Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-26
RESOLUTIONS.


We, the Liberal Republicaus of the [ nited
States, in national convention assem- led 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 1t is the duty Of
government, in 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 TO maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
frachisement, and to oppose any re-opering
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
| fourteenth and fifteenth amend ments of the
constitution.
| ,. We de u 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 psci-
fcAtion in all sections of the country.
4. Local self-government, with impartia
suffrage, will guard the hss 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 habeas corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state sslf-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 9 mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and
Ireproach upon free institutions, and breeds
a decentralization dangerous to the perpetui
ty of Republican government.
6. We therefore, regard q thorough re
form of the civil service as one of the mos
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute thu
only valid claims to public employment
that the Offices Of the government cease tt
be matter of arbitrary fRvoritism and pat
ronaee, and that public station shall become
again place of honor. To this end it ii
imperatively required that no Presden
shall be candidate for re election.
I. We demand q system of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior,
with the industry Of the people, and whicl
shall provide the means necessary TO pa
, the expenses of the Government, economi
caHy administered, the pensions, the interes
on the dublic debt, and moderate annus
reduction of the principal thereof; ant
recognizing that there are, in our midst
honest but irreconciable differences of opiI
ion with regard to the respective systems {
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
cussion of the subject to the people in thei
congressional didtricts, and the decision {
I Congress thereon, wholly free from executiv
| interference or dictatioD.
- s. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, and we denonnce repudiatio
ii 10 every form and guise.
9. A speedy return to specie payment
+ is demanded alike by the highest consider
!, tons of commercial morality and hone
government.
80 10. We remember with gratitude Il
- heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers an
-. sailors of the Republic, and no act of oul
n shall ever dstract from their Justly earne
fame or the fall rewards Of their patriotisu
Oe II. We are opposed to all further gran
to of land 10 railroads or other corporation
=. The public donain should be held sacred
~ actual settlers.
p- Il. We hold that it is the duty o. ii
on government in its intercourse with foreig
to nations to cultivate the friendships oil pes'
by treating With all on fair and equal term
regarding it alike dish enorshie to deman
: what is not right or sabmt 20 what
- wrong.
IS. For the proaiot!on aud success
these vital principles, and the support of Il
candid ases posniuated by this conveutio
we invite aud cordially welcome the ee-ope
atioa Of al patriotic citizens withou. regsl
TO previous political utilization.