The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-09-11
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Whereas, It 10 not deemed advisable to change
or modify the existing declaration OF principles,
but 10 re-afirm the same, and for practical use
enunciate the substance therecfin . more con-
venient and concise form, with some additional
resolutions and,
where's, An political power 10 inherent in
the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
6t that all free men are equal In political rights
and entitled 10 the largest political and religi-
Gus liberty compatible with good order OF So
ciety a. also the use and enjoyment of the fruits
of their labor, and talents and no man VI 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ing for~e, and should be repealed. To do 90,
however, is . difficult work, when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, prejudi-
ces and selishness. Besides, experience shows
that laboring 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-
iled rights Of labor throughout the United States
to organize and agitate in our own behalf with
the decree, in the sweat Of the face shalt thou
eat bread, and the addsge that 1.-THE price Of
liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned in our
hearts and emblazOned as notices on our
banners, assured OF success over corrupt
political schemes, and the spectators and
banker who are preying like narpies upon
to our political and social system that equil-
If suhk nd m
good government and domestic Tranquility /;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That laborers in all depart
meuts of useful industry are suffering from .
system Of monetary laws which were enacted
during the late war, 20 measures, 1t was as
sumed nv to the life Of the nation, and
which Is nov sought to be perpetnated in the
interest of bondholders and bankers a. q means
to subvert the government Of our fathers, and
establish on is ruins m empire, in which all
political power shall be centralized to restrain
and Cypress the rights Of labor, and subordinate
its votaries 10 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
warrant 10 the Constitution Of the United States,
and wrongfnll' increasing the burdens Of the
nually, justice, the aspirations of honest indus
try, and the spirit of imperilled liberty demand
its Immediate repeal and 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 ia
in excess of and disproportinnate to the increase
of national wealth, and being the governing
power in the distribution Of the products Of cap.
ital and labor, Is oppressive 10 the producing
classes
Resolved. That che revenus laws Of the United
States should be altered 90 that, instead of sub
ordinating labor TO capital, they may afford jus.
Of the whole country.
Resolved, That the legal tender money should
be made a legaltend in the payment Of all
debts, public and private, and convertible at
the optioniof the holder into Government bonds,
bearing interest at the rate OF three per cent.
per snnum, with privilege to the holder to re-
convert the bonds into money or the money into
bonds, at pleasure.
Resolved, That the claim Of the bondholders,
that the bonds which we're bought with green
backs, and the principal Of which 10 by law pay
able in currency, should nevertheless he paid in
gold, is unjust and extortionste.
Resolved, That the exemption from tax oil
bonds and securities. Is a violation of the Just
principle Of revenue laws
Resolved, That land monOpolies are at vsri-
ance with the doctrine that " all freemen when
they form a social compact are equal in rights,
and if persisted in, must ultimately result 10 tie
subverson of free institutions, 40 also the social
and political well-bsing of the labOri0g masses.
To prevent this calamity, the public lands
adapted to agriculture should be given, il rea-
sonable Quantities to none bnt American citi.
gems, and such as have declared their intention
to become citizenA Individual owners OF ex-
tensive tracts Of land should be encouraged to
dispose of the same in small parcels, at reason
able prices, to actual settlers, that may thus be-
come identified with the SOIL az responsible, in.
telligent citiSens-
Resolved. That it 10 q duty which should be
exercised with pleasure, to guard with vigilant
care the delicate and sacred rights of the daugh-
tiers Of toll who engaged 10 various ndustri Il
our efforts to vindicate the rights of the labor
ing classes, while We pledge them, in return,
our individual aud undivided support
Resolved, That religion, morality and know
ledge, being necessary to success, schools and
other means of education should be encOursg ed,
such as the formation of labor unions, mechan-
les institutes, lyceums, reading-roOms, and
whatever additional agencies may hereafter be
deemed conducive to the cause of morality and
intelligence.
Resolved, That as labor Is the foundation and
cause of natioEal prosperity, IL is both the duty
and interest OF government 70 foster and pro-
tect it. It's importance, therefore, demands the
creation of an Executive Department OF the
government at Washington, to be deuominated
the Department o. Labor, which shall aid in
protecting it above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection Of life, liberty.
and property, are the three cardinal principles
of government, and the two first more sacred
than the latter therefore, money necessary for
prosecuting wars should, as il is required. be
assessed and collected from the wealth of the
country, and not be entailed az a burden on
posterity.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommends the adoption Of such
measures among all classes of Workmen, In all
sections Of the country, as will secure the adop-
ton Of the Eight Hour system, and calls upon
the respective + ate legislatures to follow the
example of the National Congress, in recogniz-
ing eight hours as legal days work.
Resolved, That voluntary associations Of
workingmen and women are entitled, ut the
hands Of legislation, State aud National, to the
same chartered rights and privileges granted
to associated capital. and We demand their
practical recognition and enforcement
Resolved, That political equality being one
OF the cardinal principles Of this organisation,
We therefore urge full restoration of civil rights
TO every American citizen, exec pt such as have
been convicted OF felony.
Resolved, That We are unalterably opposed
to the importation Of a servile race for the sole
and only purpose of pauperisiDg the labor of
the American wOrkingmen.
Resolved, That we demand the abolishment
Of the system Of contract labor In our prisons
and penitenIiaries, and that the labor performed
BY convicts shall be that which will least con-
flict with honest industry out side Of the prisons
and that the wares manufactured BY the con
victs shall not be put upon the market at less
than current rate&
Resolved, That the Labor Congress would
most respectfully recommend 70 the WoTkingmen