Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-09
pailp Arlgsiu,s.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF TIE
Liberal Republican Convention.
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May I, 2, and 8.
loFFICIAL coPY.l
6 ofMe United States.

To the people Of the United States
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregard Of
the laws of the land, and of usurpiug 20 Eers
not granted By the constitution; it has act.
cd ~ it the laws had binding force only for
these who are governed, and mot for those
who govern. It has thus struck blow at
the Fundamental principles of constitutional
government and tbs liberties Of the citizen.
The President Of the United States has
openly used the powers and opportunities of
his high Office for the promotion of person
al ends.
He has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men in places ofpowsr and respen-
sibility, to the detriment of the public inter
ests.
He has used the public service of the gov
eminent 10 machinery Of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfered with
syranicsl arrogance in the political affairs Of
states and municipalities.
he has rewarded with influential and lu-
oraiive of6oies men Who had acquired his ia
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the decentralization of our political life BY his
conspiolous example.
He has shown himself dsplorsbly unequal
10 the task imposed upon him BY the neces-
stiles of the country, and culpsbly careless
of the responsibilities of his high office.
The psrtisans of the administration az
suming TO be the Republican party, and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
Justify such wrongs and palliAte suoh abuses,
10 the end of maintaining partisan ascend
anoy.
They have stood il the way of necessary
| investigations and indispensable reforms
pretending that NO serious fault could be
found with the present administration o.
public affairs, thus seeking to blind The eyes
of the people.
They have kept alive the passions and re-
sentiments of the late war, to use them fol
their own advantage !; they have resorted &c
arbitrary measures in direct conflict with
the organic law, instead of appealing TO tbs
better instincts and latent patriotism of III,
southern people BY restoring to them thess
rights, the enjoyment OF which Is indlspea
sable to successful administration of Thei
local affairs, and would tend TO revive . pa
triolic and hopeful national feeling.
They hive degraded themselves and the
name of their party, once justly entitled Il
the confidence of the nation, by base syco
pbsncy to she dispenser of executive p0we
and patronage, unworthy of republican tree
men they have sought to silence the volO
of lust criticism, and stls the moral sens
of the people, and to subjugase pubh
opinion by tyrsnnieal party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselve
in authority for selfish ends by an unscrupu
Ions use Of power the which rightfull
belongs to the people, and should be en-
ploysd only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus LEI
and controlled can no longer be of service t
the besss interests of the republic, We hAv
resolved to make 81 independent appeal t
the sober Judgment, conscience, and patrol
lam Of the American people