Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-09-17
gailu argus.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
Liberal Republican Convention,
HELD AT
c Cincinnati, May 1. 2, and 3.
OFFICIAL COPY.
To the people of the United States.

To the people Of the United States:-
The admi nistration now in power has
rendered Itself guilty of wsnton disregard OF
the laws of the land, and of usurping po Eers
not granted By the constitution il has act
ed as if the laws had binding force only for
these who are governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t 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 notoriouslY corrupt and
unworthy men 10 places OF power and respon-
sibility, TO the detriment OF the public Inter
ests
He has used the public service of the gov
ernment 90 u machinery Of corruption and
personal influence, and has inserfered With
tyranicaL arrogance in the political affairs Of
states and municipalities.
he has rewarded with influential and lu-
crative Othcies men who had acquired his IA
vor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
the demoraIlzstion of our political life by his
conspicuous example.
! He has shown himself deplorably unequal
to the task imposed upon him by the neces-
sities of the country, and c0lpably careless
of the responsibilities of his high office.
! The parIisans of the administration as
Stunning to be the Republican party, aud con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
/ Justify such wrongs and p&lliAte such abuses,
to the end OF maintaining partisan ascend
anoy.
They have stood in the way of necessary
Investigations aud indispe nsible 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 for
their own advantage they have resorIed 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
tights, the enjoyment OF which is indlspen-
sable to q successful administrator Of their
local affairs, and would tend to revive . pa
triotie and hopeful national feeling.
They hive degraded themselves and the
name of tbei, party, once justly entitled to
the confidence OF the nation, by q base syco-
phAncy TO she dispenser OF executive power
and patronage, unworthy OF republican tree
men they have sought to silence the voice
of Just criticism, and stltie the moral sense
OF the people, and to subjugste public
opinion by tyrannIcAl party discipline.
They are striving so maintain themselves
In ausnorIIy Tor selfish ends by an unscrupu
ious use of power the which rghtfully
belongs to the people, and should be en-
ployed only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus LED
and controlled can no longer be Of service tc
the bests interests of the republic, We have
resolved TO make al pendent appeal iC
the sober judgment, conscience, and patriot
IAN of the American people.