Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-19
RESOLUTIONS.

{,
States, IN national convention assembled at
CincInnAtI, proclaim the following principles |
as essential to just government:
/. We recognize the equality Of al men |
before the Jaw, and hold that 1t is the duty Of
govern nent, in It's dealings with the people,
TO mete out equal and exact justice to all,
OF whatever nativity, race, color or peTsua
sion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves TO maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
fracbisement, 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 sbso-
| 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 pacl-
/ location in all sections of the country.
| 4. Local selfgovernment, 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, aud
the freedom of person under the protection
of the kabeas corpus. We demand for the
Individual The largest liberty consistent with
.
and for the nation a return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
5. The civil service of the government
has become 9 mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ.
iect of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and
reprosch upon free institutions, and breeds
a Generalization dangerous to the perpetul
ty of Republican government
6. We therefore, regard a thorough re
form of the civil service as one OF the mos
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
eAty, capacity, and fidelity constitute th'
9 only valid claims to public employment
that the Offices of the government cease Il
be matter of arbitrary favortism and pat
ronAge, and that public station shall becom
+! again q place of honor. To this end It /
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 whic
shall provide the means necessary to pa
10 the expenses of the Government, econom
cally administered, the pensions, the intereI
on the dublic debt, and a moderate annu'
reduction of the principal thereof; an
recognizing that there are, in our mids
4 honest bat irreconoilable differences of OPT
ion with regard to the respective systems
Q protection and free trade, we remit the di
cussion of the subject TO the people In the
congressional di1tricts, and the decision
Congress thereon, wholly free from executi'
, interference or dictatiou.
d s. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, and we denounce repudistit
It'll IN every form and guise.
9. A speedy return to specie paymen
Ar is demanded alike by the highest consider
10 lions of commercial morality aud hone
es government.
10. We remember with gratitude I
hes heroism and sacrifices Of the soldiers q
sailors of the Republic, and no act of OF
ms shall ever detract from their Justly earn
' fame or the full rewards of their PATRIOTS
ZOE IL. We are opposed to all further graz
to Of land to railroads or other corporation
The public domain should be held sacred
Ieh actual settlers.
j., y. We hold that it is the duty of
non government in its intercourse with forei
any Nations to cultivate the friendships of pei
~ by treating With all on fair and equal teri
regarding it alike dishonnrable to dems
.: 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 eo-oI
P alton of all patriotic citizens without reg
a as TO previous political utilization.