Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-05-09

opinion by tyrannical party dis
cipline; they are striving to main
tam themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an INSCRIPTIONS
use of the power which rightful.
ly belongs to the people, and
should he employed only in the
service of'the country.
Believing that nc organization
thus led aud controlled can no
longer be of service to the best
interests of the Reprblic, we
have resolved to make an inde-
pendent appeaLto the sober judg-
ment, conscience and patriotism
of the American people.
RESOLUTIONS.
We, the Liberal Republicans OF
the United States, in National
Convention assembled at Cincin
natl, proclaim the following
principles as essential to just
government.
l.. We recognize the equality
of all before the law, and hold
that it is the duty of Govern
mentin its dealings with the peo-
pie to mete out equal and exact
Justice to all of whatever nativi-
ty, race, color OF persuasion, re-
lieious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to
maintain the Union of the States,
emancipation and enfranchise-
ment, and oppose any reopening
of the questions settled by the
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fif-
teenth Amendments of the Con-
stitution.
3. We demand Immediate and
absolute removal of all disabili-
ties imposed on account of the
rebellion, which was finally sub
dned seven years ago, believing
that universal amnesty will re-
suit in complete p~acitication in
all sections of the country.
4. Local self-government, with
impartial suffrage, will guard the
rights ofzai1 citizens more secure
ly than any centralized power
The public welfare requires the
supremacy of the civil over the
military authority, and the free
dom ~ofperson under the protec-
ton of the ha6eds corpus. We
demand for the individual the
largest liberty consistent with
the public order, for the State
self-government, and for the Ma
ton return to the methods of
peace and the constitutional linn
itations of power.
5. The civil service of the
Goyernmentshas become a mere
instrument of partisan tyranny
and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject of selfish greed. 1t is a scan
DIAL and reproach upon free insti~
tutions, and breeds a demolaliza-
ton dangerous to the rosperity
of Republican Government.
6. We therefore regard q thor
ough reform of the civil service
as one of the most pressing ne
cessities of the hour; that homes
ty, capacity and fidelity consti-
tute the only valid claims to pub
lie employment; that the Offices
of the Government cease to be a
matter OF arbitrary favoritism
and p~atronag e, and that public
stations become again a p st of
honor. To this end it is iinpera-
lively required that no President
shall be a candidate for re>elec-
ton.
Z. We demand a system of
Federal taxation which shall not
unnecessarily interfere with the
Of the people, and shall
provide sufficient means to pay
the expenses of the Government,
economically administered, pen
sinns, and the interest on the
public debt, and a moderate an,
nua! reduction of the principal
thereof; but recognizing the eX-
isteuce in u midst of honest
but irreconciliate differences OF
opiuien upon the merits of the
respective systems of protection
and free trade, we remit the dis
cussion of the subject to the peo-
pie in their Congressional dis
%tricts, and to.the decision of Con-
gress thereon, wholly free from
Executive interference of dlcta-
ton.
8 The public credit must be
sacredly maintained, and we de
ounce rerudiation in every form
and gnise.
8. A speedy return to specie
payment is demanded alike by
he highest considerations of
commercial a.orality and honest
government.
10. We remember with graft
tutle the heroism and sacrifices of
the soldiers and sailors of the
Republic, and no act of ours shall
ever detract from their Justly
earned fame or the full rewards
of their patriotism.
IL. We are opposed to all fur