The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-07-24
THE TWO CONVENTIONS.


The frequent notices we see in our ex-
charges OF the appointm of delegates TO
the Republican and Conservative conventions.
to be held respectively in Lynchburg on the
Both inst. and Richmond, on the Sth proxi
mo- remind US that the two political orsaui
cations of Virginia will soon have completed
their preliminary arrangements for the No
vember contest. The campaign from present
indications, will be active, and if we arc to
Judge from the editorial comments of tie
conservative press, acrimonious. We would
much prefer to have calm discussion of the
principles which .underlie the two parties,
and address arguments to the reason and
common sense Of the people, rather than to
be compelled to resent the vituperative and
slsnderous assaults of the conservative press
We earnestly hope that dspasslonate counsel
and an elevated tone will characterize the de-
bates both through the press and on the ros
trum. II there shall be any departure from
this more acceptable method of disputation,
it will not be of our seeking, but merely .the
the result of uncomfortable provocation.
The Republican party will 60 into the cam
paign with well defined principles and clear
ly indicated state policy They will lay down
as their governing ideas, platform similar in
tone to that which we have time and again
presented to our readers, ss the basis of our
action.
An impartial and just support Of the nation
al government;
A faithful observance Of the Federal Con-
stitutiou, and the reconstruction acts,
The maintenance, inviolate, of the public
faith of the state;
The completion of the James River apd
Kauawha Canal by the aid of the national
government; a@ o
The education of the masses, through the
iustrumentality of Public Free Schools, and
to do so the more effectually, shall favor
congressional aid TO perfect the system and
enlarge its usefulness, so as to embrace
every child in the commonwealth, with as lit
tle cost to the state as possible;
We shall favor an enlightened system of
Internal improvements, with view to the do.
establishment Of manufactures. 6e.
These general fundamental thoughts will
embrace the platform of the Republican par
ty, and it is our purpose to urge their adop-
ton by the people. in every legitimate meth
cd that suggests itself to our mind: H
five arevt arrive at conclusion from the
character Of the editorial discussions in The
Conservative press of Virginia, the above
platform will be antagonizsd by the part,
they represent, with the simple and fata
proposition Of Race Prejudice the whit
man against the negro.
This involves 3 war upon the labor ele
ment of the state. It strikes at the root o
alrour industries, and foreshadows, if sue
cessful, the utter prosfration Of all our sub
stantial interests. 1t comprehends, also, ba'
faith to our public obligations, reactionar
spirit as applied to the relations we have as
sumed to the national government, and rev
olution in the results which have been accer
ted by the people all over the country, b
popular aud legislative decree.
In discussing these two general lines 6
nublic policy as distinctive of the parties
the approaching State canvass, We hope
demonstrate 10 the impartial reader, who
only seeking to discharge the duties Of goo
citizenship, that the true interests OF Vii
g,nia are compreheuded in the adoption Of tn
views we may indicate. We shall certainl
say nothing and advocate nothing that wi
not conform with our sincere convictions {
duty to Virginia, and which we do not bt
m lieve will be conducive to the prosperity {
the state and the welfare and enlightened
of the people.