The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-23
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE-
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA. aaa

The Republicans of Virginia, In Convention
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass for
the election of II President and Vice. President
oil the United States, now formally announce
their principles to the voters of this Common
wealth.
From 1865 to 1872 they have continually and
unwaveripgly held and proclaimed the same
principles and they hereby reiteratc and re-
affirm the resolutions Of their State Conventions
held in 1865, 1867, 1868, 1860, 1870, and 1871.
These principles have been embodied in the
18th, 18th, and 18th amendments of the national
constitution and in the civil rights act of April
8, 1866. the enforcement act of MAY 80, 1870, and
the amended enforcement act of April 20, 1871 /;
which principles in brief are =
/. That slavery shall never exist in this Union
That all native and naturalized inhabitants of
these states shall be citizens of the Union, enti-
tied to absolutely equal rights, civil and politi-
cal; sa rsg
ffce-holding shall belong to all citizens of proper
age, not guilty of crime, irrespective of race,
color, or of any other proscriptive qualification;
2. That the laws of Congress passed for the
enforcement of these rights should be diligently
executed; and that ii, in practice, these laws
should be found inadequate for this purpose,
other laws should be enacted by Congress effect
ual to that end.
3. That these constitutional amendments and
the laws for their enforcement embody not only
the just principles of equality and right but
those of true Christian federation and that we
oppose all prescription for opinion sake, and all
eDdeayors to infuse q spirit of hatred and HOSTILE
ty in the minds of one class of citizens against
another on political grounds.
A. That we challenge the world to produce
financial results more successful than have been
achieved by the national administration, The
national debt has been diminished three hundred
millions Of dollars, while taxation by the nation
al government has been largely and steadily re-
duced. Our credit has improved and strength
ened at home and abroad the perpetrators of
fraud and embeZZlement have been vigorously
pursued and promptly punished the revenues
have been collected by officers held by the Presi-
dent to the most rigid accountability, all OF
which has produced the present satisfactory
condition of the national treasury.
8. That a well conducted and faithfully ad
ministered system of free schools, in pursuance
of the State constitu ton, whereby the children
of the people shall be universally educated, is a
cardinal policy of the Republican party, and
necessary to the well being of society and as
one Means of securing an efficient management
of the free schools of Virginia, we favor the cleo
ton of sch DOL trustees by the people in such
manner that the minority as well as the major
ity may be represented IN the school boards.
6. That it is due to the Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction of Virginia, that this Convention
should Express their approval of his late able re-
port, as giving earnest of his competency and
fidelity of intention in the discharge of his i'm
portant duties.
2. That the so-caIled Conservative party of
this State, by its unjust laws and proscriptive
spirit, by its attempts to hold the mass of the
people in ignorance, by its pernicious financial
legiclation and its oppressive taxation, has for
feited all claim TO the support of the people of
Virginia and has. shown that a party is unfit to
cAiSS hith q 10 VI dillZtd Otl lIlt litlilCE
| pie of political and social prescription, and held
together by no common bond but that of hatred
towards the national government and its sup
porters.
s. That the wise provisions of the homestead
\ clause in our State constitution haze been ig-
nored by the judiciary or ruled upon in such a
manner as to deny to our people its intended
benefits. EST
Suffering debtors find no adequate relief upon
appeal to the State courts or Legislature, but
are compelled to see the little wreck of property
l loft than hy tha Iua ~ Sappifnn1 r111pf tho Shapiff G
hammer at forced sale and themselves and fami-
lies left homeless beggars.
In view of these facts, The Republican party OF
Virginia, as the author of the homestead clause
and its advocate to the present time, believes the
extension of the exemptions under the general
bankrupt act so as to include the homestead ex-
emptions under our State constitution to he the
only means of relief now offered to our people,
and they therefore ask Congress to pass the
amendment to that effect offered in the Senate
by the Hon. j., i. Lewis, and hereby pledge
themselves to the support of this measure.
8. That We extend a hearty welcome 10 immi-
grafton and capital from abroad, and advocate
the development in every possible manner of the
power and mineral wealth in which Virginia
hounds.
10. That the national currency given the ma.
ton by the Republican party, has proved q
national blessing; that a protective tariff is the
true policy for the South, tending as ii does tc
produce that variety OF employments which we
SO much need and that State and national taxa.
ton should be reduced as rapidly Jas possible,
consistently with 4 due regard to the public faith
II. That this Convention, as Il mark of their
respect for the Hon, John +. Lewis and as a ties,
timoniai to his valuable public services, and his
integrity OF character, respectfully offer his
name to the Republican party of the United
States, for nomination along with Gen, Grant
as a candidate for the Vice Presidency.
II. That this Convention unanimously recon.
mend the denomination General Grant fol-
the Presidency, rs due, not only to his. greai
public services in the field and in the Cabinet
and to his fidelity and honesty, but as a measur,
OF justice to a great and good man who has beer
made the object of iniquitous assault not only
from his political enemies but from those who
should have been his political friends.