Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-07
REVOLUTIONS.


We, the Liberal Republicans of the L nited
States III national convention embed at
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential to just government
I |. We recognize the equality OF al men
/ before the Law, and hold that it is the duty Of
! government, 10 It's dealings with the people,
/ 20 mete out equal and exact Justice TO all,
/ OF whatever nativity. race, color or persus
sion. religious or political.
! ?. We pledge ourselves to maintsin the
union Of these states, emancipation and en-
/ frRchisement, and 10 oppose any re-opsning
of the questions settled by the thirteenth
fourteenth and fifteenth amend ments OF the
/ constitution.
>. We dem and the immediate and abso
/ lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on
account OF the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result 10 complete pacl-
hcation in all sections Of Tbs country.
/ t. Locaself governmeut, 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 habedS corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state elf-government
and for the nation return TO the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
5. The civil service OF the government
has become q mere instrument OF partisan
tyranny aud personal ambition, and an Oh
ioct of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and
re prosch upon free Institutions, and breeds
a decentralization dangerous TO the perpet III
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 tht
only valid claims to pubic employment
that the Offices Of the government cease tt
be a matter of arbitrary favorltism and pat
, ronsge, and that public station shall becom
again q place OF honor. To this end it i
imperatively required that no Presiden
shall be candidate for re election.
I. We demand system of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whie
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses of the Government, econom
cslIy ad administered, the pensions, the interei
on the dubiiu debt, and moderate aunus
reduction Of the principal thereof; ant
\ recognizing that there are, IN our mids
| honest but iTrec0ncilabla differences of opIi
ION with regard TO the respective syatems
protection and free trade, we remit the di
cussion of the subject 10 the people in the
10 congressional ciStrIets, and the decision
Congress thereon wholly free from executi'
tn Interference or dictGtieu.
s. The public credit must be sacred
r maintained, and we denouuce repudiatiC
40 10 every form aud guise.
~ 9. A speedy return to specie paymen
is demanded nike by the highest consider
'S lions of commercial morality and hone
government.
n 10. We remember with gratitude Il
heroism and sacrifices Of the soldiers al
,Oo sailors of the Republic, and no act of ou
to shall ever detract from their lastly earn
fame or the full rewards of their patriolisl
GU II. We are opposed to all further gran
in of land to railroads or other corporation
ION Tbs public domain should be held sacred
my actual settlers.
y. We hold that it is the duty Of t
government IN its intercourse with fore
= nations to cultivate the friendships Of pea
= by treating With all on fair and equal tern
regarding it alike dishonnrable to dema
what is not right or submit to what
wrong.
IL For the promotion and success
these vital pFiHciples, and the support OF
candidates nominated By this conventi'
n we invite and cordially welcome the co-op
alton of all patriotic citizens without reg
4 to previous political utilization.