The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-08-01
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 to the
voters of tho State the following declaration Of
principles and invite their cooperation in Civ
Ing them effect. ..si r.. ...-.
list. That tho Federal Government has no
right to deny to States Of this Union the privil-
ego of equal participation in It's affairs, and that
oil 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. 1l1ut vi
I'd. That the present system Of taxation,
raising, as It does, the bulk Of the Federal rev.
enue from the labor, rather than from the
wealth Of the country, is unjust
aAd!opprcssiye, and that this system should be
90 reformed rs TO relieve the industry of the
country from It's unjust burdens, abolish the
unnecessary and veIatious 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.
Sd. That the Republican party by voting TO
ratify the Fifteenth Amendment to the Consti-
tuition, has shamefully violated its pledges, that
the question Of suffrage should be retained
within the control Of the people Of the States.
Calling to political power an alien and inferior
class, Il has declared the white race incapable
of self.governmcnt. In opposition TO this mon.
strous doctrine we invite all intelligent white
men to unite with us in asserting the principle
that the white race is the ruling race Of this re-
public.
4tl. That tho bill 10 enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed by Congress i, cor
rup,ing 10 public morals 10 that IL offers prcmi-
um, for perjury, subyersive Of the States in that
It gives Federal authority control o { State az
fairs, and destructive of the peace Of the country
In that itinvests the negroes with exclusive and
peculiar privileges, lifting them 10 power and
dignity through the degradation Of the whites
9Th. That VIC arc unalterably opposed 10 the
bill lately introduced into tho United States
Eenate for enforcing the social equality Of the
races, placing negroes upon juries and abolish
Ing all distinctions between tie races.
9Th. That for the advancement: OF West Vir-
giia in all her interests and especially to secure
good government TO her people, VIC demand
thorough reform in our system Of local Offices
and the greatest reduction in the number OF
such offices that may be consistent with the
public interests.
Prompt collection OF the largo balances In
favor OF the State, which, through Republican
ine1iciency have accumulated in the hands Of
delinquent sleritIs; such faithful management
Of the State finances, as will prevent farther de-
hc,cncies In tho revenue 1nd such economy In
appropriation rs will secure the administration
OF the Government, at tho least cost to the tax
payers Of the State. .y......a..-.
4 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 dement's Of growth and greatness
from our midst. i
The continued exclusion ofncgrots 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. .-l a
Full protection, 10 tho people, against the
outragcs provided for by the registration law,
and constantly committed by registration Off
GERS.
The prompt abolition ofcvcry Test Oath upon
the statute books Of the State.
And finally, 10 wipe out the injustice and the
disgrace incident 10 the Acknowledgement in
our midst Of twenty-five thousand men Of our
own race, while negroes exercise the elective
franchise without hindrancc or condition, We
demand FREQ ballot for white men and the i'm
mediate enactment of such measures as will Sc
cure II.
We invite all good citizens, without distinc.
ton ofparty, whether Democrats, Conservatives
Or Republicans, 10 unite with US in giving effect
10 the policy here euunciated.