The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-05-29
Democratic Platform

The following article we would give
the original compiler credit for did we
know who he was, but as we have seen it
in three of our exchanges, each giving it
as its own, we cannot in this instance
give honor where honor is due. We pub
fish it for the benefit of those who claim
that tariff for revenue only is not one of
the essential features of democracy.
1900.
The first democratic platform was
adopted by the party, then called the
republican,, as distinguished from the
federalist party, in congressional caucus
in Philadelphia, 10 1900, the year in
which Jefferson was first elected to the
presidency. 1t demands
Sixth-Free commerce with all nations
political connection with none and little
or no diplomatic establishment
1886.
The next democratic platform, knsWn
as the "Locofoco" platform of 1886, was
adopted by the first national convention
for nominating candidates for the presi-
dency. Itproclaims:
Hostility to any and all monopclists by
legislation, because they are violations of
the equal rights of the people.
The true foundation of a republican
government is the equal rights of every
citizen in his person and property and in
its management.
The democratic platform of 1910 was
that adopted by the presidential conven>
ton at Baltimore, which contains these
resolutions:
f. Resolved. That justice and sound
policy forbid the federal government to
foster one branch of industry, or to cher
ish the interest of one portion of our com
mon country.
g. Resolved, That it is the duty of
every branch of the government to en-
brace and practice the most rigid economy
in conducting our public affairs, and that
no more revenue ought to be raised than
is required to defray the necessary ex-
penses of the government.
1874.
The democratic convention of 1914
reaffirmed the fourth and fifth resolutions
of the convention in 1910
184S
The democratic national convention of
1848.
Resolved, That it is the duty of every
branch of the government to enforce and
practice the most rigid economy in con-
Quoting our public affairs, and that no
more revenue ought to be raised than is
required to defray the necessary expenses
of the government, and for the gradual
but certain extinction of the debt created
by the prosecution of a just and necessary
war.
And that the results of democratic
legislation in this and all other financial
measures, upon which issues have been
made between the two political parties of
the country. have demonstrated to careful
and practical men of ell parties their
soundness, safety and utility in all bust
ness pursuits.
Resolved, That the fruits of the great
political triumphs of 1884 have fulfilled
the hopes of the democracy of the union
in the noble impulse given to The cause
of free trade by the repeal of the tariff Of
1912 and the creation of the more equal
honest and productive tariff of 1916; and
that in out opinion it would be fata
error to weaken the bands of political
organization by which these great reform:
have been achieved and risk them in thu
hands of their known adversares will
whatever delusive appeals they may soliei
our surrender of that vigilance which il
the only safeguard of liberality.
1852.
The democratic convention of 1852
Resolved, That it is the duty of ever,
branch of the government to enforce ant
practice the most rigid economy in con
Quoting our public affairs, and that nj
more revenue ought to be raised than il
required to defray the necessary expense
of the government, and for the gradual
but certain. extinction of the public debt
Resolved, That in view of the condition
Unpopular institutions in the old world,
high and sacred duty is devolved witt
increased responsibility upon the democ
racy of this country, as the party of th
pSOpiOi w uPlOiu anu AidJuthlu
of every state and thereby the union 0
the state, and to sustain and advance
among them constitutional liberty b
continuing to resist all monopolies AM
exclusive legislation for the benefit of th
few atexpenses of the many
In 1866 the democratic convention
Resolved, That justice and sound polio
forbid the federal government to foste
one branch of industry to the detrimen
OF another, or to cherish the interests O
one portion Of our common country.
1t also repeated verbatim the first res
olution quoted of the convention of 1855
and then it
Resolved, finally, That there are quest
ions connected with the foreign policy O
this country which are inferior to n
domestic questions whatever. The tim
has come for the people of the Unite
States to declare themselves in favor @
free seas and progressivefree trade throug
out the world, and. by solemn manifesto