Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-13
pailp Argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention,
HELD AT
Cincinnati, May 1, 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL COPY.
To tie people ofMe 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 DO 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 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 of power and respon-
sibility, to the detriment of the public inter
ests.
He he's used the public service of the gov
erument as = 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-
oratiVe oticies men who had acquired his IA
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the Generalization 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
snmiDg to be the Republican party, and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
Justify such wrongs and pslliste such abuses,
to the end OF maintaining partisan ascend
aucy.
They have stood in the way of necessary
Investigations and Indispensable reforms
pretending that NO serious fault could be
| found with the present standardization 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
thsil 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 q successful administration Of their
Local affairs, and would tend TO revive a pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
They hsve degraded themselves aud the
name of their party, once Justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by 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 stifle the moral sense
of the people, and to sutjugste public
opinion BY tyrsnnicAl party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselves
10 authority for selfish ends by an unscrupu
lous use of power the which rIghtfully
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 K
the sober judgment, conscience, and patriot
ism of the American people.