The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-24
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE-
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.

PUBLICANS OF NIhtIINlA.
The Republicans of Virgini a, in Convention
assembled about to enter upon the canvass for
the election of President and Vice-President
oil the United States, now formally ANNOUNCE
their principles TO the voters of this Common
wealth.
From 1865 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, 1865, 1869, 1870 and 1871.
These principles have been embodied in the
18th, 18th, and 10Th amendments of the national
constitution; and in the civil rights act of April
0, 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 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 poti-
cal;
That the elective franchise and the right ofof-
fice-holding shall belong to all citizens of proper
age, not guilty of crime, irrespective of race,
color or of any other proscriptive qualification;
9. 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.
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 federation and that we
oppose all prescription for opinion sake and all
endeavors to infuse spirit of hatred and HOSTILE
ty in the minds of one class of citizens against
another on political grounds. a
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 doLI6Ts, 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 Pres-
dent to the most rigid accountability, all of
which has produced the present Unsatisfactory
condition of the national treasury. HzL
g. That q well conducted and faithfully adj
mnstered system of free schools, i'll 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, we favor the cleo
ii on of sch DOL trustees by the people in such
manner that the minority rs well 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 ana
fidelity of intention in the discharge OF his i'm
portant duties. .s
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 Inc
people in ignorance, by its perncious financial
legillaton and its oppressive taxation, has for
feited all claim to the support OF the people OF
Virginia and has shown that Il party IS unit TO
| exist which, like it., is organized ON the pr1nci-
Die of political and social prescription, and held
| together by no common boud 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 .
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 the little wreck OF property
left them by the war sacrificed under the sherH
| 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 it's advocate TO the present time, believes the
| extension of the exemptions under the general
/ bankrupt act so rs 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 tht
| amendment to that effect offered in the Senate
by the Hon. ]. +. Lewis, and hereby pledge
| themselves to the support OF this measure.
| o. That we extend a hearty welcome 10 imml
grafton and capital from abroad, and advocate
| the development in every possible manner OF TN
| magnificent resources of forest, soil, wafer
| power and mineral wealth in which Nirgini;
| abounds,
TO- That the national currency given the ma
ton by the Republican party, has proved
| national blessing; that a protective tariif Is TN
! true policy for the South, tending as it does u
| produce that variety of employments which W
SO much need and that State and national taxa
| ton should be reduced rapdlysas possible
| consistently with due regard TO the public faith
IL. That this Convention, as II mark of thei
respect for the Hon. John f. Lewis and as a ties
| timonial to his valuable public services and hi
integrity of character, respectfully offer hi
name to the Republican party of the Unite
States, for nomination along with Gen. Grant
| as a candidate for the Weep residency.
u. That this Convention unanimously recon-
mend the denomination General Grant 10
the Presidency, as due, not only to his srea
public services in the field and in the Cabinet
and to his fidelity and honesty, but as measul
| of justice to great and good man who has bee
| made the object of iniquitous assault not onl
from his political enemies but from those VIII
should have been his political friends.
Supplemental Resolutions.
Resoloed That in the opinion of this Cenyei
ton Congress should provide for such an extei
sion of the powers of the Federal courts as
protect all rights and secure prompt remedies fl
all wrongs in the States lately in rebellion, whei
inadeuuacy of their power, fails to secure pr
lection to any portion of the people.
| ResOlued, That we are in favor OF an amen'
ment to the Constitution of the United Stat
providing for the election OF Presiaent, we
President, and Senators, directly by the peopi
and, so far as possible, for such direct eiection
all other public officers.
ReSoloed, That the National domain is Il
common heritage of all the people, and shou
, be sacredly guarded from speculation and mon
poly; sold only for homesteads to actual settle
in small quantities, and the proceeds applied
! education.
, RESOLVED, That this Convention earnestly /
, commends the establishment of Il free Nation
University in the city of Washington, to utili
the immense educational material now collect
there; such University to be supported from 1
proceeds of sales of the public lands,
r Resoiued, That cheap communication by M;
| is one of the most precious interests of the p,
= pie, and we call upon Congress to perfect o
present excellent system by adding there TO I
! Postal Telegraph, thus securing the vast benef
I of telegraphic communication TO ALL