Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-07-12
Radical Platform.

BY the Republicans of West Virginia, in
Convention assembled, Be 1t Resolued,
1st. That the Union of the States is indis>
soluble and perpetual; that the Constitution
of the United States, and the laws of Con-
gress in pursuance thereof. are supreme, con.
slant and universal in their obligations and
that it is the highest duty of every American
citizen to maintain their paramount authority
against all their enemies
I'd. That it is essential to the preservation
of our republican institutions that we uphold
aud respect the principles promulgated in the
Declaration OF Independence and embodied in
the Federal Constitution, viz: that all men
are created equal that they are endowed
with certain iuaIienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness;
and that to secure these rights governments
are instituted among men. deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed.
Sd. That the XVIII Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, which for
bids the exclusion of any class from an equal
voice in the government by reason of the ac-,
cident of race or color or the misfortune of
previous oppression, accords with these hon
ored princsples of tue Declaration of Inde>
pendeuce, and is alike essential to Justice be-
tween men, to the consistency of the Govern
ment and to the harmonious relations of the
races within its jurisdiction.
4th. That we heartily commend tho spirit
of mngnanlmity and forgiveness with which
men who have served in the rebellion and who
now frankly and honestly cooperate with us
in restoring the peace of the country upon the
basis of impartial justice and equal rights. are
received back into the communion of the loyal
people and we favor the removal of the dis
qualifications and restrictions imposed upon
the late rebels in the same measure as the
spirit of disloyalty will die out, and as may be
consistent with the safety of the loyal people.
9th. That the Republican party of West
Virginia fully endorses the action of its rep
resentatives in the last session of the Lcgisla-
ture in submitting the question of amending
the Constitution to the people of the State,
and at the same time recognizes the right of
each individual TO think, speak and vote
thereon according to his best judgment aud
the dictates of his own conscience.
9th. That so long as the restriction on the
suffrage remains in the Constitution, it is to be
enforced equally with any other part of that
instrument, firmly, fairly, and with strict re-
gard to its terms, without prejudice to the law
full rights of any citizen.
7th. That the conduct of our State affairs,
there should be continuance of the economy
in all departments that has heretofore charac-
terlZeu the administration oil the state but
mere parsimony is not economy, there
should be a vigorous effort and liberal expen-
diture if necessary to attract settlers from
other States aud countries, without whom the
State must long remain to great extent un-
developed.
Sth. That in the rapid decrease of the pub
lie debt together with the constant and uni
form reduction in the rate Of taxation, we re-
'cognize the happy results of policy which
while preserving inviolate the public faith has
had constantly in view, the lessenirg of the
burdens of the people.
9th. That as ii cannot be doubted that there
are many who have not heretofore acted with
the Republican party, who now acquiesce in
the results of its policy. and who recognize
that the public welfare will not be prompted
by further attempts to re>open settled issues
and as there is no reason why such persons
should not be in practical and harmonious CO.
operation with the Republican party, we there
fore invite all such persons as in good faith
abide the decisions of the war, desire to see
the complete extineuishment of political ine-
qualities and the restoration of an era Of char
ity and good feeling. to unite with the Repub-
lican party in carrying these measures into
effect
(SipnedN G. n HIrRRARD