Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-13
Platform of the Union Republican Party Of
Virginia.

Platform Of the Union Republican Party of
Virginia
Our readers are aware that the Radical Con-
vention which assembled in Richmond on the
LIST inst, re-adopted, verbatims ct hteratns-
without any change even to the dotting of an
''I'' or the crossing of "a 'T,p-the platform
adopted by the Hunnicutt Convention which
met in Richmond on the 18th of April last
That our readers may know the character OF
the platform upon which the Radicals of this
State stand, and all who may cooperate with
them after this time as. members of that party,
we publish below the platform which was adopt
ed in April last, and re-adopted in the recent
aWhereas, having for the first time in the
history of Virginia assembled at her State capt.
tai at the call Of Union Republican State
the purpose of ratifying the acts of the Thirty
ninth and Fortieth Congress, and adopting
measures to unite all parties who earnestly and
honestly desire that this legislation should be
perfected in accordance with the expressed de-
sire of Congress- and carried out In good faith
by the people of this State, we, therefore, in
Convention assembled, do
II. Resolued That we return our sincere and
hearty thanks to the Thirty. ninth Congress for
their recent legislation, resulting in the passage
of the Sherman Shelabarger bill and its supple
ment, and certify with gratitude that the bene-
fetal effects of such legislation are already visi
BILE in the increased security of loyal men, and
in inducing immediate efforts towards recon-
struction on the part of all classes and that we
do hereby pledge our earnest and persistent eff
forts to carry it out in good faith, without eva
sion, with honesty of purpose, unflnching cour-
age and never firing energy, in all its provisions
believing that by this course alone, can perma-
nent peace and prosperity be restored to the
State, and an early admission to the Union Sc
cured.
60 Resolved, That in the principles of the
National Republican party of the United States
we recognize all we can desire as guide in our
political future; that we adopt them as our plat
form, and pledge ourselves to their support, and
cordially invite the cooperation of all classes of
our fellow citizens, without distinction Of race
or color. Without regard to former political
opinions, or action induced by such convictions,
we invite them to join us, and pledge them a
warm welcome to our ranks and a full and free
participation in all the advantages of our organ
ization; and firmly believing that in the present
condition Of public affairs the Republican party
offers the most available means through its or
ganization for the speedy attainment of perma-
nent reconstruction, we do hereby adopt its
principles and platform as the basis and plat
form of the Union Republican party of Virginia
SO. Resolued, That we adopt as part OF our
platform and as cardinal points in the policy OF
the Union Republican party of Virginia the fol-
lowing propositions:
Il. Equal protection to all men before the
courts and equal political rights in all respects,
including the right to hold office.
$50 A cvctor, Of oommon school education
which shall give to all classes free schools, and
free and equal participation in all its benefits.
80 A more just and equitable system oftax-
alton, which shall apportlon taxes to property,
and require all to pay In proportion to their
ability
: 81. A modification of the usury laws sufi-
Gent to induce foreign capital to seek invest
ment in the State.
IS. Encouragement to internal improvements
and every possible inducement to immigration.
II. Resolved That in the noble utterances
of the founders of the Constitution, We recog-
nize true appreciation of the great fact that
parties or governments to be prosperous and
successful, must be founded and administered
on the basis of exact and equal justice to all
men, and that we accept as our guides the great
principles enunciated by them, first and most
important of which is the great and glorious
truth that oil men are created free and equal,
are endowed with certain inalienable rights, and
that among these are life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness, and we solemnly pledge, on
the part of this Convention and the party it rep
resents, strict adhesion to these sentiments,
which for the first time in the history of Vr-
ginia political organization is in a position to
adopt in spirit and action as in name.
80. RESOLVED, That believing the principles
enunciated in the foregoing resolutions can be
Objectionable to no man who really loves the
Union, and that they are the only true princi-
Piles which can give to Virginia an early resto-
ration to the Union, and enduring peace and
prosperity, we solemnly pledge ourselves to sup.
port no man for an elective office who fails to
join in their adoption and enforcement, who
fails to identify himself with the Union Repub
lican party in spirit and action, or hesitates to
connect himself openly and publicly with its
platform, as adopted here to-day
e. ResotUed That we recognize the great
fact that the interests of the laboring classes of
the State are IDENTICAL and that, without re-
gard to color, we desire to elevate them to their
true position. That the exaltation of the poor
and humble, the restraint of the rapacious and
arrogant, the lifting up of the poor and degra-
ded, without humiliation or degradation to any
that the attainment of the greatest amount OF
happiness and prosperity to the greatest num-
Der is our warmest desire, and shall have our
plishment. That while we desire to see all men
protected in full and equal proportion, and ev-
cry political right secured to the colored man
that is enjoyed by any other class of citizens,
we do not desire to deprive the laboring white
man of any rights or privileges which they now
enjoy, but do propose to extend those rights
and privileges by the organization of the Re
publican party in this State. =
Public Meeting in Nelson County.
At meeting of a portion of the people of
Nelson county, held at Lovingston, on Monday,
the 22d of July, 1867, that being Court day.
On motion of Capt VIM. G. Darlington, Capt
John III McGue was elected President and