The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-05-10
The Liberal Republicans.

The Liberal Republican Conven-
ion which met at Cincinnati last
week, adopted the following resolu-
ions by reclamation:
WE, the Liberal Republicans of the
United States, in National Conven-
ion assembled, at Cincinnati, pro-
claim the following principles as es-
iential to just government:
1st. We recognize the equality of
Ill men before the law, and hold
hat it is the duty of the government,
N its dealings with tie people, to
nete out equal and exact justice to
all, of whatever nativity, race, color
Or persuasion, religious or political.
I'd. We pledge ourselves to main
tain the Union of these States, the
emancipation and Acknowledgement,
and to oppose any re-openiEg of the
questions settled by the thirteenth,
and fifteenth amend
ments of the Constitution.
Sd. We demand theimmediate and
absolute removal of all disabilities
imposed On account of the rebellion,
which was finally subdued several
years ago, believing that universal
amnesty will result in a complete
pacitication in all sections OF tn;
country.
4tb. Local self-government with
impartial suffrage, will guard the
rights of all citizens more securely
than any centralized power. The
people, the public welfare requires
the supremacy of the civil over the
military authority, and the freedom
# persons under the protection of
The habeas corpus. We demand for
the individual the largest liberty
consistent with public order; for the
State self-government, and for the
nation a return TO the methods of
peace and the constitutional limita-
ton ofpower.
9TH. The civil service of the Gov
eminent has become q mere iustru-
ment of partisan tyranny and person
al ambition, and an object of selfish
greed. 1t is a scandal and a reproach
upon free institutions, and breeds a
decentralization dang rous to the per-
petuity of republican government.
9th. We therefore regard a thor.
ough reform of the civil service as
one of the most pressing necessities
of the hour; that honesty and fideli
~ constitute the only valid claims to
public employment; that the offices
Of the Government cease to be mat.
ter af arbitrary favoritism and pat
ronage; and that public station
should become again post of honor.
TO this end it is imperatively requir-
ed that no President shall be candi-
date for reelection.
7th. We demand system of Fed
eral taxation which shall not unne-
cessarily interfere with The industry
of the people, and which shall pro-
vide the means necessary to pay the
expenses of the Government econom.
ically administered, the pensions, the
interest on the public debt, and q
moderate annual reduction of the
principal thereof. And recognizing
that there are in our midst honest blu,
irreconcilable differences of opinion
with regard to the respective sys.
TENS of protection and free trade, we
remit the discussion of the subject tC
the people in their Congressional
Districts, and the decision CT Con.
gress thereon, wholly free of Execu.
tive interference or dic,ation.
Sth. The public credit must be So.
credly maintained, and we denounce
reputation in every form and guise
9th. A speedy return to specie pay.
ments is demanded alike by the
highest considerations of commercial
morality and honest Government.
10th. We remember with gratitude
the herOism and sacrifices of the sol.
diers and sailors of the republic, and
ne act of ours shall ever detract from
their Justly earned fame, or the full
rewards Of their patriotism.
1lth. We are opposed to all fur.
Their grants of lands to railroads and
other corporations. The public do
main should be held sacred to actual
settlers.
18th. We hold that it is the duty
ofthe Government in its intercourse
to cultivate friendship and peace by
treating with all Oh fair and equal
terms, regarding it alike dishonOra-
BILE either to demand what is not
right or to submit to what is wrong.
18th. For the protection and sue
cess of these vital principles, and the
support of the candidates nominated
by this convention, we invite and
cordially welcome the cooperation
of all patriotic citizens without re-
gard to previous political affiliations.
ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
The following address TO the Amer
lean people, submitted by the Com
mittee OIL Resolutions, was adopted
unanimously:
The Administration now i'm power
has rendered itself guilty of wan
ton disregard of the laws of the land,
and of powers not granted by the
Constitution. 1t has acted as if the
laws had a binding force only for
those who are governed, and not for
those who govern. 1t has struck
blow at the fundamental principles
of constitutional government, and
the liberties of the citizens. The
President of tie United States has
openly used the powers and appoint
ments of his high Office, for the pro-
motion of personal ends. He has
kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and I'M
worthy men in places of power and
responsibility, TO the detriment of
the public interest. He uses the
public service of the Government as
a machinery of partisan and personal
and interferes with techni-
cal arrogance in the political affairs
of States and municipalities, he has
rewarded with influential and lucra-
tive Offices, men who had acquired
his favor by presents, thus st llulat-
ing the Generalization of our politi-
cal life by his conspicuous example.
He has shown himself deplorably
unequal to the tasks imposed upon
him by the necessities of the country,
and culpably careless of the respon-
sibilities ofhis high office.