Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-10
gatlp Argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention.
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May 1, 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL coPY.l
To the people Of the United States

To the people of the United States "a
The administrator now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregard OF
the laws of the land, and of usuEping DO sers
not granted by the consultation !; it has act
cd 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
oil ends.
He has kept notoriouslY corrupt and
unworthy men in places fpower and respon-
sibility, to the detriment of the public inter
ests.
He has used the public service of the gov
eminent as u machinery of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfered with
tyrsnical arrogance in the political affairs of
states and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and lu-
crstive otioies men who had acquired his IA
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the demonstration of our 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 culpably careless
of the responsibilities of his high office.
The partissns of the administration as-
Stunning to be the Republican party, and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted 10
Justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
10 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 for
sheir own advantage; they have resorted to
arbitrary measures in direct conflict with
the organic law, instead of appealing to the
better instincts and latent patriotism of the
southern people by restoring to them these
rights, the enjoyment OF which is indIspen-
sable to a successful administration of their
local affairs, and would tend to revive pa
sriotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the
name of their party, once Justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by q base syco-
phaucy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage, unworthy of republican tree
men they have sought to silence the voice
of Just CRITICS N, and stfle the moral sense
of the people, and to subjugate public
opinion by tyrAnnical party discipline.
| They are striving TO maintain themselves
in authority for selfish ends by an unscrupu
lous use of power the which nghtfuIly
belongs to the people, and should be en-
ploysd only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus led
and controlled can no longer be of service &c
the bssss interests of the republic, we have
resolved to make an independent appeal st
the sober judgment, conscience, aud patriot
ism of the American people.