Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-10-25
CITY & NEWS ITEMS |
MONDAY MORNING, OCT. 25, 1855.

to adopt an entire new Constitution and Plat
form. At large and respectable meeting of
the working men, held at the old COErt House,
on the evening of Oct 2lst-, Erastus Smith
was called to the chair and A Henshaw sp-
pointed Secretary Mr. Henshaw being Chair
man of the Committee to draft Constitution and
Platform read the following:
PLATFORM
Of the Working Mems Association, adopted at
e meeting Of the same, held in the old Court
House in the City Of Cleveland, Oct 2Ist.
1883
WHEKEas, the Declaration Of Independence
proclaims self-evijent truths, that all men
are created equal; that they are endowed
BY their Creator with certain inherent and in
alienable rights; that among these are life, lib
erty aud the pursuit Of happiness; that TO Sc
cure these rights, Governments are instituted
among men, deriving their Just powers from
the consent of the governed; that whenever any
form Of government becomes destructive Of
these ends, IL is the right Of the people to alter
or to abolish it, and TO institute new govern
ments, laying its foundation on such princi-
pies and organizing Its powers in such form as
70 them shall seem most likely 10 effect their
safety and happiness and,
WHEREAS, the scientific, technical CONNER
cial and industrial progress Of mankind in all
its developing features, since the authors OF this
declaration, has produced on one side, minor
ity which possesses everything, and on the
other side, an immense majority which
possesses nothing, living from hand to mouth,
and seeing themselves without any posi-
tive prospect of ever attaining material Inde-
Pendeney, thus conducting sooner or later TO
| terrible catastrophe between rich aud poor ; and,
WHEREAS, labor under the present social or
der will always depend on the fluctuations of
an artificial law of demand and supply, and the
working man, instead Of receiving and eljoying
the whole fruit of his labor, viii always be a
victim of the ascendency of capital, and be re-
duced to a minimum of wages, bcgetting disas-
tTOus competition amongst working men them
selves, whiehis almost equal to lawful murder /;
and
WHEREAS, all platforms Of the different pO-
litical parties hitherto have proved insufficient
and elusive for the immediate or even gradual
emancipation and improvement Of the social
condition of working men, aud the poor at
large, therefore leaving the constitutions of the
country such that on the outbreak of any
crisis or calamity, millions of hands are thrown
out of work, and are saved from starvation BY
charity, and aims, both of which are insulting
to humanity; and
WHEREAS, By experience for the last thirty
tariff or free trade, has radically contributed to
the welfare of the working men, but that in the
end it has always turned in favor of the capi-
talist; and,
WHERE'S, there is a llmentable want of in
telligence among the working men, aud that in
spite of the general suffrage they will remain
the tools of professional politicians, and SO long
as they do not consider their own interest, and
take the political power in their own hands by
forming association, selecting their own candI-
s dates, establishing their own laws, founding
their own credit institutions and establishing
their own currency, they will always be the
victims of designing men; and,
WHEREAS the present banking system Of this
country is no more nor less than one Of credit,
its operation being unequal and unjust, we be
eve that labor is the only true source of wealth,
and that he who produces wealth is the best
entitled to enjoy It, and that q currency should
Or represent labor.
$ AND WHEREAS the government Of the United
States, exercises exclusive jurisdiction over
lands on the continent of North America, which
% we consider as wrong and oppressive, land be-
: ing our inherent birthnght the same as the
water we drink, and the air we breathe there
fore We will petition the general government
< 10 have the public lands Immediately surveyed
= and each citizen who is twenty-one years o
age, be permitted to take possession of as muct
as will be necessary to sustain himself and thos,
dependent upon him, without money and with
;. out price.
: We here present synopsis of the COnstitu
ticn, and refer the reader for more full particu
lars to a pamphlet that will be published in
few days.
Is, Article FIRST relates to the number of officers
their duties, &c
Article Second provides for the appointment
of an Executive Committee, and defines thei
duty, which is to exercise general superyisiol
over all the concern Of the Association.
I. Arliele Fourth and Fifth make provision 70
a the disposal of delinquent officers and member:
5s- Article Sirth provides for the way aud man
n ner of conducting debates, authorsing the Pres
Il ident to call TO order, when members in speak
~ ing depart from the rules OF prOprety. Il ais
gives members the privilege Of inviting person
! Of intelligence, who are skilled in the arts an
n sciences, TO lecture and teach of the science
III Government, Of political economy, philosoph
Il OF trade and commerce, philosophy of healtt
II cause Of disease, cause and cure Of evil, in ia
\ world, and upon all subjects pertaining to th
u present, and future happiness Of the huma
Il race The invitation is extended 10 all profe.
sions, to persons of every political party, and
III every religious creed, making every person 7,
nj
another
Article Ssvsntk more fully defines the duti,
of the Executive Committee recommends Ii
organization of the different trades, or depar
ment of labor, under their own appropriai
heads, and appoints delegates to meet in cOnnet
ton with the Executive Committee, Of this o.
ganizstion- It also seeks the cooperation
the Germans, and the appointment of delegate
from their organization, advocates tie rights
individual opinions, believing no good can aris
. BY forcing opinions upon others, and no han
IS. will result TO the community at large by leavin
1l each to the verdict of his own Judgment so Ion
az it does not interfere with the rights Of other
e, recommends the organization Of the Workin
lsy Men all over the United States, and the openin
The correspondence with philanthropic minds i
E a different States and Territories.
saa The following was then read;
This Association shall be known as th
", Workingmen's Association of Cleveland, an
@ on may become auxiliary to other Association
whose object is similar viz The amelioratio
. Of the condition Of the Laboring Glasses. Thi
Association assumes the position, that labor
- the only true source Of wealth, and that he wh
Il produces wealth, Is the best entitled to enio
m it that the labOring classes are largely in ID
20 majority that under the existing social orde
ri and the present rates Of monetary affairs, th
'e working classes will always be subject to ruiz
lay Gus huctuatOn, and will be constantly victimi1
ed by capital, reduced to minimum of wage
> and most disastrous competition be produce
ias among themselves
They also assert that their skill and energ
. has contributed to the surprising wealth an
prosperity of the United States, and that b
nd the late financial panic, many were suddenl
aio thrown into the streets, and some of Us, an
I'VE our little families are now enduring the moi
me me bitter privation. Further that OrganiZatio