The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-09-04
Information.
The Platform.

Mr.. Cameron, of Illinois, announced, as chair.
man OF the committee on platform, that he was
ready with his report; and after rome time
spent by the chairman in securing order for the
reading of the document, he proceeded as follows
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL LABOR UNION.
Whereas, 1t Is notl eemed advisable to change
or modify the existing declaration of principles,
but to reaffirm the same, and for practical use
enunciate the substance thereof in more con-
venient and concise form, with some additional
resolution; and
lPherods, All political power is inherent in the
people, and free government founded on their au.
thority and established for their benefit that all
treemen are equal in political rights, and emit
tied to the largest political and religious liberty
compatible with good order of society, 90 also
the use and enjoyment of the fruits OF their Ia
Dor and talents; and mo man or set of men are
entitled to exclusive, separate emoluments, priv
ileges, or immunities from the government but
in consideration of public services; !" and any
laws destructive of these fundamental principles
are without moral binding force and should Be
repealed. To do So however, is a difficult work,
when such laws or usages are interviewer with
pride, prejudice and selfshness. Besides expe-
rience shows that laboring people are more than
Others disposed ito suffer while evils are suffera-
ble," than to organize for their abolition; and
Whereas, We are admonished, BY the imperil.
ed rights of labor throughout the United States
to organize and agitate in our behalf, with the
decree, I'm the sweat of the face shalt thou eat
bread and the adage that "The price of our lib.
erty is eternal vigilance" enthroned in our
hearts and emblazoned as notices on our ban.
ners assured of success oyer corrupt political
sohemers, and the spectators and bankers who
are preying like harpies upon the fruit of hon.
est labor, and thus restore to political and 10.
cial system that equilibrium of rights and jus.
tlce SO necessary to good government and domes-
tic tranquility; therefore, be it
HeS0tced, That labOrers in all departments of
nseiul industry suffering from a system of
monetary laws which were enacted during the
late war as measures, it was assumed, ''necessa-
ry to the life of the nation" and which is now
sought to be perpetuated in the interest of the
bondhoidels and bankers, as o means to subvert
the government of our fathers, and establish ON
Its ruins an empire in which all political power
Shall be centralized, to restrain and Cypress the
rights OF labor, and subordinate its votaries to
the merciless demands of aggregated capital and
superclious authority.
hesolred, The national banking system, being |
inimcal to the spirit of liberty and subversivs
to the principles of justice, and without warrant
IN the constitution of the United States and !
wrongfnlly increasing the burdens of the wealth.
producing classes millions of dollars annually, |
Justice, the aspirations of honest industry, and
the spirit of imperiled liberty demand it's i'm. |
mediate repeal, and the substitution of lega.ten.
dor notes as tho exclusive currency of the nation
Resotced, That the Irrational Labor Union" is |
opposed to the continuation and creation of |
banks by acts of incorporation BY either state or |
national authority, with the privilege of max. |
ing, issuing, or putting in circulation any notes,
oiils, or other paper or any other bank to circu.
late as money, except the "legal.tender or treas
ury notes therein contemplated.
f<sotced, That the present rate of interest is in
excess and disproportionate to the increase of
national wealth, ard, being the governing power
In the distribution of the products of capital and
Labor, is oppressive to the producing classes.
ResoIoed, That the revenue laws Of the United |
States should be altered SO that, instead of sub
ordnating labor to capital, they may afford lust
protection to labor and the industrial interests of
the country
ResoIred, That the legal-tender money should |
be made legal tender in the payment of all |
debts pablo and private, and convertible at the |
option OF the holder into government bonds,
bearing interest at per cent. per annum, with |
privilege to the holder to reconvert the bonds in.
to money or the money into bonds at pleasure
IteS0ced, That the claim of the bOndholders,
that the bonds which were bought with green
backs and the principal of which is by law pay.
able in currency should nevertheless be paid in
gold, is unjust and extortionate
Hes0tred, That the exemption from tax OF
bonds and securities is violation of the inst
principle of revenue laws.
ResoIced, That land moncpolies are at vari.
ance with the doctrine that 'all freedmen, when
they form social compact, are equal in rights, |
and II persisted in, must ultimately result in the
subversion of free institutions, also the social
aud political well being of the laboring classes |
10 prevent this calamity, the public lands adapt.
ed TO agriculture should be given, in reasonable
quantities, to none but American citizens and
such as have declared their intention to become
citizens. Individual owners of extensive tracts
OF land should be encouraged TO dispose OF the
same in small parcels, at reasonable prices, to
actual settlers, that they may thus become iden.
tifed with the soil responsible, intelligent CT.
items
Resotced, That it is duty which should be
exercised with pleasure, to guard with diligent
care the delicate and sacred rights Of the daugh.
tiers of toll who are engaged in various industr,.
al pursuits and solicit their hearty corporation
In our efforts, to vindicate the rights of the Ia.
boring classes. while we pledge them in return
our individual and undivided support.
Rsotced, That religion, morality and knowl.
edge being necessary to success, schools and 9th.
er nieans OF education should be encouraged. such
az the formation OF labor unions, mechanics in
stltates, lyceums reading.rooms, and whatever
additional agencies may hereafter be deemed
conductive to the cause OF morality and intelli-
gence.
Resoloed, That labor is the foundation and
cause OF national prosperity, it is both the duty
ana interest OF government to foster and protect
IL. lM Importance, therefore, demands the crea.
ton OF an executive department Of the govern.
Iheht al asiington, to be denoininnted the de-
partnent OF labor, which shall ALL in nrotect;ny
it above all other interests
RssOlced, That the protection of life Ihsr,r
and prOperty are the three c,rd;,nI ,,.:,:.,-1