The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-06-15
The Cincinnati Convention.

Before this number of the VIRGINIAN shall
have reached many of its numerous readers,
the Cincinnati Convention, which met yester-
day, the 18th, will doubtless have named the
next President and Vice President of the Uni
ted States. We are as confident that the peo-
pie of this country will re-artrm their devotion
to the principles Of that party and the admins
trative policy that has distinguished the gov
ernment in tie past ten years. in November
next, as we are that we are writing these lines.
Who the stantar,l-bearer will be, it is out of
our power now to indicate. But we may safe
ly assume TINT they will be representative men,
of the broad ideas of human freedom and hui
man progress, and national integrity which
have distinguished the history of the Republi-
can party-ideas which recognize the develop
ment and growth of the ntellections and NOR
al attributes of the human race, AS essential to
the realization Of the grand destiny of this
country under the direction and operation of
Republican Institutions.
We arc not only entering upon new epoch
In the progress of the nation. that rounds the
Centennial of its existence, but we have open
ing up to lis a new application and broader
understanding of the great principles which
the Declaration of Independence prociaims.-
The education of two centuries has given way
before the Hight Of new dispensation-the
despotism of prejudice and east has been dissi
pated by an advanced civilizstien-a free and
nnchalenged freedom has broken tie letters
of body and mind, and the beacon light of
Liberty, regulated by law, invites the aspira-
tions and energies of all to higher attachments
in the domain of human progress.
The American people would be false to the
spirit of Republican Institutions-falsc to the
obligations that are higher than parchment
edicts, were they to take retrograde step in
the great work Of mans intellectual and moral
development, by an endorsement OF the OBJ
structive policy of the Democratic party. SlcIl
ings of the popular. heart-violate the very ge-
MUS of our system of government. and is no
more probable than that the people of this
country have lost faith in the vital fundamen-
tai principles, which divide us from the restIie-
tive and circnmscrlbed liberties which distia-
old world.
The Rights of the People and the Honor of
the Nation are to he the two great thoughts
that will distinguish the Presidential contest OF
1876. and the patriotism that will be coneen
trated in Cincinnati will see to it that men full
ly identified in spirit and word, with these
idess are presented for the endorsement of the
people.
Colfiding in the wisdom of the Convention
and believing that the popular demand for ell
evated craftsmanship and unsupported honor
will be recognized in the determination of its
deliberations, we entertain no other thought
than that the nominees will be overwhelming
endorsed at the balot-box in November next
1t is to lis, personally, matter of indiffer-
encc who may be chosen, so that their political
convictions are in harmony with the events
and settled facts of history. Earnest men who
know the right and dare maintain it-who will
enforce the laws III the protection and yindica-
ton OF the rights of the humblest citizen. and
who will scrupuloIsly observe national obliga-
tions and faith, ill everything pertaining to
government, will command tile support of tile
national sentiment of the ntry, and be ell
trusted with the direction Of the important in
terests of the nation for four years succeeding
March 1877.