The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-09-26
THE WHITE MANS PLATFORM

The Democratic and Conservative citizens oil
Vest Virginia, desiring to mid in preserving
her government and in promoting the best in-
tercsts Of State and country, present TO the
voters of tn. State the following declaration oi
principles and invite their cooperation in Civ
ing them cf!e,t.
LIST. That the Federal Government has no
right TO deny 10 States Of this Union the rrivil-
eye Of equal participation in its affairs, and that
NIL distinction against the representatives OF
States in Congress, and all Federal interference
In the purely domestic concerns Of the States.
Is uuwarrsntcd by the Federal Constitution and
ought 10 cease.
ID. That the present system Of taxation,
raising, as II does, the bulk OF the Federal rev.
cnue from the labor, rather than from the
wealth Of the country, is urjus,
and oppressive, and that this system should lie
90 reformed as 10 relieve the industry Of the
country from its unjust burdens, abolish the
unnecessary and rc1atious features OF stamp,
license and income taxes, dispense with the SER
,ccs 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 hy State and county officers.
81. That the Republican party by voting 10
ra,ify the Fifteenth Amendment 10 the COnsii
tuition, has shameful, violated It's pledges, that
the question Of suffrage should lie retained
within the control Of the people Of the States.
Calling TO political power an alien and inferior
class, i; has declared the white race incapable
Of Scli-governmcnt. In opposition TO this mon.
strous doctrine We invite all intelligent white
men 10 unite with US in asserting the principle
that the white race is the ruling race Of this re-
public.
4th. That The bill 10 enforce the Fifteenth
Amendment lately passed by Congress is cor
rupting 10 public morals in that il offers prcmi-
ums for perjury, subycrsive Of the States in that
II gives Federal authority control of State az
fairs, and destructive Of the pGIce Of the country
in that itinves;s the negroes with exclusive and
peculiar privileges, lifting them TO power and
dignity through the degradation Of the whites
9Th. That we are unnlterablv opposed 10 tie
bill lately introduced into the United States
Senate for enforcing the social equality of the
races, placing negroes upon j rites and abolish
ing all distinctions between races.
9th. That for the advancement Of West Viz
ginia in all her interests and especially 10 secure
good government 10 her l"oplc. We demand
thorough reform in our system Of local offices
and the Creates reduction in the number OF
such offices that may be consistent with the
public interests.
prompt Eullttll ~ AHc III ~ lalall'Cs III
favor Of the State which, through Republican
iuefliciency hay" accumulated III the hands OF
DELINQUENT sheriffs: such faithful management
of the State finances, Us will prevent further de-
fclcncies in tho revenue ind such economy in
appropriation US will secure the administration
Of the Government, al the least cost 10 the tax
payers Of the Sinie.
/ pnbIir 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 con tinucd exclusion Of negroes 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 the benefit Of the
blacks.
Full protection, TO the people, agr.inst the
outrages provided for by the registration law,
md constantly committed by registration otI-
GERS.
The prompt abolition ofevery Test Oath upon
Tue statute books Of the State.
And finally, 10 wipe out The injustiee and the
disgrace incident 10 the Acknowledgement in
our midst " twenty-five thousand men Of our
own race, while negroes exercise the elective
franchise without hinlranrr or condition, We
demand free ballot for white men and the im-
mediate enactment VI such measures u. will Sc
gur-i it.
We invite all good citizens, without disiinc.
lion Ofparty, whether Democrats. Conservatives
or Republicans TO unite wiihus in giving effect
10 The policy here eDunCatcl.