The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-22
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE
PUBL1CANS OF VIRGINIA.

PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE
| PUBLlCANS OF VIRGINIA. ......
The Republicans of Virginia, in Convention
| assembled, about to enter upon the canvass fo
The election of President and Fice-Presiden
| oil the United States, now formally announc,
their principles to the voters of this Common
| wealth.
From 1865 to 1879 they have continually ant
unwaverngly held and proclaimed the sam,
| principles and they hereby reiterate and re
| affirm tho resolutions of their State Conventions
held in 1885, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, and 1871.
These principles have been embodied in tn,
| 18th, 18th, and 18th amendments of the nationa
constitution and I'm the civil rights act of April
o, 1866, the enforcement act of May 80, 1870, and
the amended enforcement act of April 20, 1871
which principles in brief are -
| l. That slavery shall never exist I'm this Union
| That all native and naturalized inhabitants OF
THESE states shall be citizens of the Union, emit
Tied TO absolutely equal rights. civil and politi
| cal;
That the elective franchise and the right of of
hceholding shall belong to all citizens of proper
! age, not guilty of crime, irrespective of race
color, or OF any other proscrptiye qualification
| = 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 he 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
ondeayors TO mfuse spirit of hatred and bostili-
" in tho 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
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. " .T
| 8. That well conducted and faithfully adj
ministeIed system of free schools, in pursuance
of the State constitution, whereby the children
of the people shall be universally educated, is u
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 BIO represented in the school boards.
6. That IL 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 .'H.# ~. s# a
7. That the so-called Conservative party of
this State, by its unjust laws and proscriptiye
spirit, by its attempts TO hold the mass of the
people IN ignorance, by Its pernicious financial
legiglation and its oppressive taxation has for.
fitted all claim to the support Of the people of
Virginia ; and has shown that a party is unfit to
exist which, like it, is organized on the prnci-
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 tho wise provisions of the homestead
clause in our State constitution have been ig-
nored by the judiciary or ruled upon In such n
manner AS to deny to our people its intended
benefits. .H'..a. ~. =. ..rT. sr.-. .
Suffering debtors find no adequate relief upon
appeal to the State courts or Legislature, but
are compelled to SEQ the little wreck of property
left them by the sacrificed under the sheriff
hammer at forced sale and themselves and fami-
lies left homeless beggars. f-a. .-..r .
In view of these facts, the Republican party of
Virginia, as tho author of the homestead clause
and its advocate to the present time believes tho
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 effect offered in the Senate
by the Hon. ] F. Lewis and hereby pledge
themselves to the support OF this measure. a4si
0. That we extend a hearty welcome to mmi-
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
abounds. -la.As# ~ aENtsH -sa #t' g.
10. That the national currency given the ma
ton. by the Republican party, has proved a
national blessing; that q protective tariff is the
true policy for the South, tending as it does to
produce that variety of employments which we
Sd much need and that State and nationpl taxa
ton should be reduced as rapidlyaas possible,
consistently with due regard TO the public faith.
IL. That this Convention, as u mark of their
respect for the Hon. John F. Lewis and as Il ties,
Hmoniai to hisyaluable 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. !, -
~, That this Convention unanimously recon-
mend the denomination, General Grant for
the Presidency as due, not only to his great
and to his fidelity and honesty, but as measure
OF justice to a great and good man who has been
made the OBJECT Of iniquitons assault not only
should have been his POLITICAL friends.
Supplemental Resolutions. ,Eg4T
Resolped That in the opinion of this Cenven
ton Congress should provide for such an extern
sion of the powers Of the Federal courts, as to
protect all rights and secure prompt remedies for
all wrongs In the States lately in rebellion, where
the partisan character OF the local courts, or the
inadequacy of their power, fails to secure pro-
lection TO any portion Of the people. 4'
Resolved 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, far as possible, for such direct election OF
all other public officers.
Resolued That the National domain is the
common heritage of all the people, and should
be SaGr5uiy HulrQed from speculation anu iloho-
poly sold only haI,eateads to actual settlers
in small quantities, and the proceeds applied to
education. f H'
Resolved That this Convention earnestly re
commends the establishment of a 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. .s1 ~ :.
Resolved 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 telegraphic communication to ALL
WHEREAS it is of immense commercial impor-
tanee to the people of the United States that a
public highway be established for cheap trans
portation of freights between the people of
the West and the Atlantic seaboard; therefore,
belt f.5
Hesalpsd, That the Congress Of the United
| States be mernorialized 10 cpJRplete the James
River and Kanawha canal, and 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 as soon as possible
IB0-Inyolnntary.
TN THE DISTRICT COURT Of THE UNI.
4