Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-20
pailp argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention,
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May 1, 2, and 3.
AND RESOLUTIONS
To the people Of the United States
OPTICAL coPY.l

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 DO sers
not granted BY the constitution it has act
cd ~ ii the laws had binding force ouly for
these who are governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t has thus struck q 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 power and respon-
sibility, to the detriment of the public inter-
ests.
He has used the public service of the gov
eminent as machinery of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfered with
tyranicsl arrogance in the political affairs Of
states and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and lu-
crative oficiss men who had acquired his IA
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the demoratization 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 psrtisans of the administration as
Stunning TO be the Republican party, and con-
trolling lis organisation, have attempted to
Justify such wrongs and pAlliate such abuses,
TO the end Of maintaining partisan ascend
sncy.
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
their own advantage; they have rssorted 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 successful administration of their
local affairs, and would tend to revive a pa.
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the
name of their party, once justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation by 9 base syco-
phsncy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage, unworthy Of republican tree
men they have sought to silence the voice
of Just criticism, and stifie the moral sense
of the people, and to subjugase public
opinion by tyrannioAl party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselves
in authority for selfish ends by an unscrupu
lous use Of power the which nghtfully
belongs to the people, and should be en-
ployed only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus LED
and CONTROLLED can no longer be of service tc
the bests interests of the republic, We have
resolved to make an independent appeal tC
the sober judgment, conscience, and patriot
IAN of the American people.