The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-08-11
Virginia Conservative Democrats.

RIcHaoSD, Va, August 4-The ConserT-
alive Democratic State Convention was
called L. order at noon. J. \. Stubs ol
Glouceseier Temporary chairman A recess
was taken 20 allow the district delegations
- select three member for each II the to-
lowing committees Credentials. Perma-
nent organization, and resoiution-,:
After BALI hours recess the several dele
gates reported and committee were formed.
There was then another recess On reas-
sembling the committee on permanent or
ganization made report, and Ihos. y Bo-
cock was made President. In the course OF
his address Bocock said: five prove our
selves wise and prudent now and nergetIe
and brave in the coming canvass, will say
without claiming the spirit or wearing the
garb of prophet, That IN the ides OF No
vember We will achieve victory which In
its thoroughness and completeness will only
be surpassed bv the magnificence and bril-
liancy Of its results; which beginning at
the election and continuing on through long
years, will mark the history of our State
with bright line of glory which viii stand
as a monument to our prudence and grand
eur and the Importance of our cause.
Recess till s O'Clock.
AT the evening session the committee
On platform mand the following report:
THE PLATFORM.
Conservative Democratic party of Vir-
ginia, Democratic in its federal relations
and Conservative in Its State policy, assem-
bled in Convention in view of the present
condition of the Union and of this common
wealth, for clear and distinct assertion of its
political principles, doth delare that We
adopt the following articles of political
faith:
First-Equality of right and exact jus
- oil oI
freedom of religion, freedom OF the press,
and freedom of person, under protection OF
the habeas corpus; OF trial by juries, I'M
partially selected and of pure, upright
and non-partizan judiciary; election by the
people, free from force or fraud Of citizens or
of the military and civil officers of the gov
eminent; and the selection for public offices
of those who are honest and best fitted to
fill them; the support OF State Governments
in all their rights as the most competent
administrators over domestic concerns and
the surest bulwarks against the anti-Re-
publican tendencies, and preservation of the
General Government III lis whole constltu-
tional vigor the sheet anchor, our peace
at home and our safety abroad.
Second-That the maintenance of the
public credit of Virginia is an essential
means to the promotion of her prosperity.
We condemn population in every shape
at her permanent welfare, and an obstacle to
her progress in wealth, influence and power,
and that we will make every effort to secure
the settlement of the public debt with the
consent of her creditors which is consistent
with her honor and dictated by justice and
sound public policy that it is eminently
desirable and proper that the several
classes of debt now existing should be
unified so that equality which is equity,
may control in the annual payment of
interest and ultimate redemption of
the principals that with view of Sc
curing such equality, we pledge our
party to use all lawful authority to secure
a settlement of the State debt, so there
shall be but one class of public debt; that
we will use all lawful and constitutional
means in our power to secure a settlement
upon the basis of three per cent. bond,
and that the Conservative Democratic party
pledges itself part OF its policy not to
Increase the present rate of taxation.
Thrd-That we will uphold in its full
constitutional integrity and efficiency our
public school system for the education of
both white and colored children, a system
inaugurated by the Constitution of the
State and established by the action of the
Conservative party years before it was re-
quired by the Constitution, and will take
the most effectual means for the faithful
execution OF the same by applying TO Its
support all revenues set apart for that OBJ
iect by the Constitution, or otherwise.
Fourth-Upon this declaration of princi
piles we cordially invite the cooperation of
all Conservative Democrats, whatever may
have been or are now their views upon the
public debt in the election of the nominee
of this Convention and in the maintenance
of the supremacy of the Democratic party
in this state,
Resolred That any iutimation coming
from any quarter that the Conservative
Democratic party of Virginia has been, is
now, or proposes to be opposed to an honest
ballot and a fair count is a calumny upon
the State of Virginia, as unfounded in fact
as it is dishonorable to its authors that
special efforts will be made to foster and
encourage the agricultural, mechanical,
mining manufacturing and other industrial
interests or the state
The report was received with applause
and unanimously adopted.