Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-04
REsoLCTIONs.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the United
States, II national convention assembled 81
Cincinnati, proclaim the folloWiI principle
as essential to just government:
l. We recognize the equality of al men
before the law, and hold that il 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-
frschise ment, and 10 oppose any re-opsning
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amend menis of the
constitution.
3. We dem 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-
6cation in all sections of the country.
4. Local self-gOvernment, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the hts 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 habedS corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state selt-government,
and for the nation return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
5. The civil service Of the government
has become q mere instrument Of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject OF selfish greed. 1t is a scandal and
reproAch upon free institutions, and breeds
q decentralization dangerous to the perpetur
ty of Rupub licsn government.
| 6. We therefore, regard thorough re
| form of the civil service az one of the mos
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute the
only valid claims to public employ ment
that the Offices Of the government cease tt
be matter of arbitrary favoritlsm and pat
ronage, and that public station shall become
again place OF honor. To this end 1t ii
impeIatively required that no Presiden
shall bs candidate for re election.
Z. We demand a system Of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interfere
with the industry of the people, and which
shall provide the means necessary to pa,
the ex penses Of the Government, economi
cAlly administered, the pensions, the interes
on the dublic debt, and moderate ANNA
reduotio of the principal thereof; anC
recognizing that there are, in our midst
honest but irreconcilable differences of opiu
ion with regard to the respective systems G
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
cussion of the subject to the people in thei
congressional districts, and the decision @
/ Congress thereon, wholly free from executiv
interference or dictation.
8. The public credit must be sacredl
maintained, and we denouncs repudiatio
in every form and guise.
3. A speedy return to specie payment
is demanded alike by the highest considers
J, lions of commercial morality and honei
government.
= 10. We remember with gratitude th
heroism end sacrifices of the soldiers an
sailors of the Republic, and no act of oul
shall ever dstracs from their justly esrne
=, fame or the full rewards Of their patriotism
IL. We are opposed to all further gran
- Of land 10 railroads or other corporation
Ia The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
p u. We hold that it is the duty of Il
" government IN its intercourse with foreie
@ nations to cultivate the friendships Of pea
by treating With all on fair aud equal term
regarding it alike dishonorable to demar
What is not right or submit TO what
wrong.
10 For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and the support of Il
candidates nominated by this conventio
We invite and cordially welcome the co-opt
alton Of all patriotic citizens without rega
to previous political utilization.