Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-20
RESOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the United
States, in national convention assembled ct
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential TO Just government;
l. We recognize the equality Of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty Of
government, in It's dealings with the people,
to mete out equal and exact Justice to sli,
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-
frachisement, and TO oppose any re-opening
of the questions settled BY the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amend meuts of the
constitution.
;. We dem and the immediate and ALSO.
lutte removal of all disabilities posed on
account Of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will resut in complete paci-
ication in ell sections of the country.
L. Local self-government, with impsrtis
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
public order FOR the state self-government
and for the nation a return to the methods
of peace and the constitutions Limitations
of power.
| g. The civil service of the government
has become 8 mere instrument of partisan
| tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject of selfish greed. 1t is a scandal AND
reproach upon free Institutions, and breeds
q decentralization 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
estv, capacity, and fidelity constitute tn
only valid claims to public employment
that the Offices of the government cease II
be matter of arbitrary favoritism aud pat
rouage, and that public station shall beoom
again place OF honor. To this end 1t i
impeTatively required that no Presiden
shall be candidate for reelection.
| I. We demand system OF federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interfer
with the industry of the people, and whie
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses OF the Government, economi
cAlly administered, the pensions, the interes
on the dnblic debt, and moderate annus
reduction of the principal thereof; an
recognizing that there are, in our mids
honest but IRE oilable differences of opiI
ion with regard to the respective systems {
protection and free trade, we remit the di
cussion of the subject to the people in the
congressional ciStricts, and the decision {
, Congress thereon, wholly free from executiv
interference or dictation.
4 The mn hlio nrad,f rOust ha wapra1
maintained, and We denounce repudiatio
h in every form and guise.
8. A speedy return to specie paymen
= is demanded alike by the highest consider
tons of commercial morality and hone
, government.
10. We remember with gratitude II
IS heroism and sacrifices Of the soldiers al
sailors of the Republic, and no act of gu
$ shall ever detract from their Justly earns
fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
DO IL. We are opposed TO all further gran
to Of land TO railroads or other corporation
The public domain should be held sacred
tt actual settlers.
u. We hold that it is the duty of t
n government in its intercourse with foreil
~ nations to cultivate the friendships Of pea
" by treating with all on fair and equal tern
regarding it alike dishonorsbe to demaI
what is not right or submit to what
- wrong.
Is For the promotion aud success
these vital principles, and the support OF
candidates nominated by this conventic
we invite and cordially welcome the coop
alton of all patriotic citizens without reg"
to previous political utilization.