The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-31
COLONEL HUGHES SPEECH.

We append below the address OF Colonel
Robert w. Hughes, who was by tho
Lynchburg gubernatorial convention yes
terday, entrusted with the high and holy
duty of bearing aloft the Republican stand
ard in the approaching political campaign
in Virginia. We feel assured we need offer
no inducement to any Of our readers to
.peruse this admirable state paper, cogent in
reasoning, and convincing in argument as
it is. The principles, policy, aims and ends
OF the Republican party, either in its rela-
tons to the state, individual or nation, are
here treated with so much perspicuity and
clearness that he who runs may read:
OURS is THE NATIONAL FLAG.
The flag Of the Republican party is the
flag Of the nation, Abroad it is the SYM
boil of a continental government conducted
with success and renown upon the basis OF
liberty and equal rights to all. AT home,
it is the emblem Of national supremacy,
founded on fraternity between races and
sections. Whether floating over national
army or national party it is, under God,
the tailsman Of victory.
Virginia has joint inheritance in this
| rejoice that it is hers again, consecrated
by glorious traditions in all its added pres
tige. l am proud that it floats again SUI
premely honored over the length and
breadth of her sacred soil.
NATION OR SECTION.
twas the faith of Washington, Franklin,
Jefferson-it was the faith OF the fathers Of
the Republic-that the American Union
was God-ordained and God-upheld. The
whole tenor Of American history teaches
the same inspiring truth and the incidents
and results of the great civil war confirm
the gracious fact. We, therefore, who plead
for loyalty to the nation and friendship be-
tween races and sections-we, who depre-
cate the hatreds and prejudces which have
brought SO much ruin upon the country
we have the CONSCIOUSNESS that our cause
is not only right, but sacred, We know
that it is upheld by that Power to which
the Father of his Country ascribed the es-
Enlistment and sustainment of the Ma
tional Union.
THE NATIONS CLAIM TO LOYAL REV.
ERENCE.
Our great party does right in cultivating
sentiments of affectonate reverence for the
nation of which we are part. The nation
is not a machine contrived by human in
yention, to be remodeled aud taken apart
according to the caprices of men. 1t is an
organism and growth. 1t has life, pur-
poses, and aspirations. 1t has moral rela-
lions with its divine head and its constitu-
ent members. 1t has religious as well as
civil claims to the homage and allegiance of
its citizens. 1t is not subject for theo-
res, but an object for the affections. 1t
is not merely apower to be obeyed, but a
divinely given parent, worthy Of an I'M
questioning duty and affection.
As children of the nation, our fellow
citizens of all classes and localities are our
tan loyalty and all races and sections oil
vast continent are barmonized on the
filial basis of q common patriotism.
sECTIoNALISM DESTROYS, NATIONAL
ISM BUILDS UP.
When we look around us we need not tc
be told that the spirit Of sectionalism
and political decay !; that the spirit o.
nationalism harmonizes, builds up, ant
prospers. Hatred, intolerance, and pros.
criptiseness are not among the character.
istics of the national party of the state or
country. They are attributes which our
political adversaries monopolze, and which
constitute their platform and tactics. Lei
the American citizen ask himself whether
the Divine favor has been shown to thu
nation or the section in the career of the
American people, and the answer will
leave no room for doubt Of his duty as {
Christian patriot.
THE REPUBLICAN FLAG.
The FLAG under which our party rallies re
presents the national idea. 1t typifes all
that is glorious in our career, all that is ex
panded in our patriotism, all that is hopeful
in our destiny as people. 1t repels ne
class, no creed, no race, no section; bu
attracts all in the bonds Of fraternal citi
ship and commonnationality. Good will
federation, fraternity, are the attributes Of
the party which rallies under its folds
The opposite are the qualities of the part,
which hates and spurns it.
The Republicans of Virginia will prov,
by their firm support of national princi
Piles, under malignant abuse and vindictiv,
assault, that they are worthy opponents O
that national cause which is peace, AMI
worthy custodians of that national hag
which is emblematic Of the amenities an,
glories of this great union of sections
States, and races in one people.
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
The platform of our party is as SCUM
principles, which are the guaranty at ono
of local peace and thrift, and of nationa
harmony and glory. / thank God tn,
he has put it into the hearts of the Anne
lean people to adopt the three ament
ments OF the national constitution whic
embady the principles of our party. Or
of these amendments gives liberty to a
men in the land another gives either
ship the third insures equality Of civ
rights to all citizens in every state Of IL
Union. These measures simple, compr
hensive, thorough-were intended to Sc
tie the angry controversy Of thirty yea
duration concerning the relations OF Il
white and black races.
THE QUESTION OF RACE WISELY
SETTLED.
They do seattle these relations on the eI
during basis Of equal rights under the la
for all. No evil to the material interes
of the country has attended their adoption
But the noble fact is developed that Il
colored laborers of the south produce
large crops of the great staples of cotto
and tobacco in e state of liberty as thu