Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-16
REVOLUTION

We, the Liberal kepnOHeans OF the I niteo
States, IN national convention assembled 81
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential to Just government:
/. We recognize the equality OF all men
before the law, and hold that it 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 persus
sion, religious or political.
2 We pledge ourselves to maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
frachise ment, and TO oppose any rs-opsning
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amend ments 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
versal mnesty will result In complete pRcI-
6cation in all sections of the country.
4. Local self-government, with impsrtis !
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 hdbedS corpus. We demand for the
individual .he largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state sslf-governnent
and for the nation return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
5. The OWL service of the government
has become q mere instrument Of partisan
| tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
reproach upon free institutions, and breed
generalization dangerous to the perpetul
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 public employ ment
| that the Offices of the government cease t
be matter of arbitrary fsvoritism and pal
ronage, and that public station shall becom
again q place OF honor. To this end it
imperstively required that no Presider
shall be candidate for re election.
| I. We demand q system of federal tai
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whic
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses Of the Government, econom
cally administered, the pensions, the intere
on the dublic debt, and moderate annuI
reduction of the principal thereof; an
recognizing that there are, in our mids
honest but irreconoilable differences of OPT
ion with regard to the respective systems
protection and free trade, We remit the di
cussion of the subject to the people in the
I, congressional Districts, and the decision
| Congress thereon, wholly free from sxecuti'
. interference or dictstioB.
Tx nuklin ynuaf ha saora1
maintained, and we denounce repudiati'
10 every form and guise.
: 8. A speedy return to specie psymen
= is demanded alike by the highest consider
> tons of commercial morality and hons
government.
10. We remember with gratitude t
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers n
! sailors of the Republic, and no act of on
shall ever detrAct from their Justly earn
90 fame or the full rewards of their PATRIOTS
to IL. We are opposed TO all further graz
Of land to railroads or other corporation
"a The public domain should be held sacred
D. actual settlers.
On IL. We hold that it is the duty Of /
W government in its intercourse with forei
nations to cultivate the friendships of pes
By treating With all on fair and equal terri
regarding it alike dishonorable to dema
: what is not right or submit to what
wrong.
10 For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and the support of
candidates nominated by this convent
We invite and cordially welcome the coop
alton of all patriotic citizens without reg
10 previous political utilization.