The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-09-26

dcubh Ind hanktup1uE fst1e Of interest q
) species Of dAngnfous snd unjust clsss b
EiFetiop oPPossd q "a }Pigit q fpF ,inslls
sound morally and enlightened reason,
Ttnf our tnonsls<y, 6sancsaI and revenus
lsFs Pm u leftsF sqa izisePpsssd 70 the
which DOR democratic republican institutions
are founded there Ii in all their provisions
unmfAtlys q Etpd.,d design 60 shield nom
producing capital from its just proportion OF
the burthens necessary for the support Of
the Goverumept, IMPOSING them mainly on
the industrial wealth producing classes,
oaSx3suuing them TO- lives of IN
toll, dsprivirg them Of the or
binary eoustniences ana comforts Of life
Of the time aad mesns necessary for social
enjoy ment, intellscluaI culture and moral
Improvement and ultimately reducing them
to q state of prscticai servitude.
We further hold tSst while these ua-
righteous laws Of distribdtion remain in
force, laborsrs cannot, by any system OF
CT CO. operation, secure their
natural rights. That the first and most inn
portxnt step. towards the establishment OF
the rights Of labor, IL the Institution Of q
system Of true on operation between non
prodnciDg capital and labor. That to eject
this most desirable object, money, the medi-
um Of distribution 70 capital and labor must
Be instituted upsa such wise and lust prin-
cipIe that instead 81 being power to cen.
bankers, usurers, middlemen and non-pro-
ducers generally, II shall be power that
will distribute products to producers in &C
<&S~~ 18th f.k~ 4
in their producticn-th servant and not the
master of labor. This done the natural
lights Of labor will be secured, and cp-oper-
alton in production and in the distribution
Ut products, viii follow % . material, conse-
quence The weight VIII be lifted from the
back Of the laberer, and the wealth produc-
ing classes will have the time and the means
necessary FOR social enjoyment, intellectual
culture and moral improvement, and the non
producing classes compelled TO earn living
by Honest industry. We hold that this can
be effected b. the issue Of treasury notes
made,a legal tender IN the payment Of all
debts public and private, and convertible at
the option of the holder into Government
bonds, besrisg a. just rate @ patTesb sgfi-
cienflg belofc the rate ofincredse in The na-
ts0aaI Ueaiths 6g natural production, as 10
make an equitable distribution of the pro-
ducts Of labor bstiosen non producing capt.
tai and labor, reserving TO Congress the
right TO alter the same when, in their iud9-
ment, the public interest would be promoted
thereby; giving the governm snt creditor the
right to take the lawful money or fhe inter-
est bearing bonds at his election, with the
privilege to the holder to re-convert the
bonds into money or the money into bonds
at pleasure.
Wa bold this TO be the true American, or
peoples monetary system. adapted to the
genius OF our Democratic Republican Insti-
I uti 1ns, In harmony with the letter and
spirit 0f tbs Constitution and suited to the
wants Of the government and business in
terests of the nation that il would furnish
q medium Of exchange, having equal power,
Q uniform value and fitted for the perform
aDce of al the functions Of money, co-exten-
sive with the jurisdiction of government.
That with just rate per cent. interest on
thegovernment bonds, 10 would effect the
equitable distribution of the products of la
Dor between non-producing capital and la
Dor, giving to laborers q fair compensation
for their products. and to capital just re-
ward for its use I; remove the necessity for
excessive toll and afford the Industrial class
es the time and means necessary for social
and intellectual culture, With the rate of
interest at three per cent. on the govern
ment bonds, the national debt would be IL
quidated within less than thirty years with
out the imposition or collection of one far
thing of taxes for that purpose Thus ii
would dispense with the hungry hoard of as
SCISSORS, tax-gatherers aud government spies
that are now harrassing the Industrial classes
and despoiling them of their subsistence.
We further hold that il is essential to the
prosperity and happiness of the people and
the stability Of our, Democratic Republican
Institutions, that the public domain be dis.
tributed as widely as possible among the
people; a land monopoly being equally a.
oppressive to the people and dangerous "a
our institutions, as the present money mon.
opelE. To prevent this the public lands
should be seld IN reasonable quantities, and
to pnne but actual occupants, aud to them
at the minimum price established by the
government When grants of the public
lands are deemed necessary for the encou-
ragement Of important Pablo improvements,
the fee simple should not be conveyed, bui
only the proceeds Of the sale thereof.
Wefurther hold that intelligence and yir-
tue 10 the sovereignty are necessary to a
wise administration of justice, and that as
our institutions are founded upon the theory
q sovereignty in the people, in order to
their preservation and perpetuity, it is the
Imperative duty OF Congress to make such
wise and jafst regulations a. shall afford all
the means Of acquiring the knowledge requi-
sfteto "the intelligent exercise Of the privi.
leges and duties pertaining to sovereign ty
and that Congress should ordain that eight
hours labor between she rising and setting
OF the sun should constitute . days work
in all Goyeraments works and places where
the National Government has exclusive iu-
risdiction, and that it Is equally imperative
on the several States to make light provision
by legal enactment. Be Il therefore unani-
mously s
Resolved, That our first duty il now 70 pro-
vide as speedily a. possible system of general
orsanizatien In. accordance with the principles
herein more specifically et forth, aud that each
bfasch ofindhsffy shall be lek to adopt its own
particular form Of organization, subject only to
such restraint as may be necessary to.place
each orghnitaeidn Fthm line. 20 Ms 70 act in
harmony In all matters pertaining 70 the well
fare OF the whole as well as each of the parts,
$3.50 ~ 70 e.fS imperative uutl VI every man
in each and every branch of industry to aid in
the 4orpRsiurof such ltber organizations in his
respective branch, and to connect himself there
wltn' :gHCTuza1a
Co-oPERAfIvE.
Resolved, That in cooperation, based upon
1ass financial and revenue laws, we recognize
sure and lasting remedy for the abuse Of the
present industrial system, and that until the
laws OF the nation can be remodelIed 90 as to
recognize the rights of men Instead OF classes,
the. sysssn<e Of cooperation carefully guarded
Will dp mneh 10 lessen the evils of our present
system. We, therefore, hail with delight the
organization of cooperative stores and work
shops, and would urge their formation in every
section Of the country, and in every branch Of
business, :. ASEWA1G~S 81
Resolved, Thst ne plsdze our Individual
and undivided support 10 the sewing women
aud slaughtsrs OF tod m stt5is hnd, md would
solicit their hearty cooperation, knowing as
we do, that no elses Of industry In 90 much in
need Of having their condition arneliorated as