The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-18
PREMIUMS.
The Lynchburg Convention.

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We look forward to the assembling of
he state convention with great solicitude,
but also with well-grounded confidence that
its deliberations will be calm and well |
considered. There has been no more
critical and interesting period in the his
tory of our party in this state than the
present. We are steadily gaining ground
among the intelligent and respectable por-
ton of the people. Prejudices are soften
ing, and the old party boundaries are
disappearing. People are tired of war
and long for peace, and the opportu-
nifty of developing the material and
intellectual resources Of the state.
The Conservative coalition, under a |
leadership whose blindness is only |
equalled by its malignant spirit. has held
undsputed poss ession OF the state govern
ment and miserably failed to relieve the
people. Conservatism is always timid and
selfish. The times demand boldness, pos
tive faith, and a generous and tolerant
spirit in all parties. Iii not strange, there
fore, that the people turn away from a
party that dare not declare its creed
that ignores every great practical question
and proclaims opposition to the other
party as the Alpha and Omega Of its
faith.
The Republican party of this state is
portion of the Republican party Of the ma
ton, and its state convention is the only
body authorized to represent its sentiments
on national affairs. There are questions
of vast Importance whose decision is to be
reached only through national legislation,
and these should be discussed openly, and
the sense Of the convention taken to guide
our representatives in congress. Among
these are, cheap money, cheap telegraphs
by the postal system, absolute cessation
from land grants, and gradual reduction
and abolition of the army and navy and
substitution of national militia, in which
all offices are open to fair competition.
With a portion Of the money saved, a
national university and polytechnic
school with vast experimental workshops
and farms. should be organized, and made
free for all youth Of both sexes. Direct
election Of President, senator's. and all
officers, so far as possible, should be re-
affirmed. The water-line will of course
be endorsed. It is popular for everybody
to ride that hobby. The t,eo-te,m princi-
pie should be endorsed. The back-pay
bill should be denounced, and our repre-
sentatives instructed to vote for its imme-
date repeal and the return to the treasu-
ny of the money drawn under it.
The people asked bread and they have
received stone. And so they are nobly
dissatisfied as yet, not fully decided how
they can secure recognition and protection
for their rights and interests.
1t now remains for us to open the door Of
welcome, and throw party in contrast
with all this. 1t Is not enough that W.
present fair and unexceptional candidates
We must boldly announce policy upon
the great matters which interest the people,
We have an enormous debt, and the
current expenses of the state are very
heavy. What are we to do to meet
the financial difficulties Of the neal
future
Over one-half the children of the stat
are growing up in heathenish ignorance
and how are we to relieve them !?
Special legislation is the bane and ours
of the state, corrupting legislation AM
impeding financial progress by placin
great measures of improvement at tn
mercy of every corrupt member who's
vote IS needed for special charter. w
want general law Of incorporation whicl
will meet these great exigencies as the,
arise.
Our state is now, in many particulars,
centralized despotism Of the worst sort
We want the township government whicl
Thomas Jefferson advocated, and which i
the sheet.anchor of Republican liberty.
The judicial system is too complicated
and favors lawyers rather than clients. ]
requires thorough amendment, and tn
election Of judges, nfair proportion
whom should be business men and farmer
and tradesmen. The vast disproportion
lawyers in Offices Of every grade, and e'
pecially in the legislature, is a great ey
and should be denounced boldly. Law
are made needlessly complicated so .