The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-11
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES

Of the CnlOn Republican Pnrty Of the state
Of Vuyinin, as adopted By the Union Con
rention, held in Richmond, on the 18th Of
april. 1867.
WHEREAS, Having tor the first time in
the history of Virginia assembled at her
State Capitol at the call of a Union Repub-
lican State Committee as a convention of
Union men, for the purpose of ratifying the
acts of the Thirty ninth and Fortieth Con-
gress, and adopting measures to unite all
parties who earnestly and honestly desire
that this legislation should be perfected in
accordance with the expressed desire of Con-
gress. and carried out in good faith 10y the
people OF this State; we, therefore, in con-
vention assembled, do
l. ResO{ue, That we return our sincere and
hearty thanks to the Thirty-ninth Congress
for their recent legislation resulting i'll the
passage of the Sherman Shellabarger Bill
and its Supplement, and certify with graft
tude that the beneficial effects of such legs-
lation are already visible in the increased Sc
curity of loyal men, and in inducing imme-
diate efforts towards reconstruction on tine
part OF all classes, and that we do hereby
pledge our earnest and persistent effort to
carry out, in good faith, without evasion,
with honesty of purpose, unhinching cour-
age, and never tiring energy, all its provis-
ions believing that by this course alone
can permanent peace and prosperity be re-
stored to the State. and an early admission
to the Union secured.
3 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
platform. and pledge ourselves to their sup
port and cordially invite the co operation
of all classes of our fellow citizens, without
distinction of race or color Without regard
to former political opinions, or action in
duccd by such convictions, we invite them
to join US, and pledge them a warm well
come to our ranks. and full and free par
ticipation in all the advantages of our Or
ganization; and firmly believing that in the
present condition of public affairs the Re
publican party offers the most available
means through its organization for the
speedy attainment OF permanent re-eonstruc-
ton, we do hereby adopt Its principles and
platform as the basis and platform of the
Union Republican party of Virginia.
3. 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:
1. Equal protection to all men before the
courts, and equal political rights in all re-
spects, including the right to hold Office.
2 A system of common school education
which shall give to all classes free schools,
and free and equal participation in all its
benefits.
3. A more just and equitable system of
taxation, which shall apportion taxes on
property, and require all to pay in proper
ton to their ability.
a. A modification of the usury laws suffi-
- ind f. al
vestment in the State.
5. Encouragement to internal improve
mcnt, ond every possible inducement to i'm
migration.
f. Resolced, That in the noble utterances
of the founders of our Constitution, we re-
ceganize a true appreciation of the great
fact that parties or governments to be pros
porous and successful. must be founded and
administered on the basis of exact and equal
Justice to all men, and that we accept our
guides the great principles enunciated by
them, first and most important of which IS
the great and glorious truth that all men
are created free and equal, are endowed with
certain inalienable rights, and that among
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap
piness and we soemnly pledge on the part
of this Convention and the party it repre-
sents, a strict adhesion to these sentiments,
Virginia a political organization is in
position to adopt,ln spirit and action as IN
name.
5. That. believing the principles ennucia-
ted in the foregoing resolutions can be OBJ
jectionable to no man who really loves the
Union, and that they are the only true prin-
ciples which can give to Virginia an early
restoration to the Union, and enduring peace
and prosperity, we solemnly pledge ourselves
to support no man for an elective office who
fails to join in their adoption and enforce
ment, who fails to identify himself with the
Union Republican party in spirit and action,
or hesitates to connect himself openly and
publicly with its platform, as adopted here
to- dav.
6. That we recognize the great fact that
the interests Of the laboring classes of the
State are identical, and that, without regard
to color, we desire to elevate them to their
true position. That the exaltation of the
poor and humble, the restraint of the rapac-
ious and the arrogant, lifting up of the poor
and degraded, without humiliation or deg
radiation to any-that the attainment of the
good of the greatest number is our warmest
desire, andshall have our earnest and persistent
efforts in theiraccomplishment That while we
desire to see all protected in full and equal
and every 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 men of any rights
or privileges they now enjoy, but do pro-
pose to extend those rights and privileges
by the organization of the Republican party
in this State.
Large numbers of refugees are arriving in
New York city from Ireland. They give
very discouraging accounts of the state of