The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-07-11

tnaL the WelIafe OF society depends upon
scrupulous regard for the rights of
property as defined by law.
We believe that labor is best rewarded
where 1t is freest and most enlightened.
1t should therefore be fostered and cher
ished. We favor the repeal of all laws
restricting the free action of labor, and the
enactment of laws by which labor organ
izatiOns may be incorporated, and of all
such legislation as will tend to enlighten
the people as to the true relations of cap
ital and labor.
We believe that the public lands ought,
as far as possible, to be kept as homesteads
for actual settlers; that all unearned lands
heretofore improvidently granted to rail-
road corporations by the action of the
republican party should be restored to the
public domain; and that no more grants
of land shall be made to corporations or
be allowed to fall into the ownership of
alien absentees.
We are opposed to all propositions
which upon any pretext would convert
the General Government into a machine
for collecting taxes to be distributed
among the states, or the citizens thereof.
In reafflrming the declaration of the
Democratic platform of 1856, that ''the
liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in
the Declaration of Independence, and
sanctioned in the constitution which make
ours the land of liberty and the asylum of
the oppressed of every nation, have ever
been cardinal principles in the Democratic
faith" we nevertheless do not sanction
the importation of foreign labor, or the
admission of servile races, untitled by
habits training, religion, or kindred for
absorption ints the great body of our
people, or for the citizenship which our
laws confer. American civilization de.
mands that against the immigration or
importation of Mongolians to these shores,
our gates be closed.
The Democratic party insists that it is
the duty of this government to protest,
with equal fidelity and vigilance. the
rights OF its citizens, native and natural
lied, at home and abroad; and to the end
that this protection may be assured
United States papers of naturalization,
issued by courts of competent Jurisdiction,
must be respected by the executive and
legislative departments of our own gov
ernment, and by all foreign powers.
1t is an imperative duty of this govern
ment to efficiently protect all the rights of
persons and property of every American
citizen in foreign lands, and demand and
enforce full reparstion for any invasion
thereof.
An American nitizan 10 onlu raanonuihIa
to his own government for any act done
in his own country, or under her flag and
can only be tried therefor on her own soil
and according to her laws; and no power
exists in this government to expatriate an
American citizen to be tried in any foreign
land for any such act
This country has never had well de-
fined and executed foreign policy save
under democratic administration; that
police has ever been, in regard to foreign
nations, so long as they do no act detri-
mental to the interests of the country or
hurtful to ouI citizens, to let them alone;
that as result of this policy we recall the
acquisition of Louisiana, Florida, Califor-
mia, and of the adjacent Mexican territory
by purchase alone; and contrast these
grand acquisitions of democratic states
manship with the purchase of Alaska, the
sole fruit of new admins
tration of nearly quarter of a century
The federal government should care for
and improve the Mississippi river and
other great waterways of the republic, so
so as to secure for the interior states easy
and cheap transportation to tide water.
Under long period of democratic rule
and policy our merchant marine was fast
overtaking and on the point of outstrip
ing that of Great Britain.
Under twenty years of republican rule
and policy our commerce has been left to
British bottoms, and almost has the
American flag been swept off the high
seas.
Instead of the republican party's British
policy we demand for the people of the
United States an American policy.
Under democratic rule and policy our
merchants and sailors, flying the stars
and stripes in every port, successfully
searched out a market for the varied
products of American industry.
Under quarter century of republican
rule and policy, despite our manifest
advantages over all other nations in high
paid labor. favorable climates aud teem-
ing soils; despite freedom of trade be-
tween all these United States; despite
their population by the foremost races of
men and an annual immigration OF the
young, thrifty, and adventurous of all
nations; despite our freedom here from
the inherited burdens of life and industry
in old world m0narchies- costly war
navies, their vast tax consuming, non.
producing standing armies; despite twenty
years of peace-that republican rule and
policy have managed to surrender to
Great Britain. along with our commerce,
the control of the markets of the world.
Instead of the Republican party's Brit>
ish policy, we demand, in behalf of the
American Democracy, an American
policy.
Instead of the Republican party's dis,
credited scheme and false pretense of
friendship for American labor, expressed
by imposing taxes, we demand in behalf of
the Democracy, freedom for American
labor by reducing taxes, to the end that
these United States may compete with
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