Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-31

! we, bbe LiOeEtl popouilcaus Vi tAe | uIteo
States, In national convention assembled al
CincmaHti, proclaim the following principles
as essential 10 just government:
/. We recognize the equality o! al men
! before the law, aud hold that it is the duty OF
govern ment, in It's dealings with the people,
so 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-
| frachise ment, and TO oppose any re-opening
of the questions settled by the thirteenth
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments Of the
/ constitution.
,. We dem and the immediate and ALSO
| lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on
account Of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, beilevlng that uni
versal amnesty will result in complete paci-
6ostion in all sections of the country.
| l. Local sefgoverpment, with impArtia /
suffrage, will guard the righn of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power.
The public welfare requires the supremacy
of The civil over the military authority, and
the freedom of person under the protection
of the habeas corpus We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state sslf-government,
and for the nation q return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
5. The civil service of the government
has become q mere instrument Of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
iect of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and
re proach upon free Institutions, and breeds
a decentralization dangerous 10 the perPetui
~ of Republican government
6. We therefore, regard q thorough re
form of the civil service as one of the mos
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
es.y, capacity, and idshty constitute th'
only vAhd claims to public employment
that the offices of the government cease Ii
De 3 matter of arbitrary fsvOritIsm and pat
ronaRe, and that public station shall become
! again 8 place OF honor. To this end it il
llmperAtively required that no Presiden
shall be candidate for re election.
I. We demand system OF federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whicl
shall provide the means necessary to pa
, the expenses of the Government, economi
cally Ad ministered, the pensions, the lnteret
on the dublic debt, and moderate annus
red uction Of tie principal thereof; AM
recognizing that there are, in our mids
1 honest but irreconoilable differences of opiE
! ION with regard to the respective systems {
protection and free trade, we remit the di,
cussion of the subject to the people in the
congressional districts, and the decision
= Congress thereon, wholly free from executiv
j interference or diCtatlon.
- &. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, aud we deu0uuce repndi atlo
ID 10 every form and guise.
9. A speedy return TO specie psymen
= is demanded alike by tue highest consider
:, lions of commereiAl morality and hone
government.
10. We remember with gratitude Il
70 heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers al
sailors of The Republic, and no act Of gu
n shall ever detract from their Justly earnt
fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
90 IL. We are opposed to all further gran
to Of land TO railroads or other corporation
=. The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
ip- IL. We hold that it is the duty of Il
on government IN its intercourse with foreis
"a nations TO cultivate the friendships Of pea
by treating With all on fair aud equal term
regarding it alike disbonorabe to dems'
, what is not right or submit to what
= wrong.
> H. For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and the support OF i
candidates uomiUsted oy this convent,
: We invite and cordially selcome TBS coop
e alton of ali patriotic cluzens without regs
n 10 previous political utilization.
I