Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-30
REVOLUTIONS.

We, the LlOer&l hepnDIcahs Oh Tue Y alteo
States, IN national convention assembled at
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential to just government:
l. We recognize the equality Of al men
before the law, and hold that it ia the duty Of
government, 10 It's 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 10 maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
frschisement, and to oppose any rs-opsning
OF the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendment of the
constitution.
3, We dem and the immediate and ALSO
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-
6cstion in all sections of the country.
4. Local self-govsrnment, 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, and
the freedom of person under the protection
of the hdbeGS corpus. We demand for the
individual The lArgest liberty consistent with
publ order, for the state self-government
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 g mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
iect of selfish greed. IL is 9 scandal anC
reproach upon free institutions, and breed
decentralization dangerous TO the perpetui
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
estv, capacity, and fidelity constitute tn,
only valid claims to public employment
that the Offices Of the government cease Il
| be matter Of arbitrary fsvoritlsm and pat
ronage, and that public station shall becom
again place OF honor. To this end it i
Impe1atively required that no Presiden
shall be candidate for re election.
| Z. We demand & system of federal ia I
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whicI
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses Of the Government, economl
cally administered, the pensions, the interes
on the dublic debt, and q moderate annus
reduction Of the principal thereof; an
recognizing that there are, in our mids
honest but Irreconcilable differences Of opiI
ION with regard to the respective systems {
protection and free trade, We remit the dit
cussion of the subject to the people in the
congressional districts, and the decision {
Congress thereon, wholly free from executiv
interference or dictation.
8. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, and We denoance repudiatio
10 every form and guise.
9. A speedy return to specie paymen
is demanded alike by the highest consider
tons of commercial morality and hone
> government.
=. 10. We remember with gratitude Il
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers al
sailors of the Republic, and no act of on
shall ever detract from their justly earn,
fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
Q IL. We are opposed to all further gran
of land to railroads or other corporation
The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
, II. We hold that it is the duty Of t
. government IN its intercourse with foreiI
q nations to cultivate the friendships of pea
by treating With all on fair and equal tern
regarding it alike dishonorabie to demsl
what is not right or submit to what
= wrong.
IL. For the promotion and saccees
these vital principles, and the support OF t
candidates nominsted By this eonventiC
we invite and cordially welcome thsce-op
alton of all patriotic citizens without req
to previous political utilization.