Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-12

We, the Liberal Republicans of the nited |
States, in national convention assembled al
/ Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles |
as essential 10 Just government:
| /. We recognize the equality Of all men
before the Law, and hold that 1t 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 PERSIA
sion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to msiutain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
frachisemeut, and 10 oppose any re-opsning
of the questions settled by the thirteenth
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
3. 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, believing that uni
verssl amnesty will result In complete psci-
6cstion 10 all sections of the country.
4. Local selfgovernment, with iupsrtiSl
suffrage, will guard the rights 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 hdbeGs corpus. We demand for the
individual lhe largest liberty consistent with
I PUBIC OTuSE, sOT tuG bt6bS -S0fosu"cuh
and for the nation return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
8. The civil service of the government
has become 9 mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personsl ambition, and an OBJ
iect of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and
reproach upon free institutions, and breeds
decentralization dangerous to the perpetui-
ty Of Republican government.
G. We therefore, regard a thorough re-
form of the civil service as one of the most
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
es,y, capacity, aud fidelity constitute the
. only valid claims to public employment
that the offices Of the government cease &c
be matter of arbitrary fsvoritsm and pat
ronage, and that public station shall become
again place OF honor. To this end it il
imperatively required that no Presiden
;, shall be candidate for re election.
, :. We demand system Of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interfer,
with the industry of the people, and which
/. shall provide the means necessary to pa,
the expenses of the Government, economi
oally administered, the pensions, the interes
on the dublic debt, and moderate snnus
reduction of the principal thereof; anc
\ recognizing tnet tnefe are, III our MUS
| honest but irreconcilabe differences Of opir
ion with regard to the respective systems
protection and free trade, We remit the din
= cussion of the subject to the people in the
} congressional oiStriets, and the decision {
Congress thereon, wholly free from executiy
it'll interference or dictation.
8. The public credit must be sacred
ar maintained, and we denounce rePudiHtio
mo in every form and guse.
e' 8. A speedy return to specie paymen
is demanded alike by the highest consider
hes tons of commercial morality and hone
government.
ms 10. We remember with gratitude Il
vi heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers al
D 90 sailors of the Republic, and no act of on
to shall ever dstrAct from their justly earn'
fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
Iett IL. We are opposed to all further gran
Of land 10 railroads or other corporation
non The public domain should be held sacred
any actual settlers.
d" II. We hold that it is the duty of t
government IN its intercourse with foreil
.. nations to cultivate the friendships Of pea
By treating With all on fair and equal tern
regarding it alike dishonorAble to demar
what is not right or submit to what
N wrong.
} l3 For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and the support of I
,: candidates nominated by this conventit
he we invite and cordially welcome the coop
an alton Of all patriotic citizens without regs
e; to previous political utilization.