Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-23
Datlp Argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention.
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May 1, 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL COPY.
To the people ofthe United States

To the people Of the United States
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregard of
the laws of the land, and of usurping pc Eers
not granted by the constitution j; 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.
He has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men in places ofpower and respon-
sibility, to the detriment OF the public inter
ests.
| He has used the public service of the gov
eminent as a machinery of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfered with
tyranical arrogance in the political affairs Of
states and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and lu-
crative otici men who had acquired his fa-
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the denomination of cur 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 pRrtissns of the Administration az
suming to be the Republican party, and con-
trolling its organization, have mpted to
Justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
TO the end Of maintaining partisan ascend
ancy.
They have stood in the way of necessary
Investigations and Indispensable reforms
pretending that No serious fault could be
found with the present administration Of
public affairs, thus seeking to blind The eyes
of the people.
They have kept alive the passions and re
sentiments of the late war, TO use them fol
theit own advantage they have rssorted to
arbitrary measures 10 direct conflict with
the organic Law, instead of appealing to th'
better instincts and latent patriotism of Ii,
southern people by restoring to them these
tights, the enjoyment OF which IS indlspen
sable TO a successful ad of Ihei
local affairs, and would tend to revive a pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
They hive degraded themselves and tht
name of thei, party, once justly entitled L
the confidence of the nation,by a base syco
pbsncy to the dispenser of executive powe
and patronage, unworthy OF republican tree
men they have sought to silence the volc
of lust criticism, aud stifs the moral sens
Of the people, and to sutjugate publ
opinion BY Iyrsnnical party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselve
in authority for selfish ends by an unscruPr
lous use Of power the which nghtfulI
belongs to the people, and should be en-
ployed only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus lie
and controlled can no longer be Of service
the bests interests of the republic, We hsv
resolved to make sn independent appeal |
the sober Judgment, conscience, aud patrio
ism of the American people.