Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-10
Daily argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention,
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May 1, 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL COPY.
To tile people ofMe United StQtes:-

10 We people OF the ORfeG StGteS;-
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregard of
the laws of the land, and of usufping DO Eers
not granted by the constitution it has act
ed as if the laws had binding force only for
these who are governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t has thus struck blow at
the fundamental principles of constitutional
government and the liberties of the citizen.
The President Of the United States has
openly used the powers and opportunities of
his high Office for the promotion of person
al ends.
lie has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men in places OF power and respon-
sibility, to the detriment of the public inter
eats.
He has used the public service of the gov
ernment as u machinery of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfered with
tyrsnicsl arrogance 10 the political affairs of
states and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and lu-
cra,ive oticies men who had acquired his ia.
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the decentralization of our political life By his
conspicuous example.
He has shown himself deplorably unequal
to the task imposed upon him by the neces-
sites of the country, and cul pAbly careless
of the responsibilities Of his high office.
The pArtissns of the administration as
saming to be the Republican party, and con-
trolling It's organization, have attempted to
Justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
10 the end Of maintaining partisan ascend
aney.
They have stood in the way of necessary
Investigations aud indispensable reforms,
pretending that NO serious fault could be
found with the present administration of
public affairs, thus seeking to blind lhe eyes
otthe people.
They have kept alive the passions and re-
sentiments of the late war, to use them for
theif own advantage they have rssor,ed to
arbitrary measures in direct conflict with
the organic law, instead of appealing to the
better instincts and latent patriotism of the
southern people by restoring to them these
rights, the enjoy ment OF which rs indlspen-
sable TO a successful administration of their
| local affairs, and would tend to revive g pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
! They hive degraded themselves and the
name of their party, once Justly entitled to
! the confidence Of the nation, by a base syco-
| phaucy to the dispenser of executive power
ard patronage, unworthy Of republican tree
men they have sought to silence the voice
of lust CRITICS N, and stifs the moral sense
of the people, and to subiugste public
opinion BY tyrannical party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselves
in authority for selfish ends by an unscrupu
Ious use OF power the which rghtfully
belongs to the people, and should be en-
ployed only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus led
and controlled can no longer be of service tc
the bests interests of the republic, We have
resolved to make an Independent appeal tt
the sober Judgment, conscience, and patriot
ism of the American people.