The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-10-30
PLATFORM
OF THE
LABOR REFORM PARTY.

Whereas, 1t Is not deemed advisable to change
or modify the existing declaration Of principles,
but to re-afirm the same, and for practical use
enunciate the substance thereof in a more con-
venient and concise form, with some additional
resolutions and,
Whereas, All political power is inherent in
the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
ft that all free men are equal in political rights
and entitled to the largest political aud regi-
Gus liberty compatible with good order Of So
ciety, as also the use and enjoyment of the fruits
Of their labor, and talents and no man Or set of
men are entitled to exclusive, separate emol-
uments, privileges or immunities from the
government but in consideration of public
service and any laws destructive Of these fun
damental principles are without moral bind
ing force, and should be repealed. To do so,
however, is a difficult work, when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, prejudi
ces and selfshness. Besides, experience shows
that laboTing people are, more than others, dis
posed to suffer while evils are siderable, than
to organize for their abolition, and,
Whereas, We are admonished BY the imper
illed rights of labor throughout the United State
to organize and agItate in our own behalf wits
the decree, " in the sweat Of the face shalt thou
eat bread, and the addage that 1.-THE price Of
liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned in our
hearts aud emblazoned as notices on our
banners, assured OF success over corrupt
political schemes and the spectators and
banker who are preying like narpies upon
the fruits of honest labor, and thus restore
to our political and social system that equil-
ibrium of rights and justice 40 necessary to
good government and domestic tranquility
therefore, be it
Resolved, That laborers in all depart
ments Of useful industry are suffering from
system of monetary laws which we're enacted
during the late war, as measures, 1t was as
sumed necessary to the life of the nation, and
which is now sought to be perpetnated in the
interest of bondholders and bankers as a 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 aggre>
gated capital and superscillous authority.
Resolved, That the National Banking system
being inimical to the spirit of liberty, and sub
versive Of the principles Of justice, and without
and wrongfulls increasing the burdens Of the
wealth-prOducing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, justice, the aspirations Of honest indus
try, and the spirit Of imperilled liberty demand
its immediate repeal aud the substitution of legal
tender notes as the exclusive currency OF the
nation.
Resolved, That the " National 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
making, issuing, or putting in circulation, any
notes, bills or other paper Of any other bank to
circulate as money, except the "legal-tender
Treasury notes" therein contemplated.
Resolved That the present rate of interest is
in excess Of and dis, roportonate to the increase