The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-10-10
THE WHITE MANS PLATFORM

The Democratic and Conservative citizens o
West Virginia. desiring 10 aid in preserving
her government and in promoting the best in
;sresis Of State and country, present 10 th'
voters OF the State the following declaration 0
principles and invite their cooperation in civ
lag them effect .-r..E --c. "..' "a.
lst. That the Federal Government has nj
right to deny TO States Of this Union the privi
eye Of equal participation in its affairs, and tina
al distinction against the representatives o
States in Congress, and all Federal interference,
In the purely domestic concerns of the States
u unwarranted BY the Fcdera! Constitution and
ought to cease. -.l.r.a'
I'd. That the present system of taxation,
raising, as il does, the bulk Of the Federal rev.
snue from the labor, rather than from the
wealth OF the country, is unjust
and oppressive, and that this system should be
SO reformed Us to relieve the industry Of the
country from its unjust burdens, abolish the
unnecessary and vexa,ious 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
mtify 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 an alien and inferior
class, il has declared the white race incapable
of selfgoyernment. 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. .....
4,h. That the bill to enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed by Congress is cor
rupting 10 public morals in that il Offers premi-
ums for perjury, subversiye Of the States in that
It gives Federal authority control of State az
fairs, and destructive of the peace Of the country
In that hinyests the negroes with exclusive and
peculiarprivileges, 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 t. e races.
9th That for the advancement. Of West Yir-
ginia in all her terests 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 State, which, through Republican
Iueficiency have accumulated in the hands Of
delinquent sheiifFs; such faithful management
Of the State finances, as willprevent farther dc.
fc'encies in the revenue md such economy IL
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 o
the measures of the dominant party, that haY'
driven these elements Of growth and greatness
from our midst.
The continued exclusion Of negroes from thu
public schools, attended by white children. IL
opposition TO the Radical policy OF mingling thu
raGes in these institutions, and Of destroying
our educational system, for the benefit Of thu
blacks.
Full protection, to tho people, against the
outrages provided for by the registration law,
aui constantly committed by registration oti'
ssrf.
The prompt abolition ofevery fcs, Oath upon
the statute books Of the State.
AND finally, to wipe Out the injustice and the
disgrace incident 10 the Acknowledgement In
our midst OF twenty-five thousand men Of OUT
own race, while negroes exercise the elective
franchise without hindrance or condition, we
demand a free ballot for white men and the i'm
mediate enactment Of such measures as will Sc
sure II.
We invite all good citizens, without distinc.
ton party, whether Democrats Conservatives
or Republicans, TO unite witt, us in giving effect
10 the policy here eDunciated.