The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-06-27
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 til. State the following declaration Of
principles and invite their cooperation in CIV
ing them effect. r.
ist. That the Federal Government has no
right 10 deny to States of this Union the privil-
ego Of equal participation in its 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.
I'd. That the present system of taxation,
raising, as II does, the bulk Of the Federal rev.
enue from the labor, rather than from the
wealth of the country, is unjust
and oppressive, and that this system should be
go reformed as to relieve the industry Of tho
country from its unjust burdens, abolish the
unnecessary and yexatious features Of stamp,
license and income taxes, dispense with the ser
vices Of Federal spies, that pry into the private
busincss 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 10
ratify the Fifteenth Amendment to the Consti
tuition, has shamcfully violated its pledges, that
the question of suffrage should be retained
within the control of the people of the States.
Calling TO political power IN alien and inferior
class, il has declared the white race incapable
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.
4th. That tho bill 10 enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed by Congress 10 cor
ruptins 10 public morals'in that il offers premi-
ums for perjury, subvcrsve Of the States in that
it gives Federal authority control of State ai-
fairs, and destructive of the peace of tue country
in that invests the negroes with exclusive and
peculiar privileges, lifting tliem TO power and
dignity through the degradation Of the whites
9Th. That We IRE unaltcrably opposed TO the
bill lately introduced into the United States
Senate for enforcing the social equality Of tue
races, placing negroes upon juries and abolish
ing all distinctions between races.
9th. That for the advancement. of West Vir-
GINA IN all her interests and especially to secure
good government 10 her people, we demand
thorough reform in our system Of local Offices
and the greatest reduction in the number o!
such Offices that may be consistent with the
public interests.
Prompt collection of the large balances in
favor Of the State, which, through Republican
incflicicncy have accumulated in the hands Of
delinquent sherifrs; such faithful management
of the State finances, as will prevent further de-
fcencies in the revenue md such economy in
appropriation as will secure the administration
Of the Government, at the least cost 10 the tax
payers Of the State.
a public policy that will invite immigration,
capital and enterprise into our State, in lieu Of
the measures Of the dominant party, that hare
driven these elements Of growth and greatness
from our midst.
Tie continued exclusion of negroes from the
public schools, attended by white children. In
opposition to the Radical policy Of mingling tic
races in these institutions, and of destroying
our educational system, for the beaeft OF the
blacks.
Full protection, to the people, against the
outrages provided for by the registration law,
and constantly committed by registration OIL
GERS.
The prompt abolition ofevcry Test Oatli upon
the statute books Of the State.
And finally, to wipe out the injustice md the
disgrace incident 10 the disfranchscment in
our ,uidst Of twenty-five thousand men Of our
own race, willie negroes exercise the elective
franchise without hindrancc or condition, we
demand a free bai,nt for white men and the i'm
mediate enactment of such measures rs will Sc
cure II.
We invite nll good citizens, without distinc.
ton Of party, whether Democrats, Conservatives
or Republicans, TO unite withus III giving eliect
10 the policy here enumerated.