The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-17
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE.
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.,

PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE-
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.
The Republicans of Virginia, in Convention
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass for
the election of President and Vice-President
oil the United States, now formally announce
their principles to the voters of this Common
wealth.
From 1860 to 1872 they have continually and
unwaveringly held and proclaimed the same
principles and they hereby reiterate and re-
affirm the resolutions of their State Conventions
held in 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, and 1871.
These principles have been embodied in the
18th, l4th and 10Th 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 90, 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 poiti-
cal; -
That the elective franchise and the right of Of
fce-holdmg 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 if, in practice, these laws
should be found inadequate for this purpose
other laws should be enacted by Congress effect
ual to that end.
g. 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 liberation; and that we
OPPOSE all prescription for opinion salse and al
endeayors to infuse spirit of hatred and hostili-
ty in the minds of one class of citizens against
another on political grounds.
4. 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
nl>o.y
have been collected by officers held by the Pres-
dent to the most rigid accountability, all OF
which has produced the present satisfactory
condition of the national treasury.
8. That well conducted and faithfully adj
ministered system of free schools, in pursuance
of the State constitution 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 we'll as the major
ity may be represented in the school boards.
g. 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 inn
portant duties.
7. That the so-called 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
legirlation and its oppressive taxation, has for
feited all claim to the support of the people of
Virginia and has shown that party is unfit to
exist which, like it, is organized on the princi-
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.
8. That the wise provisions of the homestead
clause in our State constitution have been ig-
nored by the judiciary or ruled upon in such q
manner as to deny to our people its intended
benefits.
Suffering debtors find no adequate relief upon
appeal to the State courts or Legislature, but
are compelled to see the little wreck OF property
left them by the war sacrificed under the sheriff
hammer at forced sale and themselves and fani-
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 to include the homestead ex-
| emptions under our State constitution TO be 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. f. Lewis, and hereby pledgt
| themselves to the support of this measure
| 8. That we extend a hearty welcome to immi
| grafton and capital from abroad, and advocate
| the development in every possible manner OF tht
| magnificent resources OF forest, SOIL, water
power and mineral wealth in which Virgins
| abounds
| 10. That the national currency given the ma
| ton by the Republican party, has proved
national blessing; that protective tariff is tn
| true policy for the South, tending AS it does Il
| produce that variety of employments which w
| So much need; and that State and nationul taxa
| ton should be reduced as rapidlylas possible
consistently with due regard to the public faith
| IL. That this Convention, as IL mark of thei
| respect for the Hon. John f. Lewis and as ties
timonial to his valuable public services and hi
integrity of character, respectfully offer hi
name to the Republican party of the Unite
States, for nomination along with Gen. Grant
as candidate for the Vice-Presidency.
IL. That this ConventiQn unanimously recon
| mend the denomination, General Grant TO
the Presidency, as due, not only to his erea
public services in the field and in the Cabinet
and to his fidelity and honesty, but as measur
| of justice to great and good man who has bee
| made the object of iniquitous assault not onl
| from his political enemies but from those VIII
should have been his political friends.
| Supplemental Resolutions.
| Resolped That in the opinion of this Conver
ton Congress should provide for such an exter
sion of the powers of the Federal courts as
protect ali rights and secure prompt remedies ft
all wrongs in the States lately in rebellion, whel
the partisan character of the local courts, or tn
inadequacy of their power, fails to secure pr
lection to any portion of the people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of an ament
ment to the Constitution of the United STATE
providing for the election of President, Vie
President, and Senators, directly by the peopl
and, so far as possible, for such direct election
all other public officers.
Resolued, That the National domain is III
common heritage of all the people, and shoul
be sacredly guarded from speculation and mon
poly; sold only for homesteads to actual settle
in small quantities. and the proceeds applied
education.
Resolved, That this Convention earnestly +
commends the establishment of q free Nation
University In the city of Washington, to util
the immense educational material now collect,
there; such University to be supported from Il
proceeds of sales of the public lands.
Resolved That cheap communication by ma
is one of the most precious interests of the pc
, Pile, and we call upon Congress TO perfect o
i present excellent system by adding there to {
! | Postal Telegraph thus securing the vast benef
] of talaRra Ilhic Accommodation TO all.