Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-19
patlp Argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention,
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May /, 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL COPY. |
,eopie of the United States

To The people Of the United States
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty Of vanton disregard of
the laws of the land, and of usurping DO Rers
not granted by the constitution it has act
ed a. il the laws had binding force ouly 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-
sibihty, to the detriment of the public inter
ests.
He has used the public service of the gov,
eminent IS a machinery of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfersd with
tyranicsl arrogance in the political affairs Of
states and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and lu-
cratiye ofieiss men who had acq uired his ia
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the decentralization of our political life BY his
CONSPICUOUS example.
He has shown himself deplorsbly unequal
to the task imposed upon him by the neces.
sites of the country, and culpably careless
of the responsibilities of his high Office.
The partissns of the administration as
suming to be the Republican party, and con
trolling its organization, have attempted &c
| Justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses
to the end of maintaining partisan ascend
anoy.
They have stood in the way of necessary
Investigations and indispensable reforms
pretending that NO serious fault could be
found with the present administration o
public affairs, thus seeking TO blind the eyel
Of the people.
They have kept alive the passions and re
sentiments Of the late war, to use them fol
their own advantage they have resorted tC
arbitrary measures in direct conflict will
the organic law, instead of appealing to TIL
better instincts and latent patriotism of tn,
southern people by restoring to them thesr
rights, the enjoyment OF which is indispen
sable to q successful administration Of thei
local affairs, and would tend to revive 8 pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
They hive degraded themselves and tht
name of their party, once justly entitled Il
the confidence of the nation, by base syeo
phancy to the dispenser Of executive powe
and patronage, unworthy OF republican tree
men they have sought to silence the volo
of Just criticism, and stihe the moral sens
of the people, and to subjugate publ
opinion BY tvrannioal party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselve
in authority for selfish ends BY an unscrupu
lous use Of power the which rlghtfull
belongs to the people, and should be en
ployed only in the service Of the country.
Believing that an organization thus le
and controlled can no longer be of service
the bests interests of the republic, We hav
resolved to make an independent appeal t
the sober judgment, conscience, and patriot
ism of the American people.