Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-14
REVOLUTIONS

We, the Liberal Republicans OF the aIted !
States, in national convention assembled at
CincInnat,, proclaim the following principles |
as essential to just government:
/. We recognize the equality OF all men
before the Law, and hold that il is the duty Of
government, 10 It's dealings with the people,
to 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 10 emit, and 10 oppose any re-opsning
of The questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amend ments of the
constitution.
3. We dem and the immediate and Abso
! Int removal of all disabilities imposed on
account Of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in complete paci-
| 6cation in all sections of the country.
4. Local self government, with impsrtia
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 self-government,
and for the nation a return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of pover.
s. The civil service of the government
has become q mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, aud an OBJ
iect of selfish greed. Ii is . scandal snt
re prOach upon free institutions, and breeds
q decentralization dangerous to the perpetu,
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, aud fidelity constitute tn
only valid claims to public employment
Q that the offices of the govern ment cease t
be matter of arbitrary favoritism and pal
ronaRe, and that public station shall beoom
again place OF honor. To this end it ]
imperatively required that no Presider
shall be candidate for re election.
!. We demand system OF federal tai
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry Of the people, and who
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses of the Government, econom
!, cAlly administered, the pensions, the intere
on the dubic debt, and 3 moderate snnn
reduction of the principal thereof; an
recognizing that there are, in our mlds
honest but irrecorcilsble differences Of OPT
4 ion with regard to the respective systems
I protection and free trade, We remit the d
cussion Of the subject to the people in the
, congressional diStricts, and the decision
al Congress thereon, wholly free from executi
- interference or dictation.
s. The public credit must be sacred
Ith maintained, and we denouncs repudiati
10 every form aud guise.
ar 9. A speedy return to specie paymer
no is demanded alike by the highest consider
'''' tons of commercial morality and hon'
:. government.
''' 10. We remember with gratitude
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers q
am, an sailors of the Republic, and no act of OF
shall ever detrsct from their Justly earn
200 fame or the full rewards of their patriots
to IL. We are opposed to all further gra
Of land to railroads or other corporate
N'N The public domain should be held sacred
rim actual settlers.
ton Il. We hold that it is the duty Of
q Az ~ government IN its intercourse with fore
nations TO cultivate the friendships Of pei
by treating With all on fair and equal teri
" regarding it alike dishonnrsble 10 dems
. what is not right or submit to what
wrong.
: l3. For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and the support Of
candidates nominated by this cop, emit
We invite and cordially welcome '',s co-o,
7 alton of all patriotic citizens sithout reg
sS to previous political sfilis',on.