The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-07
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE-
HUBLICANS OF XikGINlA.

PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE-
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.
The Republicans of Virginia, in Convention
assembled about to enter upon the canvass Tor
the election of a 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
unwaveringly held and proclaimed the same
principles and they hereby reiterate and
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, 1906 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, ent-
tied to absolutely equal rights, civil and polit-
cal;
That the elective franchise and the right ofof-
flce-holding shall belong to all citizens of proper
age not guilty Of crime, ire, pective 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 purpo e,
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 liberation; and that we
oppose all prescription for opinion sake, and all
endeavors to infuse spirit of hatred and HOSTILE
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
cned at home and abroad the perpetrators of
fraud and embezziement 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 adj
minis tered system of free schools, in pursuance
| of the State constitution, whereby the children
of the people shall be universally educated, is q
| cardinal policy of the Republican party, and
| necessary to the we'll being of society; and as
| one means of securing an efficient management
CT 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
| 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 I'M
| portant duties.
| 7. That the so-called Conservative party of
this State, by its unjust laws and proscrlptive
| spirit, by its attempts TO hold the mass OF the
| people In ignorance, by its pernicious financial
legi lation and its oppressive taxation, has for
| feited all claim TO the support OF the people OF
| Vii ginia and has shown that party is unfit 10
exist which, like it, is organized on the princ-
| pie of political and social prescription, and held
| together by no common bond but tn 1t of hatred
| towards the national government and its sup
| porters.
| g. 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
Of ,nrt
left them by the war sacrificed under the sheriff S
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 be the
only means of relief now offered to our people,
| and they therefore ask Congress to pass the
| amendment TO that elect offered in the Senate
| by the Hon. J. +. Lewis, and hereby pledge
themselves to the support of this measure,
9. That we extend a hearty welcome TO imml-
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 Virginia
aboupds. .. .....
10. That the national currency given the ma
ton by the Republican party, has proved a
national blessing; that a protective tariff is the
true policy for the South, tending as it does 10
produce that variety of employments which we
SD much need and that State and nationul taxa
| ton should be reduced as rapidly as possible,
consistently with 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,
timonial 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 Nice-Presideney.
H. That this Conventien unanimously recon-
mend the denomination General Grant FOL
the Presidency, as due, not only to his great
public ervices in the field and in the Cabinet
| n fiHplttU honesty q n
| of justice to a great and good man who has been
made the object of iniquitous assault not only
from his political enemies but from those who
Should have been his political friends.
Supplemental Resolutions.
RESOLVED, That in the opinion of this Conven
ton Congress should provide for such an extern
sion of the powers OF the Federal courts, as t.
protect all rights and secure prompt remedies fo
all wrongs in the States lately in rebellion where
the partisan character of the local courts, or thu
inadequacy of their power, fails to secure pro
lection to any portion Of the people.
Resolred, That we in favor of an amend
ment to the Constitution of the United State
providing for the election of President, Vice
President, and Senators, directly by the people
and so far as possible for such direct election o
all other pubic officers.
: ReSolred, That the National domain is tn,
common heritage of all the people, and SHOULD
be sacredy guarded from speculation and mono
, poly; sold only for homesteads TO actual settler
{ in small quantities, and the proceeds applied Il
education.
: ReSolued, That this Convention earnestly re
commends the establishment of free Nationa
University in the city OF Washington, to utiliz
the immense educational material now collecteC
there such University 10 be supported from III
proceeds of sales of the public lands.
ResolUed, That cheap communication by mai
is one of the most precious interests of the peo
, pie, and we call upon Congress to perfect GU
present excellent system by adding there to tn
Postal telegraph, thus securing the vast benefits
, | JelegTuDllc
, WHEREAS it is of immense commercial impor
! | lance TO the people OF the United States that
! public highway be established for cheap trans
] J portation OF trelghts between the people O
the West and the Atlantic seaboard therefore
, | be IL
Resolved, That the Congress of the Unite
! States be memoriailzed TO complete the Jane
, | River and Kanawha canal, and that our Senat tor
and representatives in Congress be redues ed I
2 use all honorable means TO secure the ccmpletio
of this national highway (already half compile