The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-20
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED by THE RE-
81 PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.

The Republicans of Virginia, In Convention
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass for
the election of a President and Vice-President
oil the United States, now formally announce
their principles to the voters of this Common
wealth. r- a-5.r -.s....a .... .... .r.. .
unwaveringly held and proclaimed the same
principles ; and they hereby reiterate and re-
affirm the resolutions of their State Conventions
held in 1866, 1867, 1885, 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
g. 1906 the enforcement act of May 80, 1870, and
the amended enforcement act of April 20, 1871 ;
which principles in brief are = Il. ..-
l. That slavery shall never exist in this Union d;
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; do. ...r ~ SD. ..sr.. ......
That the elective franchise and the right of Of
holding shall belong to all citizens of proper
age, not guilty of crime, irrespective of race
color, or of any other proscrptive 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 effect
ual to that end ss ..... ..-t-rl a-..0. ..r....
s. That these constitutional amendments and
the laws for their enforcement elnbody 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
endeayors to infuse spirit Of hatred and hostil-
ty in the minds of one class of citizens against
another OH 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 hltadred
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 embezzement have been vigorously
| pursued and promptly punished the revenues
have been collected by officers held by the Pres-
dent to the most rigid accountability, all OF
| which has produced the present satisfactory
condition of the national treasury. lqa
| 8. That a well conducted and faithfully ad
ministeIed 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 well being of society," and as
one means of securing an efficient management
of the free schools of Virginia, 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.
| 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 I'M
| portant duties. ...- .r-.
7. That the so-caIled Conservative party of
this State, by its unjust laws and proscriptive
spirit, by its attempts to hold the mass of the
| people in ignorance, by Its perncious financial
Legislation and its oppressive taxation, has for
| feited all claim to the support of the people Of
Virginia and has shown that party is unfit 10
| 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
| porter's.
S. That the wise provisions of the homestead
| clause in our State constitution have been is-
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 upon
appeal to the State courts or Legislature, but
are compelled to see the little wreck of property
lett them by the sacrificed undpr the sheriff
| 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 as to include the homestead ex-
/ emptions under orr 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, aud hereby pledge
| themselves to the support of this measure.
0. That we extend hearty welcome to immi-
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 4-..
| 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 1T does TO
produce that variety of employments which we
50 much need; and that State and nationul taxa.
ton should be reduced as rapidlyas possible,
consistently with due regard to the public faith
4 - IL. That this Convention, as u mark of their
j 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 candidate for the ViceP Presidency
H. That this Convention unanimously recon-
mend the denominations General Grant fol
the Presidency, as due, not only to his grea
public services in the field and in the Cabinet
and to his fidelity and honesty, but as a measure
of justice to a great and good man who has beer
made the object of iniquitous assault not only
from his political enemies but from those who
should have been his political friends.