The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-08
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED by II RE
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.

The Republicans Of Virginia, in Convention
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass for
oil the United States, now formally announce
their principles to the voters OF this Common
wealth.
From 1866 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 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 politi-
cal;
That the elective franchise and the right of of-
f1ce-holding shall belong to all citizens of proper
age, not guilty of crime, irrespective of race,
color, or of any other proscriptiYe 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 ELECT
uai 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 thai we
oppose all prescription for opinion sake, and all
endeavors to infuse q spirit of hatred and hostili-
ty in the minds of one class of citizens against
another on political grounds.
A. 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.
8. That a well conducted and faithfully ad
| ministeTed system of free schools, in pursuance
of the State constitution, whereby the children
of the people shall be universally edu lated, Is q
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 be represented in the school boards.
8. 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 anC
fidelity OF intention in the discharge of his i'm
dortant duties.