Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-05-06
Twenty-frSt Year.
The Liberal Party and the
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and ia essentially 9 platform OF reform
While We might have desired different ex-
preston on the tariff question, we cannot
as Democrat, object to leaving the ques-
.ion in the hands Of the people, for decision
BY congressional di istricts. This method ID
purely Democratic, and as such we except
il, as we'll as the entire platform, believing
that it is practicable to carry out the re-
formatOry measures demanded, except that
requiring . speedy return TO specie pay,
ment. While i: may be desirable to resume
specie payment at once, we are of the opin-
ion that it will be attended by disastrous
consequences to our finances unless the
change be gradual, which will probably be
the construction placed upon the resolution
by the administration, if the people decide
TO elect the ticket
1t now rests with the Democracy to deter
mine whether they will support the ticket,
or nominate candidates of their own.
Should they decide to accept the candidates,
as they Assuredly can the address and plat.
| form, their success is certain. But if q
straight Democratic ticket be placed in the
teld, the chances are that many of the Lib
erals will be driven back into the GrAnt
more certain. If Democrats are honest in
their demands for reform they should pass
no hasty Judgment, but weigh well the
chances Of success of platform equally as
acceptable as the one adopted at Cincinnati
outside this movement, and without the CO.
operation OF the Liberals. We advise Dem
ocrsts to take no position for or against this
movement until the national convention
meets. The following is the address and
platform as adopted unanimously by the
Liberals ADDRESS
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of WGnton disregard
Of the laws Of the land and of the usurpation
of powers not granted by the Constitution :;
it acts as if the laws had binding force only
for those who are governed and not for
those who govern. II has thus struck q
blow At the fundamental principles of con
stitutional government and the liberties of
citizens.
The President of the United States has
openly used the powers aud opportunities of
his high office for the promotion of personal
ends; he has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men il places of power and re-
sponsibilI.y, to the desriment of the public
interest He has used the public service of
the government IS a machinery for partisan
and political Influence, and has interfered
with technical arrogance in the political af-
fairs Of States and municipalities. He has
rewarded with influential and lucrative of.
6ces men who had acquired bis favor BY val
uAble presents, thus stimulating the demor-
alizAtion of our political life BY his con.
spiouous eRADpe.
He has shown himself deplorably unequal
to the tasks imposed upon him by the ne
cesslties of the country, and culpably care.
less Of the responsibilities of his high office.
The partisans of the administration, Rssum-
ing to be the Republican party, and con-
trolling its organization, have Attem pied to
Justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses
TO the end of maintaining g partisan ascen-
dancy. They have stood in the way of ne
cessary Investigations and Indispensable re-
form, that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration of public
affairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
people, they have kept alive the passions
aud resentments of the late civil war, to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures and indirect
conflict with organic Law, instead of appeal
ing to the better instincts of talent and the
patriotism of the Southern people by restor-
ing to them those right Of enjoyment which
are indispensable to a successful admins
tration of their local affairs, and would tend
to more patriotic and hopeful national
feeling. They have sought to silence the
voice of Just criticism, to sti1e the moral
sense of the people and to subjagate public
opinion by a tyrsunical party discipline
They are striving to maintain themselves in
authority for selfish ends by the unscrupu-
lous use of powder which rightfully belongs
to the people and should be employed only
in the service Of the country.
Believing that an organization thus led
and controlled cannot longer be of service
to the best interests Of the republic, we have
resolved to make an independent appeal to
the sober judgment, conscience and patriot
ism Of the American people.
THE PLATFORM.
eve, the Liberal Repub blicans of the United
states, IN National Convention assembled, at
Cincinnati, proclaim ShO following principles
as essential 30 just government:
FTst-We recognize the equality Of men be-
fore the law, and hold that it is the duty Of the
Govern ment, in its dealings with the people, to
mete outequsl and exact justice to III, of what
evsr nativity, race, color persuasion, religious
or political,
Second-We pledge ourselves to maintain the
law, the union Of tuese States, emancipation
and enfFano ohisemsnt, and TO oppose any re-
opening of the questions settled by the Thir-
eeenLh, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments
Of the Constitution.
Ihrd-We emAnd the immediate and Abso-
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on
count OF the rebellion, which was finally subdued
seven years ago, believing that universal amnes
~ will result IN complete pReihcAton in all sec
LIons Of the country.
F0urth--LooAl self government, with Impair
tiA suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power. The
public welfare requires the supremacy of ths
| civil over military authority, and freedom of
persons Ut der the protection of the hGbeas cor
pus. We demand Tor the individual the largest
| liberty Consistent with public order, for the
state self government, and for the nation to re-
| turn TO the u ethods OF peace and the oonstiiu-
uonAl limitations Of power
| Fyth-The civil service Of the Government
has become mere instrument of partisan tyrAn'
| ny and pergOnal ambition and an object Of sell
hsh greed. 1t Is scand al and a reproaoh up
on free institutions, and breeds demo rAlIsation
dangerous to the psrpetuity of Republican
| Government.
''Sirth-We therefore regard thorough re-
| form of the civil service as one Of the m est
| pressing necessities of the hour; and honesty
al fidelity constitute the only valid claims TO-
public EN- pio oymsntth hat the Offices of Gove'nmont
cease to bo a matterof arbitrary fsiv oritisn an
patronage and that public station shall become
again the pos. of homer. To this ind II is i'm
Peratively required that no President shall be o
candidate for reelection.
''SeUenh-The public credit must be Iscrsdly
maintained, and we denounce repudiation in
every form and guIse
b'ght-A speedy return to specie payment is
demanded alike By the highest combinations of
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