From the Richmond Daily State Journal, 8/5/1871, p. 1, c. 3

[COMMUNICATED.]

Political Responsibility.

The political campaign will soon open, and it becomes the duty of all intelligent citizens to examine, dispassionately and unselfishly, the platform or principles of the two opposing parties; then to labor for that party which commands their respect. How is this labor to be performed? The duties are various, and each day will develop them.

The broad platform of Republicanism, as we understand it, is part of our religion; for it is noble and godlike.

To accord to others equal political and judicial rights need cause no fear in any true man. The question of social equality has nothing to do with this; that will ever regulate itself.

If you are a Republican it is your duty to set an example of uprightness and integrity, acting out your principles. One upright, honest and incorruptible does more to forward, to commend his party than anything else. If an office holder, this is doubly becoming, because every office holder is the representative of an administration, which desires integrity every where. Let us have no tricky and selfish combinations and arrangements; there can be union, and union will give us strength. – The true Republican is as the Christian, careful to give no cause of offence, but jealous and watchful for the rights and privileges of others, will look for the poor and humble, suffering for their principles, because it is a well known fact that, for being Republicans, many suffer; will visit the prisons, and see how many are lying in them for political opinions, and being of a helpless color. It is easy to send a negro to the gallows or to the penitentiary. Does not your conscience, reader, solemnly assent to this?

The Republican will commend himself for his Spartan love of justice – for his fearless showing that his fellow-man is his brother. “I know not what record for sin awaits me in another world, but I know that I have never despised a man because he was poor, or ignorant, or black,” were the noble words of a patriot who has gone to his rest. The Republican will be firm in everything involving principle, but ever courteous and considerate. Misrepresentation and hate may bring temporary success, but can never bring good to any party or to any person.

Desiring the welfare of his fellow-citizens, the progress of this great country, he cannot descend to selfish personalities unless there is a need be – then he can and will be fearless for truth.

Let us show what a noble type of man a Republican should be.
                                                                                                                                               E. L. VAN LEW.

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