Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-05-17
ADEE ESS.

LttC Ia 10 ilftA DitANAsAa7 A'AN OiA4 AOA
those who are governed and not for
those who govern. Ii has thus struck a
blow at the fundamental principles
OF constitutional government, and the
liberties Of the citizens The Presi-
dent Of the United States has openly
used the powers and opportunities OF
his hi h Office for the promotion of
personal ends. He has kept nOtori- |
ously CORPUS and unworthy men in
places Of power aud respectfully to
the detriment of the public interest.
He has used the public service OF the |
government rs a machinery of parti-
san and personal influence, and inter
lerred with tyrannical arc ance in the
political affairs Of States and munich
pallties he has rewarded with inHu-
entail and lucrative Office men who |
had acquired his favor by valuable |
presents, thus stimulating the demon
alIzatiom of our political life by his
conspicuous example. He has shown
himself deplorab!y unqualified to the
tasks imposed upon him by the nec>
essities Of the country, and culpably
careless of the responsibilities of his
! nigh office. The partiSanS of the ad-
miuiSiration, assuming to be the Re
/ publican party. and controlling its or
/ ganizatiou, have attempted to justify
/ such wrongs, and paliIate such abu-
seS, to the end of maintaining Partl
san ascendency. They have stood III
the way of necessity investigation and
indispensable reform that, as seri
Gus fault could be found with the pres
ent administration OF puplic affairs,
thus seeking to blind the eyes Of the |
people: they have kept alive the pas
sions and reseutments of the late civ
il war, to use them for their own adj |
vantage. They have resOrted to ar
biura.y measures in direct conflict |
with the organic Law. instead Of APP
peaiing to the better instincts al |
latent patriotism Of the Southern peo- |
PIE by restoring 10 them those rights |
The enjoyment OF which Is ind spensa-
nle for a successful administration OF |
their own local affairs, and would |
tend to move n patriotic and hopeful
national feeling. Tney have degra-
ded themselves and the name OF i |
parry Justly entitled to the confidence
of the nation, by a base sycOphancy
to the desput of Executive power ana
patronage, unworthy Of Repubii"an
| lreemen. They have sought to 81.
fence the voice Of just criticism, to
sliile the moral sense of the people
and subjugate public opinion by ~
ranuical party Discipline. They are
/ striving to m1intlin themselves in au
/ thorily for selfish ends. by an unscru
pulous use for the power which right
I fully belongs to the people, and
should be employnG only in the ser
vice of the country. Believing that
an organization thus led and control
/ led, could no longer be of service 70
the best interests of the republic,
we have resolved to make an indie
pendent appeal to the sober judy,
ment, concience and patriotism OF
/ the American people.
/ RESOLUTIONS.
/ We, the Liberal Republicans Of the
! Uaitad 5 aleS, in National Conyen-
ION assembled at Cincinnati, pro-
claim the following principles as es-
seuJ.al to a just government.
We recognize the equality of all
men before the law, and hold that
/ it is the duty OF the government in
It's dealings mith the people to mete
out equal and exact justice t. all, OF
whatever nativity, race, color or per
sau,ion. religious or political.
,. We pledge ourselves to maintain
/ tie union OF these States, emancipa-
/ ton and in franchisement, and to OPP
pose any reopeming of the questions
settled by the 18th, 14th, and 10Th
amendments Of the constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and
absolute removal Of all disabilities
/ imposed on account Of the rebellion,
which was finally subdued several
years ago believing that universal
amnesty will result in complete paci
( fcation in all sections Of the coun-
try.
4, Social self government with i'm
partial suffrage will guard the rights
of all citizens more securely than any
centralized power. The people and
the puplic welfare requires the ST.
premacy of the civil over the militia
nv authority. and freedom Of p rson
under the protection OF the habeas
corpus We demand for the indivId-
ual the largest liberty, consistent with
public order, for the State self gov
crnment aud for the nation a return
10 the methods of peace and the
constitutional limitations of power.
,. The civil service of the Govern
ment has become a mere instrument
of partisan tyranny and personal am
bit,on and an object of selfish greed.
l. is a scandal and reproach upon
free institutions, and breeds de-
moraization dangerous to the perpet-
uaty of republican government,
G. We therefore regard a thorough
reform Of the civil service as one OF
of the most pressing necessities Of the
hour; that honesty. capacity and f.
deity constitute the only valid
claims TO public employment; that
the officers of the Government cease
to be matter OF arbitrary fayoritism
and patronage, and that public sta
ton become again post of honor
30 tlis end it is imperativel5 required
that no President shall be 4 oaEdl-
date for re collection,
Z. We demand a system OF FEEDER
al taxaIi IN which shall not unneces-
essarily interfere with the industry
of the people. and which shall pro-
.iAe the n1eans- nt.cessarv To pay the