The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-02
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED by THE RE
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.

PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RI
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.
The Republicans of Virginia, in Conyentio
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass fc
the election of a President and yice-Presider
| OIL the United States, now formally announc
wealth.
From 1865 to 1879 they have continually an
unwaverinSly held and proclaimed the sam
principles; and they hereby reiterate and re
affirm the resolutions of their State Convention
held in 1866, 1867, 1865, 1859, 1870, and 1871
These principles have been embodied in tn
18TH, i4th, and 10th amendments of the nationa
constitution and in the civil rights act of Apri
., 1866, the enforcement act of May 80, 1870, AM
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 O
these statesshall be citizens of the Union emit
tied to absolutely equal rights, civil and politi
cal
That the elective franchise and the right of of
fce-holding shall belong to ell citizens of prope
age not guilty of crime, irrespective OF race
color, or OF any other proscriptive qualification
2 That tho laws of Congress passed for tn,
enforcement of these rights should be diigentl,
executed; and that if, in practice, these law,
should be found inadequate for this purpose
other laws should be enacted by Congress effect
ual to that end.
g. That these constitutional amendments ane
the laws for their enforcement embody not onl,
me Just principles of equality and right; bu
those OF true Christian federation and that we
oppose all prescription for opinion sake and ali
endeavors to infuse spirit of hatred and hostili
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
ened at home and abroad the perpetrators of
hax hear,
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
ministered system of free schools, in pursuance
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 mana cement
OF me free schools OF Virginia, favor the cleo
ton Of sch DOL trustees by the people in such
manner that the minority as we'll 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 proscriptiye
spirit, by its attempts to hold the mass of the
people in ignorance, by its pernieious 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 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 upon
appeal to the State courts or Legislature but
are compelled to see the little wreck of property
left them by the war sacrificed under the sherffs
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 eXemp tions under the general
bankrupt act SO as to include the homestead ey-
emptions under our State constitution to be the
only means of relief now offered to our people,
md they therefore ask Congress to pass the
to that effect offered in the Senate
by the Hon. j. +. Lewis, and hereby pledge
themselves to the support of this measure.
8. That we extend hearty welcome to immi-
grafton and capital from abroad, and advocate
me development in every possible manner Of the
magnificent resources of forest, soil, water
power and mineral wealth in which Virginia
ibounds.
10. That the national currency given the ma
ion by the Republican party, has proved a
iduonti plesSlhpj tlldU q protective tarln is the
rue policy for the South, tending as it does to
produce that variety of employments which we
% much need; and that State and national taxa
ion should be reduced as rapidly.as possible,
consistently with due regard to the public faith
III. That this Convention, rs n mark of their |
aspect for the Hon. John f. Lewis and us ties,
lmonial to his valuable public services, and his
integrity of character, respectfully offer his |
lame to the Republican party of the United |
states, for nomination along with Gen. Grant, |
s candidate for the Weep residency.
H. That b this anmonsy
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 measure
made the object of iniquitous assault not only |
rom his political enemies but from those who |
heuld have been his political friends.
Supplemental Resolutions.
Resolced, 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
rotect all rights and secure prompt remedies for
IL wrongs IN the States lately in rebellion, where
he partisan character of the local courts, or the
Adequacy of their power, fails to secure pro-
ectioh to any portion Of the people,
ReSoLUed, 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
IL other public officers.
ReSolued That the National domain is the
ommon heritage of all the people, and should
sacredly guarded from speculation and mono
Oily; sold only for homesteads to actual settlers
small quantities, and the proceeds applied to
1ucation.
Resotued, That this Convention earnestly re
ommends the establishment of free National
in the city of Washington, to utilize
ne immense educational material now collected
lere; such University to be supported from the
roceeds of sales of the public lands.
ReSoloed, That cheap communication by mail
one of the most precious interests of the peo-
lie, and We call upon Congress TO perfect our
resent excellent system by adding there to the
ostal Telegraph, thus securing the vast benefits
telegraphic communication to ALL
WHEREAS 1t is of immense commercial impor-
Lnce to the people of the United States that n
ablic highway be established for cheap trans
ortation of freights between the people of
= it : '-'@'''~'
Resotced, That the Congress of the United
!ates pc memorialized to complete the James
iyer and kanawha canal, and that our Senators
I'D representatives in Congress be requested to
'e All honorable means to secure the completion
TINS national highway (already half compile
dl) as soon as possible