Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-15
REVOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans Of the I nited
Ciuclnoat,, proclaim the following principles
as essential to just government;
l. We recognize the equality of all men
before the Law, and hold that it 's the duty Of
government, in its dealings vita 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 ment, and to oppose any re-opsning
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
3. 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 in complete paci-
fcation 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, aud
the freedom of person under the protection
of the hdbeas corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state self-government,
and for the nation q 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 and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject of selfish greed. 1t is a scandal and
re proaeh upon free institutions, and breeds
a decentralization dangerous to the perpetui-
ty of Republican government.
! g. We therefore, regard thorough re-
| form of the civil service as one of the most
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute the
only valid claims to public employment
that the Offices of the government cease to
be matter of arbitrary fAvoritiSm and pat
ronage, and that public station shall become
again place of honor. To this end it is
imperAtively required that no President
shall be candidate for re election.
I. We demand system of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interfere
with the industry Of the people, and which
shall provide the means necessary to pay
the expenses of the Government, economi
cAlly administered, the pensions, the interes
on the dublic debt, and 3 moderate annua
reduction of the principal thereof; and
recognizing that there are, in our midst
honest but irreconcilable differences Of opin
ion with regard to the respective systems o
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
cussion of the subject to the people in thei
congressional oiStricts, and the decision Q
Congress thereon, wholly free from executive
interference or dictAtion.
The ki;n nrsd,t h. .anraIi
maintained, and We denouncs repudiatio
10 every form and guise.
3. A speedy return to specie payment
. is demanded alike by the highest considers
> tons of commercial morality and hone,
:. government.
10. We remember with gratitude th
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers an
sailors of the Republic, and no act of oul
shall ever detracs from their Justly earne
% fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
% IL. We are opposed to all further gran
;, of land to railroads or other corporation
u The public domain should be held sacred |
D. actual settlers.
IN u. We hold that it is the duty of II
y governme Mt in its intercourse with foreig
nations to cultivate the friendships Of peat
by treating With all on fair and equal term
regarding it alike dishonorable to deman
= what is NOT right or submit to what
wrong.
IL For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and tho support of Il
candidates nominated by this conventio
we invite and cordially welcome the eo-ope
alton Of eli patriotic citizens without regsl
to previous political utilization.
The same platform, word for word, v,
adopted BY the Democratic National Co