The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-11
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.

rhiNCifLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE
PUBLiCANs OF VIRGINIA.
The Republicans of Virginia, in Convention
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass 70
the election of a President and Vice.Presiden
Oh the United States, now formally announce
wealth.
From 1865 to 1872 they have continually an,
unwaveringly held and proclaimed the sam,
principles and they hereby reiterate and re
aliirm the resolutions of their State Convention.
held in 1866, 1867, 1865, ls69, 1870, and 1871.
These principles have been embodied in the
l3tn, l4th, and 10Th amendments of the nationa
constitution and in the civil rights act of April
=, 1866, the enforcement act of May 80, 1870 and
the amended enforcement act of April 90 1871
which principles in brief are >
| l.. That slavery shall never exist in 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 ripbt ofof
hce-holding shall belong to all citizens of proper
| age, not guilty of crime, irrespective of race,
Color, or OF any other proscriptive qualification
| Ihat 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.
| 8. 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
enoeayors TO infuse spirit of hatred and HOSTILE
ty in the minds of one class of citizens against
| another on political grounds
L. 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 buo,jre5
| millions Of dollars, while taxation by the nation
al government has been largely and steadily re-
uuced 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
nave 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.
o. mat well conducted and faithfully adj
mlnlstered system of free schools in pursuance
OF the State constitution, whereby the children
OF the people shall be universally educated is n
cardinal policy of the Republican party, and
necessary to the well being of society: and as
one means of securing an efficient infringement
OF the free schools OF Virginia. we favor the cleo
uon or sen DOL trustees by the people in such
ma that the minority as well as the major
lty may be represented in the school boards.
g. Ihat 1t 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
portant duties.
= That the so-called Conservative party of
this State, by its unjust laws and proscrlptiye
spirit, by its attempts to hold the mass of the
people in ignorance, by its pernicious financial
leEiciaton and its oppressive taxation, has for
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.
s. That the wise provisions of the homestead |
clause in our State constitution have been ig- |
nored by the judiciary or ruled upon in such a |
manner as to deny to our people its intended
benefits.
Suffering debtors find no ADEQUATE relief unon
M I nni clat L,,tl
are compelled to see the little wreck of property
left them by the war sacrificed under the sherfs
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 effect offered in the Senate
by the Hon. j. +. Lewis, and hereby pledge
themselves to the support of this measure.
0. That we extend n hearty welcome TO imml-
grafton and capital from abroad, and advocate
The development in every possible manner of the
resources of forest, soil, water
power and mineral wealth in which Virginia
-
10. That the national currency given the M
ion by the Republican party, has proved a |
rue policy Tor the South, tending as il does to |
produce that variety of employments which we
% much need and that State and nationul taxa
ion should be reduced as rapidlylas possible,
consistently with a due regard to the public faith
IL. That this Convention, rs II mark of their
aspect for the Hon. John L. Lewis and as a tes
imonial to his valuable public services, and his
integrity of character, respectfully offer his
ame to the Republican party of the United
states, for nomination along with Gen Grant,
s candidate for the Vice-Presidency.
IL. That this Convention unanimously recon-
mend the renominationb General Grant for
he Presidency, as due not only to his great
'ublic services in the field and in the Cabinet,
nd to his fidelity and honesty, but as a measure
4 justice to great and good man who has been
made the object of iniquitous assault not only
rom his political enemies but from those who
Mould have been his political friends.
Supplemental Resolutions
ResotUed, That in the opinion of this Conven-
ION Congress should provide for such an extern
ION OF the powers of the Federal courts as to
roteet all rights and secure prompt remedies for
IL wrongs in the States lately in rebellion, where
ne partisan character of the local courts, or the
Adequacy of their power, fails to secure pro-
eG q to any portion Of the people,
RESOLVED, That we are in favor of an amend |
lent to the Constitution of the United States |
rovidIng for the election of President, Vice.
resident, and Senators, directly by the people, |
nd, so far possible, for such direct election OF
ii other public officers.
Resolced, That the National domain is the .
'mmon heritage of all the people, and should ,
, saeredly guarded from speculation and mono
by sold only for homesteads to actual settlers ,
SIN all quantities, and the proceeds applied to
lucat ion.
Resolved, That this Convention earnestly re
mmends the establishment of Il free National
niyers ty in the city of Washington, to utilize
g imme nse educational material now collected
ere; sue b University to be supported from the
'oceeds of sales of the public lands.
ReS0LUed, That cheap communication by mail
one of the most precious interests of the peo-
e, and we call upon Congress to perfect our
esent excellent system by adding there TO the
1stal Telegr aph, thus securing the vast benefits
Geographic communication to all.
WHEREAS it is OF immense commercial impor- .
nee to the people of the United States that a
lblic highway i,e established for cheap trans =
'rtation of fret ghts between the people of
e West and the Atlantic seaboard therefore, :
it
Resolved, That the Congress of the United
ates be memorialized to complete the James A
yer and Kanawha canal, and that our Senators
id representatives in Congress be requested to :
e all honorable means to secure the completion
this national highway (aready half compile
ID as soon as possible. 1