Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-06
REVOLUTIONS.


States, In national convention assembled ct
Cincinnst,, proclaim the following principles
as essential TO just government:
l. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty Of
government, in 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 and en-
frsch isement, and TO oppose any rs-opening
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
;. We dem md the immediate and Rhso-
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on
account of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
versnl amnesty will result in complete paci-
6cation in all sections of the country.
4. Local self-government, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights of oil 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 habedS corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state sef-government,
and for the nation return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
Of power.
S. The civil service of the government,
has become 9 mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and
reproach upon free institutions, and breeds
decentralization dangerous to the perpetui-
ty of Republican government,
6. We therefore, regard thorough re-
form of the civil service IS 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 ofhces of the government cease to
be matter of arbitrary fAvoritism and pat
ronkgs, and that public station shall become
,Vair place of honor. To this end it il
sn,.ratiIely required that no President
Nj be candidate for re election,
We demand system Of federal tax
= IA shall not unnecessarily interfere
Atloh whi> - of the people, and which
with the lndusC.. ms uaaaRsarv IN ma,
shall provide the N, smant sconnm;
the expenses of the Cove ,bs ;ntera,
cAlly administered, the pensions, go
on the dublic debt, and . moderate g.
reduction of the principal thereof; ana
recognizing that there are, in our midst,
honest but irreconcilable differences of opln-
ion with regard to the respective systems Of
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
cussion of the subject to the people 10 their
congressional di4tricts, and the decision Of
Congress thereon, wholly free from executive
interference or dictation.
8. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and We denounee repudiAtoE
in every form and guise.
3. A speedy return to specie payment
is demanded alike by the highes considera
tons of commercial morality and homes
1 government.
/ 10. We remember with gratitude tn
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers AM
sailors of the Republic, and no act of our
shall ever detrAct from their Justly eRrne
fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
IL. We are opposed to all further grant
Of land to railroads or other corporations
The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of th
government in its intercourse with foreig
nations to cultivate the friendships Of peae
By treating With all on fair and equal term
regarding it alike dishonorabls 10 demau
what is not right or submit to what
wrong.
49, For the promotion and success I
these vital principles, and the support Of ii
candidates nominated BY this convention
we invite and cordially welcome the co-ope
alton of oil patriotic citizens without regsr
to previous political afiliatioD.