Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-10
RESOLUTIONS.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the | nited
States, IN national convention assent led ct
CinoInnAti, proclaim the following principles
as essential TO Just government:
/. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that il is the duty of
government, 10 It's dealings with the people,
90 mste 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 ofthsse states, emancipation and en-
fraohisement, and TO oppose any re-opening
of the questions settled by the thirteenth
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
3. We dem and the immediate and abso
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on
account of the rebellion, which was finally
verssl amnesty will result in complete paci-
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 hdbeGS corpus. We demand for the
individual ihe largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the state self-governunent,
and for the nation return to the methods
| of peace and the constitutional limitations
| of power.
5. The civil service of the government
has become q mere instrument of partisan
| tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
lect of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and
rsproach upon free institutions, and breeds
decentralization dangerous to the perpetui-
~ of Republican government.
| 6. We therefore, reg ard g thorough re-
form of the civil service as one of the most
pressing necessities of the hour; that hon
esty, cApReity, and fidelity constitute the
only vahd claims to public employment
that the Offices of the government cease tc
oe a matter of arbitrary fAvoritism and pat
ronaRe, and that public station shall become
again place of honor. To THE end it il
lmperatively required that no President
shall be candidate for re election.
| Z. We demand system of federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interiors
with the industry of the people, and which
shall provide the means necessary to pa,
the expenses of the Government economi
cally administered, the pensions, the interes
1
reduction of the principal thereof; snt
recognizing that there are, in our midst
honest but irreconcilable differences Of opin
ion with regard to the respective systems o
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
cussiOn of the subject TO the people in thei
congressional Districts, and the decision o
Congress thereon, wholly free from executiv
interference or dictation.
8. The public credit must be sacred
maintained, and We denounes repudiAtiol
iu every form and guise.
| 3. A speedy return to specie payment
is demanded alike by the highest considers
lions Of commercial morality and homes
government.
10. We remember with gratitude tn
heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers an
sailors of the Republic, and no act of our
shall ever detract from their Justly earne
fame or the full rewards Of their patriotism
III. We are opposed 30 all farther grant
, of land to railroads or other corporations
The public domain should be held sacred I
actual settlers.
Il. We hold that it is the duty of th
government in it's intereourse with foreig
ma ions TO cultivate the friendships of peac
By treating with all on fair and equal term
garding it alike dishonaEable to deman
what is not right or submit to what
wrong.
I 49, For the promotion and success !
| these vital principles, and the support Of Il
> candidates nominated by this convention
VS. invite and cordially welcome thsco-ope
Il alton of all patriotic citizens without regei
to previous political utilization.