Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-03
RESOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the nited
States, IN national convention assembled at
CiucInnan, proclaim the followu G principles
as essential 10 Just government:
l. We recognize the equality OF all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty OF
government, in 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, emancipation and en-
fraehisement, and TO oppose any re-opening
of the questions settled BY the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amend ments of the
constitution.
3. We dem aud the immediate and abso
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 Pscl-
6cation in all 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 habeds corpus. We demand for the
| individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state self-government
| and for the nation return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
s. The civil service of the government
has become mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal smbision, and an Oh
lect of selfish greed. Il is scandal AM
reproach upon tree institutions, and breed
a Generalization dangerous to the perPetu'
ty of Republican government.
6. We therefore, regard 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
be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and pa
ronaee, and that public station shall becom
again a place OF honor. To this end it
impeIstively required that no Presider
shall bs candidate for re election.
7. We demand system of federal ta'
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whlc
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses of the Government, econom
cally administered, the pensions, the lntere
on the dublic debt, and a moderate annn
reduction of the principal thereof; al
recognizing that there are, IN our mid
1 honest but irrecouoilable differences Of OPT
/! ion with regard to the respective systems
protection and free trade, We remit the d
cussion of the subject to the people in tht
congressional districts, and the decision
I Congress thereon, wholly free from execusi
y interference or dictation.
~ 8. TIE publo credit must be sacred
=, maintained, and We denounce rePudiatl
VI 10 every form and gulse.
9. A speedy return to spscie paymsr
y is demanded alike by the highea; consider
;. tons of commercial morality and hon'
government. E,
heroism and sacrifices OF the soldiers
.ailors of the Republic, and no act OF OIL
m ,ball ever detrnct from their Justly earn
fame or the full rewards of their PATRIOTS
,Oo IL. We are opposed to all further gra
to of land to railroads or other corporate
att The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
ip- Il. We hold that it is the duty OF
ION government In its intercourse with fore
to nations 10 Gu tivate the friendships OF pc
BY treating With all on fair and equal ter
regarding it alike disbonorsbe TO dem'
' shat is not right or sabmi' TO what
. wrong.
- l3 For the promotion and success
y these vital principles, aud the support OF
candidates nominated by this convent
,. we invite and cordially welcome tbee'-ol
I. alton Of all patriotic citizens withoutreg
an TO previous political stfiission.