The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-08

From 1865 % 1877 they have continnaIiy and
unwaveringly held and proclaimed the same
principles 4 and they hereby reiterate and re-
affirm the resolutions of their State Conventions
held in 1866, 1867, 1865, 1869, 1870, and 1871.
These principles have been embodied in the
18th, l4th, and 18th amendments OF the national
constitution and In the civil rights act of April
0, 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 poifti-
cal;
That the elective franchise and the right of Of
flce-holdng shall belong to all citizens of proper
age, not guilty OF crime, irrespective of race,
color, or of any other proscriptive qualification
g. That the laws OF Congress passed for the
enforcement of these rights should be diligently
executed; and that IT, In practice, these laws
should be found inadequate for this purpose,
other laws should be enacted by Congress effect
ual to that end
s. 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
enteayors to infuse spirit of hatred and hostile
~ in the minds of one class of citizens against
another on political grounds. 70 L i5t f.-..3
t. That we challenge the world to produce
financial results more successful than have been
achieved BY the national administration. The
national debt has bcea aile!qished three hundred
-
al government has been largely and steadily re-
duced. Our credit has improved and strength
ened az 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 well conducted and faithfully ad
ministere ed system of free schools, in pursuance
of the stats constitution, whereby the Children
~ tha 10 hal I'm npiv tu adu tnd fa
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 elec
tion of sch DOL trustees by the people In such
manner that the minority as well rs 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 inn
portant duties. ..EtlfT FfffI z
Z. That the so-caIled Conservative party of
this State, by its unjust laws and proscriptlve
spirit, by its attempts to hold the mass of the
peope inignorance, by its pernicious financial
IegE iatipnsnf its oppressive taxation, has for
feited oil claim 10 The ssIraft Of the people of
Virginia and has shown that 2 party y Hhiit to
exist which, like it, is organized on the princi-
pie of political and social prescription, and held
together by no oommon bond but that Of hatred
towards the, national government and lis sap
s. That the wise provisions of the homestead
clause in our State constitution, have been ig-
rored by the Judiciary or ruled upon in such a
manner as to deny to our people its intended
benefits. g-s,--- ---.4,I sE..,.. 3
sufisrfng debtors ind Ha adequate relief upon
appeal to the State eonrfs Or Legislature, but
are compelled to see the itttfe wreck Of property
lefb them BY the hr iced under the sheriff
lies isft homeless beg Ia ns,' Fa
In view OF these facts, the Republican party Of
Virginia., us the author of the homestead clause
and It's 4dvoeate to the present Time believes the
extensionof the exemptions under the general
bankrupt act SO as to inclnde the homestead ex-
emptions under our State constitution to be the
only means of relief now offered to our people,
amendment to that effect offered in the Senate
by the Hon. j.. +, Lewis, and hereby pledge
theSst gY z he support q this measure
grafton and capital from abroad, and advocate
the Development in every possible manner of the
magnificent resources Of forest, soil, water
power and mineral wealth in which ME Virginia
10, That the national currency given the ma
ton by The Republican, party, has proved a
naiona blessing hat protective tarf j. ne
produce that variety Of enployments which We
SO much need; and that STATE and nationul taxa
on shSals sf rsaS s gpdyn ossh 1
IL; That this Convention, as u mark Of their
respect for the Hon. John i. Lewis and as a ties,
timonial to his valuable public services, and his
inltkIlty VI respectfully oncT Ills
name to- the Republican party Of the United
Sta.ss, for nomination along with Gen. Grant,
as S TSat aSs S s
mend the reh s General us ara reto for
the Presidency, as due, not only to his great
public services in the field and in the Cabinet.
and to his fidelity and honesty, but as a measure
of justice to q great and good man who has been
made the object Of iniquitoirs assault not only
from his political enemies but from those who
Should have been his political friends
Supplemental Resolutions. tt}
ResOloed, That in the opinion of this Cepven
ton Congress should provide for such an extern
sion of the powers of the Federal courts, as to
ali wrongs in the States lately in rebellion, where
the partisan character of the local courts, or the
inadequaey of their power, fails to secure pro-
lection to any portion Of the people. .5 r. Il
Resolued, That we are in favor of an amend
ment to the Constitution of the United States
providing for the election of President, Vice
President, and Senators, directly by the people,
and, SO far as possible for such direct election OF
all other public officers.
Resolved, That the National domain is the
common heritage Of all the people, and should
be sacfedly guarded from speculation and mono
poly SOLD oily for hoInesteads to actual settlers
II small atfantt'es ana the proceeds applied to
ResoIped, That this Convention earnestly re
cpnmends the establishmentof d free National
University in the city OF Washington, to utilize
the immense educational material now collected
there; such University to be supported from the
proceeds of sales Of the public lands.
Resotyed That cheap communication by mail
is one of the most precious interests of the peo-
pie, and we call upon Congress to perfect our
present excellent system by adding there to the
Postal Telegraph, thus securing the vast benefits
of Geographic communication to all. 4E
WHEREAS it is of immense; commercial impor-
lance to the people of the United States that u
public highway be established for cheap trans
portation of freights between the people of
the, West and the Atlantic seaboard therefore,
be it tf !.
ReSoleed That the Congress of the United
States be memorialized to complete tho James
River and kanawha canal ana that our Senators
and representatives in Congress be requested to
use all honorable means to secure the completion
of this national highway (already half compile
ted rs soon as possible.