The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-09-19
THE wHITRMAN's PLATFORM

The Democratic and Conservative citizens oil
West Virginia. desiring 10 aid in preserving
her government and in promoting the best in
forests Of State and country, present 10 the
voters Of the State the following declaration Of
principles and invite their corporation in CIV
ing them, effect. is
ist. That the Federal Government has nc
right 70 deny TO States OF this Union the privil.
eye of equal participation in It's affairs, and thu,
all distinction against the representatives oil
Suites in Cengress, and all Federal interference
In the purely domestic concerns Of the States,
Is unwarranted by the Federal Constitution and
oughtto 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
and oppressive and that this system should be
80 reformed as 10 relieve the industry Of the
country from its unjust burdens, abolish the
unnecessary and rexaiious features Of stamp,
license and income taxes, dispense with the SER
vices oil 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
81. That the Republican party by voting to
ratify the Fifteenth Amendment to the Cons;i
tuition, has shamefully violated its pledges, that
the question OF suffrage should he 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 selEgoyernment. In opposition TO this NON
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. llt
4th. That the bill 10 enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed by Congress is cor
rupting 10 public morals in that it offers prcni-
ums for perjury, subversive OF the States in that
!. gives Federal authority control of State az
fairs, and destructive of the peace Of the country
in that itinvesis the negroes with exclusive and
paculia, privileges, lifting them to power aud
dignity through the degradation OF the whites
9Th. That We are uualtcrably opposed to tho
bill lately introduced into the United States
Senate for enforcing the social equality of the
races, placing negroes upon ipries and abolish
ing all distinctions between I races.
9th. That for the advancement OF West vir-
ginia 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 Of
such offices that may be consistent with the
public interests.
Prompt collection OF the large balances ~
favor Of the State, which, through Republican
iuefiiciency have accumulated in the hands or
delinquent shctiffs; such faithful management
OF the State finances, US will prevent farther de-
hciencies in the revenue and such economy in
appropriation aswifl secure the administration
OF the Government, NJ the least cost 10 the tax
payers Of the State.
A pubic policy that win 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 ofnegrots from the
public schools, ATTENDED by white children. In
opposition TO the Radical policy OF mingling the
races In these Institutions, and Of destroying
our educational system, for tie benefit OF the
blacks.
Full protection, 10 the people, against the
outrages provided for by the registration law,
and constantly committed by registration OIL
GERS.
The prcnp, abolition ofevery Test Oath upon
the statute books Of the State.
And finally, 10 wipe out the injustice and the
disgrace incident 10 the Acknowledgement in
our mids, Of twenty-five thousand men Of our
own race, while negroes exercise the elective
franchise withou, hindranec or condition, We
demand u free ballot for white men and the iui-
mediate enactment Of such measures Us will Sc
cure II.
We invite all good citizens, without diStinc
ton ofparty, whether Democrats, Conservatives
or Republicans, TO unite wiillus in giving effect
to the policy here epHnCiaied. q