The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-07-04
THE WHITE MANS PLATFORM

The Democratic and Conservative citizens o
West Virginia, dcsiting to aid in preserving
her government and in promoting the best In
,crcsts Of State and country, present to tn
voters Of tbs State the following declaration 0
principles and invite their cooperation in Civ
Ing them effect. -
lst. That tho Federal Government has nc
right to deny to States Of this Union the privil
tge Of equal participation in It's affairs, aud thu
nll distinction against the representatives o.
States in Congress, and all Federal interference
lin the purely domestic concerns Of the States,
IL unwarranted by the Federal Constitution and
ought 10 cease. ~ t.e
Z ID. 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 TINT this system should be
30 reformed as to relieve the industry of the
country from its unjust burdens, abolish the
unnecessary and vexatious 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 aud county officers.
81. 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 10 political power ap alien and inferior
Of selfgorernment. In opposition 10 this mon.
s!,ous doctrine we invite all intelligent white
men 10 unite with US In asserting tho principle
that tie white race is the ruling race Of this re-
publir.t
4th. That the bill 10 enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed BY Congress is cor
rupting 10 public morals In that II offers premi-
ums for perjury, subversivc Of the States in that
It gives Federal authority control of State af-
fairs, and destructive of the peace Of the country
In that itinvests the negroes with exclusive and
peculiar privileges, lifting them TO power and
dignity through the degradation of the whites
9th. That we are unalterably opposed 10 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 between te races.
9th. That for the advancement. Of West Vir-
gnia In all her interests and especially 10 secure
good government 10 her people, we demand
thorough reform in our system Of local Offices
and the greatest reduction in the number oil
such Offices that may be consistent with the
public interests.
Prompt collection Of the large balances in
favor of the State, which, through Republican
iuefiiciency have accumulated in the hands Of
delinquent sheriffs; such faithful management
Of the State finances, ms will prevent farther de-
fciencies 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. . ma
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. yse
The continued exclusion Of negroes from the
public schools, attended by white children. In
opposition TO the Radical policy Of minglirg the
races In these Institutions, and Of destroying
our educational system, for the beaeft OF the
blacks.
Full protection, 10 the people, against the
outragcs provided for by the registration law,
and constantly committed by registration Off
GERS.
The prompt abolition ofcvery Test Oath upon
/. the statute looks of the State.
And finally, 10 wipe out the injustice and the
disgrace incident 10 the disfranchsement IN
our midst Of twenty-five thousand men Of our
own race, while negroes exercise the elective
franchise without hindrance or condition, we
demand free ballot for white men and the Inn
mediate enactment Of such measures as will Sc
cureit. ur alag.
We invite all good citizens, without dlstlnc-
,ion fparty, whether Democrats, Conservatives
or Republicans, to unite with us In giving effect
10 tie policy here enunciated. r4.l y.