Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-10
REsoLUTIONs.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the [ nited /,
States, In national convention assemble al
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles !
as essential to just government:
l. We recognize the equality Of all men
be fore the law, and hold that it is the duty OF
government, 10 its dealings with the people,
to mete out equal and exact justice to all,
of whatever nativity. race, color or persus,
sion. religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
union Of these states, emancipation aud en-
fraohsement, 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 psci-
6eaton in all sections of tbs country.
4. Local elf-kovernment, with in psrtiA
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than sny centralized power.
! The public welfare requires the supremacy
of the civil over the military authority, and
the freedom of persou under the protection
| Of the kQbsdS corpus We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
| public order, for the state self-goverDmeut,
and for tue 1ation a return to the methods
! of peace and the constitutional limitations
/ of power
| >. The civil service Of the government
has become mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal Ambluon, and an OBJ
| lect of selfish greed. IL is a scandal and
reprosch upon free Institutions, and breeds
decentralization dangerous 10 the perPetul-
| " Of Republican government.
! 6. We therefore, regard a thorough re-
| form of the civil service one ct the most
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capscity, and fidelity constitute the
only valid claims to pu5hc employ ment !;
that the Offices of the government cease to
be matter of arbitrary fsvorltism and pat
ronege, and that public station shall become
! again q place OF honor. To this end it Ia
limperstively required that no President
shall be candidate for re election.
:. 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 interest
on the dubIic debt, and moderate annual
reduction Of the principal thereof; and
recognizing that there are, in our midst
honest but irreconcilabls differences of opin'
ION with regard to the respective systems Of
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
cussion of the ubjeet to the people in their
congressional Districts, and the decision o.
Congress thereon, wholly free from executive
b interference or dictatiop.
8. The public credit must be Sacredly
= maintained, and We denounce Reputation
o in every form and guise.
), 8, q speedy return to specie payments
is demanded alike By the highest cousiders
$ tons Of commercial morality and homes
government.
5 10. We remember with gratitude tn
! berosm aud sacrifices Of the soldiers snt
,o sailors of the Republic, and no act of our
q shall ever detract FROM their iustly Garnet
fame or the full rewards OF their PATRIOTS u
tt IL. We are opposed to all further grant
Of land to railroads or other corporation
n The public domain should be held sacred t
~ actual settlers.
20 y. We hold that it is the duty of tn
government in its intercourse with foreig
nations to cultivate the friendships Of peRo
BY treating with all on fair and equal terms
regarding it alike dishonorsble to deman
what is not right or submit 20 what /
wrong.
13 For the promotion aud success G
these vital prIncipies and the support of th
candidates nominated by this convention
we invite and cordially welcome the cooper
alton of all patriotic citizens without reg"r
to previous political utilization.