment of one sect over another.
8. Freedom of speech and of the press,
and opposition, therefore, to all violations
of the constitution, to silence by force,
and not by reason, the complaints OF
criticisms, just or unjust of our citizens
against the conduct of their public
agents.
10. Liberal naturalization laws under
which the well disposed of all nations whc
may desire to embark their fortunes with
US and share with US the public burdens
may have that opportunity, under mode
rate restrictions, for the development oi
honest intention, and severe ones to guart
against the usurpation of our flag.
IL. Encouragement of science and tht
arts in all their branches, to the end tina
American people may perfect their indie
Pendence of all foreign monopolies, insti-
tutions and influences.
| There is no record of political platform
previous to the year when the above wa
adopted The father of American de
mocracy stood upon the principles thu
enunclated eighty three years ago. w,
ask our readers to carefully examine th
platform. From that time down to th
present, democratic platforms have bee
uniformly consistent with the genera
doctrines then declared. These principle
will never die, and SO long as the Ameri
can republic exists, the American democ
racy will live and advocate the eterna
truths that are the foundation for tn
peoples liberties, Parties that are organ