The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-12-31
Platform Of the national Labor Union.

Platform Of the National Labor Union
WHkRKAs, Il Is not deemed advisable Il
change or modify the existing declaration o
principles, but to reafirn the same and, fo
practical use, enunciate the substance thoreo
In = more convenient and concise form, viii
some additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAs, IAN political power Is inherent
In the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
IL" that all freemen are equal 10 poltica
rights, and entitled to the largest political anC
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, a. also the use and the enjoyment Of
the fruits Of their labor and talents and " nc
man or SET Of men are entitled 20 exclusive, sep
arate emoluments, privileges or immunitie'
from the government, but 10 consideration Of
public services !" and any laws destructive Of
these fundamental principles are without mora
binding force, and should be repealed. To do
80, however, is q difficult work when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and sel6shness. Besides, experience shows thai
laboring people are more than others disposed
" to suffer while evils are siderable" than or
ganize for their abolition and
WHEREAS, We are sdmonished by the imper
iled rights Of labor throughout the United
States TO organize aud agiIste in our behalf
Wlih the decree, "ln the sweat of the face shall
thou eat bread" and the. adsgs thshtt6roned in
Of liberty IS eieEnceI szoned as notices on our
o o19aaIers, assured Of success over corrupt poit
cal schemeIs, and the spectators and bankers
who are preying like harpies upon the fruits Of
honest labor, and thus restore to our political
and social system that equilibrium Of rights and
Justice 80 necessary TO good government and
domestic tranquility, be 1t
Re Olved, That the la5orers in all departments
OF useful INDUSTRY are suffering from system
Of monetary laws, which were enacted during
the late war, as measures, it was assumed, "nec
essary to the life of the nation" which is nov
sought to be perpetuated in the interest oil
bondholders aud bankers a. a means 10 suoVert
the government of our fathers, and establish ON
its ruins an empire in which all political power
shall be centralized 20 restrain and Cypress the
rights Of labor, and subordinate its votaries to
the merclless demands Of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate Of interest on money
10 the governing power in the distribution OF
the products of industry and enterprise between
capital and labor, al that the present rates are
in excess and disprOp, rtionate TO the increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inimical to the spirit Of liberty and sub
Versive of the principles of iustice, without war
rant in the constitution OF the United states
and wrongfully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions OF dollars an
nualy, Justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide true nations
currency adapted TO the genius Of our instltu-
tons and the wants of the. business OF the coun
try, the circulating notes of the national banks
and the present greenbacks, which are not ful
legal tender, should be Withdrawn from circula
ton and their place supplied with paper cur
renoy bal ed on the wealth OF the nation ; mad
a legal tender in the payment Of all debts, pub
lie and private; declared the lawful money o
the United States and convertible at the plea
sure OF the holder into government bonds bear
ing per cent. interest per annum, subject u
future legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the op-
ton of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim of the bOndholder
for payment in gold Of that class Of indebted
ness known as g. 20 bonds, the principal o
which is legally aud equitably payable in Lawful
noDey-is dishonest and extOrti0hate, an
hence we enter our solemn protest against an
departure from the original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any way H.
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed obliga
tons Of the government.
Resolved, That justice demands that the bur
dens OF the government should be 50 adjuSte
as 10 bear equally on all classes and interests
a that the exemption from taxation of gov
nment bonds, bearing ex:ortiOnate rates O
interest, is a violation OF all Just principles Q
, revenue laws.
Resolved. That congress should modify tn
tariff 80 as TO admit free the necesslries Of lif
\ A - -
Their produce nor grow; also TO lay duties 70
revenue msinly upon articles Of luxury and up
on sucn articles Of manufacture as-we havin
the raw material in abundance-will develo
the resources OF the country, increase the nun
Der Of factories, give employment to more Ia
borers, maintain good compensation, cause th
immigration OF skilled labor. the Jesse uing q
prices to consumers, the creating OF a perms
nent home market for agricultural products
destroy the necessity for the odiOus and exper
sive system Of inter nal taxation, and will 500
enable Us to successfully compete with the mar
ufacIurers Of Europe in the markets Of th
world
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption Of sue
measures among al classes Of workmen, in n
seclio ) Of the country, as will secure the adoF
ton Of the eight hour system, and call upon th
re spective state legislatures TO follow the Ell
ample Of the National Congress in recognizin
eight hours as q legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence in our countr
Of Chinese laborers In large numbers is an ev
entailing want and its consequent train Of mis-
err and crime on al other classes Of tn
American people, and should be prevented
legislation.
Resolved, As labor is the foundation an
cause OF national prosperity. il is both the dut
and interest OF the government to foster an
protect il. Its Importance therefore, demana
the creation Of On Executive Department of sh
government at Washington, to be denominate
4 the Department Of Labor, which shall aid
protecting il above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection Of life, lioers
aud property are the three casdinsl principle
of government, and the first two more sacre
than the latter; therefore, money necessary Il
prosecuting wars should, as il is required, /
assessed and collected from the wealth OF q
country, and not be entailed as burden .
posterity.
Resolved, That the public lands Of d
! United States belong to the people, and shou
not be sold to individuals nor granted 20 cor
purations, but should be held as q sacred tru
for the benefit Of the people, and should
granted free Of cost TO landsess settlers only,
amounts not exceeding $50 acres Of land.
Resolved, That the treaty-making power
she government has no authority in the const
tuition to dispose Of" the public lands witho'
the joint sanction Of the Senate and House
Representatives.