Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-08
xJatlu Argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
s OF THE
LIBERAL Republican Convention,
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May 1, 2, and 3.
To the people Qfhe United States:-
OFFICIAL COPY.

To the people ofHe United StGtes:-
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregard OF
the laws of the land, and of usurping DO Eers
not granted by the constitution it has act
ed as if the laws had binding force only for
these who are governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t has thus struck blow at
the fundamental principles of constitutional
government and the liberties of the citizen.
The President of the United States has
openly used the powers and opportunities Of
bis high Office for the promotion of person
al ends.
lie has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men in places OF power and res pom
sibihty, to the detEiment OF the public inter
ests
He has used the public service of the gov
ernment as q machinery of corruption and
personal influence and has intertered with
ty ranicai arrogance in the political affairs of
states and municipalities.
| He has rewarded with influential and lu-
crAtive oticies men who had acquired bis IA
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
| the demonstration of our political life by his
conspicuous example.
| He has shown himself deplorably unequal
| to the task imposed upon him by the neces-
sites of the country, and Gu pably careless
of the responsibilities of his high office.
! The partissns of the Administration as
Stunning to be the Republican party, and con
trolling its organization, have attempted to
Justify such wrongs and palliste such abuses,
10 the end OF maintaining partisan ascend
aucy.
! They have stood In the way of necessary
Investigations and indispensable reforms,
pretending 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 and re-
sentiments of the late war, TO use them for
ihei. own advantage they have resorted to
arbitrary measures in direct conflict with
the organic Law, instead of appealing to the
better instincts and latent patriotism of the
southern people BY restoring to them these
rights, the enjoyment al which is indus per J.
sable to a successful ad minisIratton of their
local affairs, and would tend TO revive 8 pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
They hive degraded themselves and the
name Of then party, once justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by base syco-
pbancy to the dispenser Of executive power
aud patronage, unworthy OF republican tree
men they hsve sought to silence the voice
of Just CRITICS IN, and stite tie moral sense
of the people, and to sutjugate public
opinion by tyrsnnicsl party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselves
in authority for selfish ends by an unscrupu
lous use Of power the which rlghtfully
belongs to the people, and should be EN-
ployed only in the service of the country
Believing that an organization thus LED
and controlled can no longer be of service t.
the bests interests of the republic, we hsv'
resolved to make an inde pendent apes Il
the sober Judgment, conscience, and patriot
ian of the American people.