Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-27
REVOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal heppDlcans OF Inc I nlLeo
States, in national convention assembled at
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential to Just government:
l. We recognizes the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty of
in It's 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-
frRchse ment, and TO oppose any re-opening
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
}. We dem and 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
versa amnesty will result In complete pAci
6caton in ell sections of the country.
4. Local self government, with impNrtiA
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than suy 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 3 return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
3. The civil service of the government
has become q mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ect of selfish greed. 1t is g scandal and
reproach upon free institutions, and breeds
a Generalization dangerous to the perpetui
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
es,y, capacity, and fidelity constitute tbs
only valid claims to public employment
that the Offices of the government cease IL
be matter of arbitrary favoritIsm and pat
ronaGe, and that public station shall become
again q place OF honor. To this end it il
imperatively required that no Presden
shall be candidate for re election.
| I. We demand system of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interior
with the industry of the people, and whiol
shall provide the means necessary to pa
the expenses of the Government, economi
cally administered, the pensions, the interes
on the dnbhc debt, and q moderate annus
reduction of the principal thereof; ant
recognizing that there are, in our mids
honest but irreconcilable differences of opir
ion with regard to the respective systems {
protection and free trade, we remit the din
cussion of the subject to the people in the
congressional Districts, and the decision {
Congress thereon, wholly free from executiv
interference or dictation.
s. The public credit must be sacredl
maintained, and we denouuce repudiatio
10 every form and guise.
9. speedy return to specie paymen
is demanded alike by the highest considers
tons of commercial morality and hone
> government.
10. We remember with gratitude ii
heroism and sacrifices Of the soldiers an
sailors of the Repubhc, and no act of ou
shall ever detract from their Justly e&rne
fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
Q IL. We are opposed to all further gran
o Of land to railroads or other corporation
The public domain should be held sacred
actual settlers.
= II. We hold that it is the duty of Il
n government in its intercourse with foreig
J nations to cultivate the friendships OF peal
by treating With all on fair and equal term
regarding it alike dishonnrGbe to demaD
shat is not right or submit to what
: wrong.
IL For the promotion and success
these vita principles, and the support of Il
candidates nominated by this couven,io
we invite and eordisliy welcome the co-ope
alton of all patriotic citizens without regai
to previous political utilization.