Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-06-21
THE CHARLESTON PLATFORM.

There is great deal in name, politically
considered, whatever may be the case in
reference to less important affairs. We thought,
before the Convention at Charleston assem-
bled, and still think, that the very widest
scope should be given to the organization now
forming to drive Radicalism out of the seats
Of. power so long abused. For that reason, if
we had been in the Convention We should
have moved to amend the preamble by insert
ing the words "the Conservative Democratic
party" in place of the words now used-"the
Democratic and Conservative citizens of West
Virginia" We should desire some name to
express solid organization, neither sectional
in its aims, nor provincial in its affiliations,
but representing an integral branch of party
over the whole republic, organized for the
purpose, and desperately bent upon putting
down the Radical faction. Such u great
national organization is now tho necessity of
the hour, and the various States should act in
concert. 1t will not do to act upon one theory
Of public policy in the Southern, and a diff
ferent one in the Northern States. The
policy must be uniform. That the Fifteenth
Amendment is not legtimately part of the
Constitution of the United States, we think
the party everywhere may concur in decar-
ing. But how is the question to be'tested
The platform before us is silent on this SUBJ
ject, and perhaps wisely, for the reasons al
ready stated. So in regard to the odiOus law
passed to enforce this amendment, there
should be some national and concerted action
in regard to meeting it. For ourselves, we
have already in advance taken our position
that the Amendment should be acquiesced in
until declared no part of the Constitution by
the proper legal tribunals.
The platform is sufficiently emphatic in its
denunciaton of Summers Social Equality bill,
and the mingling of races in the public
schools. We do not deny that the State owes
an education to all children unable to be
privately educated, and this without regard to
color or race. This very fact renders it the
more necessary to keep the public schools
separate, otherwise the State must not only
countenancc, but coerce amaIgamation. If
the public schools are for White and Black in
common, it follows that the State must coercc
an indiscriminatc minsling of the races at an
age when reason is in allegiance, and sensibility,
susceptibility, and passion are in the ascen-
dant. Amalgamaton, under this system, be-
comes inevitable. Not voluntary, but coerced
amagamaton. The wealthy may in some
degree protect themselves by. sending to pri-
vate schools. But the poor must yield the
question of their unmixed White blood. We
have brought home to, us, therefore, in this
school subject, the question whether amalga-
nation is an evil to be deprecated? All who
support the Radical ticket vote in favor of
Amalgamation.
The positions of the platform, in regard to
cqualizing the burdens Of taxation between
labor and capital, enlranchising those pro-
scrioed for their political opinions, and for
ever abolishug all test oaths, as relics of former
barbarism, must, we think, commend tbem~
selves to all true patriots in the State. The
Radical party cannot cvade or escape the issues
here presented, and are destined, we believe,
to overwhelming defeat. We admire the
spirit of libelality and harmony pervadiug the
proceedings of the Convention, and cordially
commend the nominations to public conf
dence.