The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-08-23
Platform OF the National Labor
EuiOu.

Fiasform OF me n"''o""' ""''
The following Is the full text OF the plat
form of the National Labor Union, adopted
at the meeting on Friday
Whereas II 1, not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration
OF principles, but 10 reafiirm the same; and
for practical use, enunciate the substance
thereof In a more convenient 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
benefit" that all frcemcn are equal In politl-
cal rights, and entitled TO the largest politl-
cal and religious liberty compatible with
good order OF society, rs also the use and
enjoyment of the fruits Of their labor and
talents; and emo man or set OF men are en-
titled to exclusive, separate emolumcnt,
privileges or immunities from the Govern
ment, but In consideration OF public ser
vices;" and any laws destructive OF these
fundamental principles arc without moral
binding force, and should be repealed. To
do so, however, Is q difficult work, when
such laws or usngcs are interviewer with
pride, prejudice and sclfshncss. Besides,
experience shows that the laborlng people
are, more than others, disposed ''to suffer
while evils arc siderable" rather than or
ganize for their abolition; and
Whereas we are admonlshed by the i'm
perilled rights of labor throughout the Uni
ted States to organize and agltato In our
behalf, with the decree, SIN the sweat Of the
face shalt thou cat bread" and the adage
that "Thc price of liberty Is eternal vigil
lance" enthroned In our hearts and emilia
zoned as notices on our banners, assured of
success over corrupt political schemers, and
the spectators and bankers who are preying
like harpies upon the fruits of honest labor,
and thus restore TO our political and social
systems that equilibrium of rights and Jus
tice so necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility: therefore, be II
Resoipsd, That laborcrs In all departments
Of useful industry are suffering from a sys-
TEN of monetary laws which were enacted
during the late war as measures, II was as
sumed, Unnecessary to the life Of the nation"
and which is now sought TO be pcrpetuated
In the interest of bondholders and bankers,
rs means to subvcrt the Government of our
fathers, and establish on Its ruins an empire
in which all political power shall be central
lied TO restrain and Cypress the rights Of
labor, and subordinate its yotarics to the mer-
ciless demands of aggregated capital and
supercillous authority.
Resolved, That the national banking sys-
TEN, being inimlcal to the spirit of liberty
and subversive 10 the principles Of justice,
and without warrant In the Constitution Of
the United States, and wrongfully increasing
the burdens of the wealth-produeing classes
millions Of dollars annually, Justice, the as.
pration OF honest industry, and the spirit OF
imperilled liberty demand its immediate re.
peal aud the Substitution Of legal tender notes
us 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 privi-
| lege Of making, Issuing or putting in clrcula.
| ton any notes, bills or other paper of any
other bank to circulate as money, except the
legal-tender Treasury notes therein cOntem
plated.
Resolrci, That the present rate of interest
Is in excess of and disproportonatc 10 the
| Increase Of national wealth, and being tho
governing power in the distribution Of the
products Of capital and labor, Is oppressive
10 RttssosSed, That the revenue laws of the
United States should be altered so that, In
stead OF subordinating labor to capital they
| may afford lust protection to labor and the
Industrial interests Of the whole country.
Reso!rsi, That tho lcgal-tendor money
should he made a legal tender In the pay
ment OF all debts, public and private, ant
convertible at the option Of the holder into
Government bonds, bearing interest at the
rate OF three per cent. per annum, with
privilege to the holder to reconvert the bonds
| into money or the money into bonds, NJ
| pleasure.
R,soloci, That the claim Of the bond.
holders, that the bonds which were bought
with grecnbacks, and the principal of which
is by law payable in currency, should never.
thelcss be paid In gold, Is unjust aud cxtor
| Tomato.
R.solred, That the exemption from tax o
bonds and securities Is violation of the jus
principle oil revenue laws.
RcsoIped, That land mouopoics arc at va
rance with the doctrine that "all frcemen
when they form social compact, are equa
in rights" and If persisted In, must uItl
mately result in the subyersion Of free insti
stutions, as also the social and political well
being Of the laboring masses. To proven
this calamity, the public lands adapted 4
agriculture should be given, in REASONABLE
quantities, to none but American citizens
and such as have declared their Intention L
become citizens. Individual owners of er
tenslye tracts of land should be encourage
TO dispose Of the same In small parcels, a
reasonable prices, to actual settlers, tina
they may thus become Identified with til
soil, as responsible, intelligent citizens.
Rtsolvtd, That 1t Is duty which shoul
be exercised with pleasure TO guard wit
| vigilant care the delicate and sacred right
OF the daughters Of toll who are engaged il
various industrial pursuits, and solicit thei
hearty cooperation in our efforts to Wind
cate the rights Of tho iaboring classes, Will
VIC pledge them, In return, our Individual an
undivided support.
Rcsolpsd, That religion, morality, au
knowledge, being necessary TO success,
schools and other means Of education shout
be encouraged, such as tho formation {
labor unions, mechanics Institutes, lyceum
reading-rooms, and whatever additions
agencies may hereafter DO deemed cond
Give to the cause Of morality and Int
ligence.
Roolccd, That as labor Is the foundato
and cause of national prosperity, 1t Is bot
the duty and interest OF Government to fost,
and protect ii. Its importance, therefor
demands the creation Of an executive dcpar
ment of the Government at Washington,
be dcnominated the department OF laEo
which shall aid In protecting 1t above a
other interests.
RsSOlved, That in cooperation, based upo
Just financial and revenue laws, We rcco!
nize sure and lasting remedy for the abut
OF the present industrial system, and tina
until the laws of the nation can be remodel,
so as to recognize the rights of men instea
OF classes, the system OF cooperation car
fully guarded will do much to lessen Il
evils Of our present system. We therefor
hail with delight the organization of coOpe
alive stores and workshops, and would ur!
their formation In every section of the cOu
try, and In every branch of business.
RssOlpsd, That the protection of life, II
crty and property are the three cardinal pri
clples of government, and tho two first mo
sacred than the lattcri therefore money II
ccssary for prosecuting wars should, as II
required, BIZ assessed and collected from Il
wealth of the country, and not be entailed
: Il burden upon postcrity.
R"sol"ci, That the National Labor Coz
grCss earnestly recommends the adoption
such measures among all classes Of workin
men, In all sections of the country, as wi
secure the adoption OF the clght-hour system
and calls upon the respective State Lcgis
lures to follow the example Of the Nutioni
Congress, in recognizing eight hours as
legal days week.
RcsO!ytd, That voluntary associations
: worklngmGn and women arc entitled at Il
hands OF legislation, State and national,
the same chartered rights aud prlyilcg,
granted TO associated capital, and we d
mand their practical recognition and cufOrc
ment.
Resolved, That political equality being OF
Of the cardinal principles Of this organic,
finn thnrafnrp II rUn full astnratinn Z