Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-19
RESOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the Z nited
States, in national convention assembled at
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, 10 its 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, enamel patton and en-
frachisement, and to oppose any rs-opsning
of the questions settled BY the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
3. We dem and the immediate and sbso
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-
fcation in ell sections of the country.
4. Local self-government, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights 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 hdbeaS corpus. We demand for the
individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state self-goVernment
and for the nation q 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
iect of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal snC
reproaeh upon free institutions, and breed
generalization dangerous to the perpetuI
ty of Republican government
/ 6. We therefore, regard q thorough re
form of the civil service as one of the mos
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute tn
only valid claims to public employment
that the Offices of the government cease t
be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and pat
ronage, and that public station shall beoom
again place OF honor. To this end it j
imperstively required that no Presiden
shall be candidate for reelection.
| Z. We demand q system OF federal Ia
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whic
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses of the Government, economi
oAlly administered, the pensions, the interei
on the dublic debt, and 8 moderate snnus
reduction of the principal thereof; an
recognizing that there are, in our mids
honest but irreconollable differences OF oplI
ion with regard to the respective systems I
lprotection and free trade, we remit the diI
cussion of the subject to the people in the
congressional diStricts, and the decision (
Congress thereon, wholly free from sxecutiv
interference or dlctation.
8. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, and we denounce repudiatio
10 every form and guise.
9. A speedy return to specie paymen
is demanded alike by the highest consider
tions of commercial morality and hone
{! government.
10. We remember with gratitude IL
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers al
! sailors of the Republic, and no act of on
shall ever detrsct from their jastly earns
fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
II. We are opposed to all further gran
> of land to railroads or other corporation
The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
Il. We hold that it is the duty of Il
government in its intercourse with foreiC
I nations to cultivate the friendships of pea
! By treating With all on fair and equal term
regarding it alike dishonorable to demaI
what is not right or submit to what
wrong.
nj ID. For the promotion and success
j these vital principles, and the support of d
u candidates nominated by this oonventio
i, we invite and cordially welcome the co-opt
ia alton of all patriotic citizens without rega
to previous political sfiliation.