Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-08-13
RESOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the United |
States, IN national convention assembled at
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 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-
| frRchisement, and 20 oppose any re-opening
of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
/ fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
;. We dem and the immediate and ahso-
lutte removal of all disabilities i'm posed on
account Of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in complete pact
foation in all sections of the country.
! 4. Local self government, with impartis
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 habeGS corpus. We demand for the
Individual The largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state self-goverument,
and for the nation a return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations
of power.
5. The civil service Of the government
has become a mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject OF selfish greed. IL is 8 scandal and
reprosch upon free institutions, and breeds
a Decentralization dangerous to the perpetul-
ty of Republican government.
6. We therefore, regard thorough re-
form of the civil service as one of the most
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, capacity, and fidelity constitute the
, only valid claims to public employment /;
that the Offices of the government cease to
be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and pat
rOnsge, and that public station shall become
. again place OF honor. To this end it is
imperatively required that no President
shall be candidate for re election.
I. We demand g system Of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interfere
with the industry of the people, and which
shall provide the means necessary to pay
, the expenses of the Government, economi-
cally administered, the pensions, the interest
on the dublic debt, and q moderate annual
reduction of the principal thereof; and
recognizing that there are, in our midst
honest but irreconoilable differences Of opin
] ion with regard to the respective systems o
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
I cussiou of the subject to the people in theil
! congressional Districts, and the decision o
Congress thereon, wholly free rom executive
!, interference or dictAtion.
;" s. The public credit must be sacredl,
maintained, and we denounce Reputation
- in every form and guise.
:. 9. A speedy return to specie payments
is demanded alike by the highest considers
% tons of commercial morality and homes
government.
:. 10. We remember with gratitude tn
n heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers an,
sailors of the Republic, and no act of our
oe shall ever detrsct from Their Justly Garnet
to fame or the full rewards of their patriotism
-, IL. We are opposed to all further grant
of land to railroads or other corporations
ip- The public domain should be held sacred t
on actual settlers.
to to IL. We hold that it is the duty of tn
governmental its intercourse with foreig
nations to cultivate the friendships of peac
BY treating With all on fair and equal termi
= regarding it alike disbonorabe to deman
what is not right or submit 10 what
. wrong.
l3 For the promotion and success
these vital principles, and the support of th
candidates nominated by this convention
we invite and cordially welcome the co-ope
: alton of sill patriotic citizens without regar
TO ~revious political utilization.