Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-11
REVOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the l nited
States, IN national convention assembled 81
CiBcInnAtl, proclaim the following principles
as essential TO Just government:
/. We recognize the equality OF al men
before the Ia y, and hold that II Is the duty OF
government, IN It's dealings with the people,
to mete out equal and exact Justice to ali,
OF whatever nativity, race, color or persus
sion. religious or political.
z. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
| frachisement, and 10 oppose any rs-opening
of the questions settled By the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
| 3. We dem and the immediate and Rbso
| 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 pacl-
6cation in all sections of the country.
| 4. Local seifgovernment, with impartial
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 tor the
individual The largest liberty consistent WITH
public order, for the state self-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 q mere instrument Of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
} iect of selfish greed. 1t is 8 scandal AMI
. reproach upon free Institutions, and breed
/ Generalization dangerous to the perpetu'
Q " of Republican government.
6. We therefore, regard q thorough re
0 form of the civil service as one of the mos
d pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
. esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute tn
s only valid claims to public employment
that the offices of the government cease
5 be matter of arbitrary favoritlsm and pa
n ronags, and that public station shall becom
, again place OF honor. To this end 1t
,e imperatively required that no Presidel
9. shall be candidate for re election.
Z. We demand q system OF federal ia
alton which shall not unnecessarily Interte
with the industry of the people, and whli
g. shall provide the means necessary to p'
the expenses of the Government, econon
cally administered, the pensions, the lntere
on the dublic debt, and moderate annu
!. reduction of the principal thereof; al
recognizing that there are, in our MD
! honest bat irreconoilable differences OF OPT
ION with regard to the respective systems
protection and free trade, we remit the d
cussion of the subject to the people in thu
!. congressional districts, and the decision
Congress thereon, wholly free from executl
interference or dictation.
n s. The public credit must be sacre'
maintained, and we denounce repudiati
nc 10 every form and guise.
8. A speedy return to specie paymel
is demanded alike by the highest conside
tons of commercial morality and hon
! government.
10. We remember with gratitude
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers 8
sailors of the Republic, and no act of o
- shall ever detract from their Justly earl
fame or the full rewards of their PATRIOTS
II H. We are opposed to all further gre
u, of land to railroads or other corporate
The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty Of
government IN its intercourse with fore
nations to cultivate the friendships Of pc
BY treating With all on fair and equal ter
regarding it alike dishonorable to dem
what is not right or submit to wha'
wrong.
I, l3. For the promotion and success
70 these vital principles, and the support of
AuI candidates nominated by this convent
we invite and cordially welcome the coo
with alton of all patriotic citizens without res
to previous political utilization.
IL