The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-02-09
Virginia Legislature = Governors
aeSSage.

/ MNooG5E@
RICHMOND, Feb. 8.-The Legisla.
ture met at noon to-day. The House
by vote of 109 to 10, adopted a reso.
luton asking Congress to remove al
political disa bilities of the people oil
Virginia. The colored members
voted for the resolution, the negatives
being the white mem mbers Of the part
ed extreme faction.
The Governors message was read.
He coDgratuIates the Legislature that
they are the lawful constituted Gen
eral Assembly of the sovereign State
of Virginia. A State that, notWith-
standing her fundamental conditions,
as futile as unnecessary, is co equal
In all her rights and prerogatives
with any and every State IN the Amer
ican Union.
You and 1 have qualified by taking
the same oath of office, and we have
solemnly pledged ourselves before
heaven to support and maintain the
Constitution and laws Of the United
States, as we'll as of the State of Vir-
ginia; that We recognize and accept
the civil and political equality of all
men before the law, and that we will
faithfully perform our official duties
TO the best of our ability. A strict
and conscientious observance of this
solemn obligation will rebound to the
peace and prosperity of the State, and
be q vindication of the just expecta-
tions of the people and of our
friends everywhere. 1t is your duty
to make the laws, mine to execute
them. Fulfill your duty and l pledge
you a faithful and fearless execution
eff mine.
OF the State Constitution he says !:
It's provisions shall have fair and
impartial trial, and when, if ever, eX-
perience shall demonstrate the inutll-
ity or impracticability Of any one OF
them. we will proceed to make such
modification as necessity may demand.
The manifestations of punic faith by
others affords no justification for a
departure from the path of right by
US. The ancient and proyerbial repu-
tation of the people of this Commons
wealth for honor and integrity will
be maintained regardless of the selfish
and fanatical vituperation Of our enc
mics at home and abroad. The Gov
ernor advocates the encouragement
/ of emigration into the State, and says
/ any ablSmpG 10 TS-Op0u tAO OOACo VI
the war for party purposes should be
1 frowned down. And he concludes
/ Always a firm and consistent Union
/ ist, | expect to live aud die one Be-
yond this, the chief tenets of my po-
| litical faith, State and national, are
untarnished honesty and economy in
the administration of public affairs,
the equalization and reduction of tariff
and taxation to the lowest degree
consistent with the maintenance OF
the public credit; education for all,
and fostering care, encourage ment
and elevation of labor. and, until
fully, finally and permanently
accomplished, universal and i'm
partial suffrage. These are the
fundamental principles in my
political creed; and it matters not
what you may cali them, whether
Republican, Democrat or Liberal, so
far as applicable they will be faith
fully adhered to in my adminlstra-
ton of affairs of the State. Those
who agree with them will naturally
sustain and uphold the administra.
ton, while those who disagree with
them may oppose them.