The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-07-11
THE WHITE MANS PLATFORM

The Democratic and Conservative citizens OF
West Virginia. desiring to aid in preserving
her government and in promoting the best in
terests OF State and country, present 10 the
voters Of the State the following declaration of
principles and invite their cooperation in Civ
Ing them effect.
list. That tho Federal Government has no
right to deny to States Of this Union the priyil.
eye Of equal participation in its affairs, and that
all distinction against the representatives OF
States in Congress, and all Federal interference
in the purely domestic concerns Of the States,
is unwarranted by the Federal Constitution and
ought to cease.
I'd. That the present system Of taxation,
raising, as II docs. the bulk Of the Federal rev
snue from the labor, rather than from the
and oppressive, and that this system should be
SO reformed as 10 relieve the industry Of the
country from its unjust burdens, abolish the
unnecessary and ye1atious features Of stamp,
license and income taxes, dispense with the SER
vices OF Federal spies, that pry into the private
business of the people, eating out their sub
stance, and provide for the collection of the
Federal revenue by State and county officers.
81. That the Republican party by voting to
ratify the Fifteenth Amendment TO the Consti
tuition, has shamefuly violated It's pledges, that
the question of suffrage should be retained
within the control Of the people Of the States.
Calling 10 political power IN alien and inferior
class, II has declared the white race incapable
of self-goyernment In opposition 10 this mon.
strous doctrine we invite all intelligent white
men to unite with US in asscrting the principle
that the white race is the ruling race Of this re-
public 80 ".
4th. That the bill 10 enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed by Congress is cor
rupting 10 public morals in that il offers prcmi-
urns for perjury, subversive Of the States In that
II gives Federal authority control OF State ai-
fairs, and destructive Of the peace Of 1.-The country
10 that itinvcsts the negroeswith exclusive and
peculiar privileges, lifting them TO power and
dignity through the degradation Of the whites
9th. That we are unaltcrably opposed to the
bill lately introduced into the United States
Senate for enforcing the social equality Of the
races, placing negroes upon juries and abolish
ing all distinctions bctween't.e races. - ~
9Th. That for the advancement. Of West Vir-
gina in all hcr interests and especially TO secure
: good government to her people, We demand
thorough reform in our system Of local Offices
aud tho greatest reduction In the number Of
such Offices that may be consistent with the
public interests. g
Prompt collection Of tic large balances in
favor of the State, which, through Republican
ineficicncy have accumulated in the hands OF
delinquent sherills such faithful management
of the State finances, as will. prevent farther de-
fic,encics Ia the revenue IND such economy in
appropriation as will secure the administration
OF the Government, at the least cost 10 The tax
payers of the State.
public policy that will invite immigration,
capital and enterprise into our State, in lieu Of
the measures Of the dominant party, that have
driven these elements Of growth and greatness
from our midst.
The continued exclusion Of negroes from the
public schools, attended by white children. In
opposition 10 the Radical policy Of mingling the
races in these institutions, and Of destroying
our educational system, for the benefit Of the
blacks.
Full 10 ne people agnjp.t the
outragcs provided for by the registration law,
and constantly committed by registration off,
GERS. 1885,
The prompt abolition ofcvery Test Oath upon
the statute books OF the State.
And finally, to wipe out the injustice md the
disgrace incident 10 the disfrancliscment In
our midst Of twenty-five Thousand men of our
own race, while negroes exercise the elective
franchise without hindrancc or condition, we
demand free ballot for white men and the i'm
mediate enactment Of such measures as will Sc
cure II. saaH ,
We invite all good citizens, without distinc.
ton Of party, whether Democrats, Conservatives
or Republicans, TO unite with us in giving effect
to the policy here enunciated.