The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-10-03
THE WHITEMAN'S 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 the State the following declaration OF
principles aud invite their co-operation in Civ
Ing them effect. i.g3.ug
LIST. That the Federal Government has no
right to deny to States Of this Union the privil-
ege of equal participation in its affairs and that
all distinction against the representatives on
States in Congress, and all Federal interference
in the purely domestic concerns Of the States,
Is unwarrantcd BY the Federal Constitution and
ought 10 cease.
"a. That the present system Of taxation,
raising, as it does, tue bulk of the Federal rev.
cnue from the labor, rather than from the
wealth Of the country, lis unjust
and oppressive, and that this system should be
60 reformed Us 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 and county officers.
Sd. That the Republican party by voting to
ratify the Fifteenth Amendment 10 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 an alien and inferior
class, II has declared the white race incapable
Of self-government. In opposition 10 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.
4th. That the bill to enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed by Congress ia cor
rupting 10 public morals in that it offers prcmi-
ums for perjury, subversive of the States in that
it gives Federal authority control of State al
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 VIC are unaterably opposed TO the
bin lately introduced into the United States
Senate for enforcing the social equality OF the
races placing negroes upon iuries and abolish
ing all distinctions between e races.
9th. That for the advancement OF West Viz
ginia in all erintcrests 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 OF
such offices that may be consistent with the
public interests.
Prompt collection Of the large balances in
favor of the.Smte, which, through Republican
iueticcncy have accumulated in the hands Of
delinquent sherifs; such faithful management
of the State finances, as will prevent farther de-
ficrencies 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.
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 elements Of growth and greatness
from our midst.
The continued exclusion ofnegrocs from the
public schools, attended by white children. In
opposition to the Radical policyof mingling the
races in these institutions, and Of destroying
our educational system, for the benefit Of the
blacks.
Full protection, 10 the people, against the
outrages provided for by the registration law,
md constantly committed by registration Off
GERS.
The prompt abolition ofevery Test Oath upon
the Statute books Of the State.
And finally, 10 wipe out the injustice and the
disgrace incident 10 the disfranchisemeCt in
our midst Of twenty-five thousand men Of our
own race, while negroes exercise the elective
franchise without hindrance or condition, we
demand n free ballot for white men and the i'm
mediate enactment Of such measures Us will Sc
cure ii.
We invite oil good citizens, without distinc.
ton ofparty, whether Democrats, Conservatives
or Republicans, to unite titus in giving effect
TO the policy here eDunciattt.