Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-03
pailp argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention.
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May 1. 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL COPY.
To the people of the United States

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 pc Eers
not granted by the constitution it has act
ed 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 priu ciples 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 of power and respon-
sibility, to the detriment of the public inter
ests.
He has used the public service of the gov
ernment as a machinery of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfered with
tyranical arrogance in the political affairs of
states and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and lu-
crative offices men who had acquired his fa-
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the demorstizstion of our political life by his
conspicuous example.
| He has shown himself deplorably unequal
to the task imposed upon him by the recss-
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 to
Justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
/ 20 the end of maintaining partisan ascend.
ancy.
| L.. IN he oF
| 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
Iheif 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 enjoy ment OF which is indIsPen
sable TO q successful ad d inistration OF then
local affairs, and would tend to revive q pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
They hive degraded themselves and the
name of their party, once justly entitled tt
the confidence of the nation,by base syco'
phancy to the dispenser of executive poweI
and patronage, unworthy OF republican tree
men they have sought to silence the voice
of lust CRITICS % and stfe tbs moral senst
of the people, and TO subjug public
opinion by tyrsunicAl party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselve
in authority for selfish ends By an unscrupu
lous use of power the which rghtfull,
belongs to the people, and should be EN-
ployed only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus LEI
and controlled can no longer be of service t
the bes!s interests of the republic, We hav
resolved to make al independent appeal I
the sober Judgment, conscience, and pEtrioi
IAN of the American people.