Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-21
Dailp ARGUS.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention.
HELD AT
C Cincinnati, May L, 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL COPY
To The people ofAs 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 Sers
not granted by the constitution it has act
cd ~ il the laws had binding force only for
these who are governed, and not for those
who govern. II has thus struck 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
oil 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 has used the public service OF the gov
eminent as = machinery of corruption and
personal influence, and has interfered with
tyranicsl arrogance in the political affairs Of
states and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and lu-
crative oficies men who had acquired his ia
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the demoratizstion 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 pertisans of the administration as
Stunning to be the Republican party, and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
Justify such wrongs and palliste such abuses,
to the end Of maintaining partisan asoead-
snoy.
They have stood in the way of necessary
Investigations aud indispensable reforms
pretending that NO serious fault could be
found with the present administration 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 fol-
their own advantage they have rssorted 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 a successful administration of theil
| local affairs, and would tend to revive q pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the
name of their party, once Justly entitled t.
the confidence of the nation by base syco
phancy to the dispenser of executive pOwel
and patronage, unworthy Of republican free
men they have sought TO silence the yoiot
of Just criticism, and stifie the moral sense
of the people, and to subjugsse public
opinion by tyrsnnical party discipline.
They are striving to. maintain themselves
in authority for selfish ends by sn unscrupu
lous use Of power the which rightfull,
belongs to the people, and should be EN-
ploysd only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus let
and controlled can no longer be of service u
the bssss interests of the republic, We hav
resolved to make 81 independent appeal t
the sober judgment, conscience, aud patriot
ism of the American people.