Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-23
REVOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the [ uited
States, IN national convention assent led al
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential TO Just government:
/. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that 1t is the duty OF
government, in its dealings with the people,
70 mete out equal and exact Justice to ali,
of whatever nativity, race, color or persuA
sion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
frachise ment, and to oppose any rs-opening
of the questions settled BY the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth anne nd ments of the
constitution.
3. We dem and the immediate and ALSO
late removal of all disabilities imposed on
account Of the rebellion, which was finally
su6dusd seven years ago, believing that uni
versaI amnesty will result in complete pscl-
6cation in all sections of the country.
4. Local sell, government, with impsrtis |
suffrage, will guard the rig 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 ha6eds corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state self-governmsnt,
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 parusRr
| tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
| ect of selfish greed. Ii is q scandal snc
reprosch upon free Institutions, and breed
Decentralization dangerous to the perPetui
ty of Republican government.
| 6. We therefore, regard thorough re
form Of the civil service as one of the mos
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute th
only valld claims 10 public employment
that the Offices Of the government cease t
be q matter Of arbitrary fsvoritism and pat
ronags, and that public station shall beeom
again a place of honor. To this end it i
ImperAtively required that DO Preslden
shall be candidate for re election.
I. We demand & system Of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whie
shall provide the means necessary 10 pa
the expenses of the Government, econom
cAlly administered, the pensions, the interei
on the dublic debt, and moderate aunu'
reduction Of the principal thereof; an
recognizing that there are, in our Inlds
honest bat irreconoilsble differences Of opil
ION with regard to the respective systems
protection and free trade, We remit the di
cussion Of the subject to the people in the
congressional districts, and the decision
4 Congress thereon, wholly free from executi,
| interference or diotation.
. 8. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, and we denounce repudiatiC
Il 10 every form aud guise.
9. A speedy return to specie psymen
is demanded alike by the highest consider
!. lions of commercial morality and hone
government.
40 10. We remember with gratitude t
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers q
-. sailors of the Republic, and no act of on
4 shall ever detract from their Justly earn
fame or the full rewards Of their PATRIOTS
oe IL. We are opposed to all further graz
to Of land TO railroads or other corporation
The public domaiu should be held sacred
W. actual settlers.
ID H. We hold that it is the duty of I
on government IN it's intercourse with forei
~ nations to Gu !tivate the friendships Of pes
by treating With all on fair and equal terri
regarding it alike dishonorable TO demA
what is not right or submit to what
= wrong.
/, l3. For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and the support of
candidates nominated by this convent
We invite and cordially welcome tbs coop
alton of all patriotic citizens without reg
to previous political utilization.