Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-29

We, the Liberal hepnD1lcans Oh inc hL'e0
States, In national convention assembled at
Ciuclnn natl, proclaim the following principles
as essential to just government
|. We recognize the equality OF all men
before the Law, and hold that il is the duty OF
government, in its dealings with the people, |
to mete out equal and exact justice to all,
of whatever nativity, race, color or persua'
sion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves TO maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
frschise ment, and TO oppose any rs-openlng
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
! fourteenth and fifteenth amendments OF the
constitution.
3. We dem md the immediate and aoso
| Int removal of all disabilities imposed on
account Of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
verssl amnesty will result In complete pacl-
6cstion in all sections of the country.
| 4. Local self-government, with impsrtIa
suffrage, will guard the rights OF all citizens
more securely than any centralized power.
i The public welfare requires the supremacy
of the civil over the military authority, and
the freedom of person under the protection
of the h0beds corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state self-governnent,
and for the nation a return TO the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
:. The civil service Of the government
has become q mere instrument OF partisan
TYRANNY and personal ambition, and an OBJ
isct of selfish greed. 1t is . scandal ant
reproach upon free institutions, and breed
Decentralization dangerous to the perpetuI
ty of Republican government.
6. We therefore, regard thorough re
form of the civil service as one OF the mos
, pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute tn
% only valid claims TO pubic employment
that the offices of the govern ment cease
be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and pa
ronase, and that public station shall becom
! again place OF honor To this end it
imperAtively required that no PresideI
shall be candidate for re election.
: 7. We demand q system OF federal tai
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whie
7 shall provide the means necessary to pi
!, the expenses of the Government, econom
cally administered, the pensions. the intere
on the dnblic debt, and . moderate annu
reduction Of the principal thereof; al
recognizing that there are, in our MD
4 honest but irreconcilable differences OF OPT
| ion with regard to the respective systems
protection and free trade, we remit the
cussion of the subject to the people in thu
congregational districts, and the decision
Congress thereon, wholly free from eIecutl
el interference or dietation.
" &. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, and We denouuee repudiati
itn 10 every form and guise.
9. a speedy return to specie psymei
ar is demanded alike by the highest eonside
~. lions of commercial morality and hon
government.
10. We temember with gratitude
''' heroism and sassi6oes of the soldiers q
sailors of The Republic, and no act OF o
, sns shall ever detract from their jastly earl
fame or the full rewards of their patr'oeia
O,Oe II. We are opposed to all fursher gra
to of land 10 railroads or other corporstlo
A Tbs public domain should be hello sacred
actual settlers.
GRIN IL We hold that it is the duty Of
Iiion government in lis intercourse wath lore
q any nations to cultivate the friendships or pc
by treating With all on fair aud equal ter
regarding it alike disbonorAble to dem,
~, ~ what is NO. right or submit to shat
. wrong.
10. For the promotion aud success
- these vital principles, and the support Of
q candidates dominated BY this convent
o. We invite and cordially welcome tbs COO
Up alton Of all patriotic citizens without reg
han 10 previous political Sfihaiion.
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