Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-09

now neither short nor uneventful, that
In the long run great results are not to
be accomplished by corrupt means, not
by tricks nor articles, not by unnatural
alliances nor corrupt coalitions. Noble
ends must be attained by noble means
and II we prove ourselves wise and pru-
dent now, and energetic and brave in
the coming canvass, will say, without
claiming the spirit or wearing the garb
of prophet, that on the ides Of NOvem-
Der we will achieve q victory which in
thoroughness and completeness will only
be surpassed by the magnifcence and
br1lllancy of its Iesults-results which,
beginning at the election and continu-
ing on through long years. will mark
the history of our State with a bright
line Of glory which neither time nor
change, neither adversely nor prOsperi-
ty, will ever eradicate, but which will
stand as q monument to our prudence
and to the grandeur and Importance of
our cause.
PLATFORM BEFORE NOMINATION..
There was here considerable discus
sion whether or not the Convention
should proceed to the adoption of plat
form or 60 into nominations.
A large majority voted to adopt a plat
form first, Mr.. M. Jones, of Gloucester,
remarking that 1t is very easy to put
candidate on q platform, but very diff
cult to put q platform on member.
The Convention then adjourned till
o'clock.
NIGHT SESSION.
The Convention reaszembled prompt
ly at o'clock.
Mr.. Cardwell, of Hanover, moved
that the report of the Committee on
Credentials be taken up and adopted.
Carried.
The next business was the report of
the Committee on Platform, but the
chairman announced that they desired
more time to put 1t in shape.
Whilst waiting for the committee to
perfect their report, in response to calls,
interesting speeches were made by Hon.
John T. Harris and Hon. J. Randolph
Tucker.
Then Gen. VIM. B. Taliaferro, of
Gloucester, chairman of the committee
said -
"Mr. President and gentlemen of the
Convention, on behalf of the Committee
on Platform, consisting of twenty seven
members chosen from every part Of the
Commonwealth, I have been Instructed,
without a dissenting voice, to report for
your consideration the platform about
to be submitted as the product Of their
best judgment. I believe you will find
to condemn. have given the paper to
the secretary, and now ask him to read
1t for your approval or rejection"
THE PLATFORM.
Secretary Bigger proceeded to read the
platform as follows, only interrupted by
frequent applause =
The Conservative-D Democratic party
Of Virginia-Democratlc in its Federal
relations and Conservative in its State
policy-assembled in Convention, in
view of the present condition of the
Union and of this Commonwealth, for
the clear and distinct assertion of its POI
litical principles doth declare that we
adopt the following articles of political
faith =
LIST. Equality of right and exact justice
to all men, special privileges to none ;
freedom of religion, freedom ofthe press,
and freedom of the person under the
protection of the hdbeds corpus; of trial
by juries impartially selected, and of a
pure, upright, and non-partisan Judicial
ry; elections by the people, free from
force or fraud of citizens, or of the mill
tary and civil officers of Government ;
and the selection for public offices OF
those who are honest and best fitted to
fill them; the support of the State gov.
ernments in all their rights az the most
competent administrations of our do
nestle concerns and the surest bulwarks
against anti-republican tendencies; and
the preservation Of the General Govern
ment in its whole constitutional vigor
as the sheet anchor of our peace ct home
and our safety abroad.
| 2. That the maintenance of the public
credit of Virginia is an essential means
to the promotion of her prosperity. We
condemn reputation in every shape
and form as q blot upon her honor, q
blow at her permanent welfare, and an
obstacle to her progress in wealth, infiu
ence, and power; and that we will make
every effort to secure settlement of the
public debt, with the consent of hel
creditors, which is consistent with he1
honor and dictated by justice and sound
public pulley that it is eminently deal
rable and proper that the several classes
of the debt now existing should be uni
fed, 30 that equality, which is equity,
may control in the annual payment 81
interest and the ultimate redemption Of
principal; that with view of se-
curing such equality we pledge our par
ty to use all lawful authority to secure q
settlement of the State debt so that there
shall be but one class of the public debt
that we will use all lawful and constitu'
tional means in our power to secure 9
settlement of the State debt upon the
basis of per cent. bond, and that the
Conservative Democratic party pledges
itself, as part of it's policy, not to in
crease the present rate of taxation.
8. That we will uphold, in its full con-
stitutiOnal integrity and efficiency, ouI
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 required by the Constitution and
4 will take the most effectual means fol
the faithful execution of the same by ap-
plying to its support all the revenues sci
apart for that object by the Constitution
or otherwise.
4. Upon this declaration of principles
we cordially invite the cooperation Of
all Conservative Democrats, whatever
may have been or now are their views
upon the public debt. in the election Of
the nominees of this Convention and in
the maintenance of the supremacy Of
the Democratic party in this State.
Resotved, further, That any intima-
ton, coming from any quarter, that the
Conservative Democratic party of Vir-
ginia has been. is now, or proposed to
be opposed to an honest ballot and a fas'
count is a calumny upon the State Of
Virginia as unfounded in fact as 1t Ii
dishonorable to its authors.
ResoLved, atspecial efforts be made
to foster and encourage the agricultural,
mechanical, mining, manufacturing
and other industrial interests of the
State.
SYMPATHY WITH THE WOUNDED PREsI.
i DENT.
General Taliaferro: II am authorized
to offer the following resolution, which
1 doubt not will meet with the unanim.
GUS favor of this Convention"
The secretary read the resolution. a.
follows:T
Resolved By this Convention, That in
Ecommon with all good citizens of the
Union, we reflect with deep abhOrrence
upon the crime of the man who aimed
q blow at the life of the eminent citizen