The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-09-03
Platform of the National Labor Union.

WH~rE4., ~ is not deemed advisable TO
chance ar rroulff 20 existing decfNHaeisA %
prtrt Dirs 11t 70 -saHirm the same; and, for
prs cal 4se, enuncias- the substance thereon IN
! more convenient aud concise form, with some
additional resolutions sRd,
WHEREAS. GAN political power is inherent in
the people, and fee government founded on
their suthorIty and established for their b&ne-
81 !" that al feemen are equal in political
rights. and entitled TO the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Ct society, as also the use and the enjoyment Of
the fruits Of their labor and talents and mo
man or set Of men are entitled TO exclusive. Sc
parate emOluments, privileges or immunItIes
from the government, but in consideration OF
public services :" and any laws destructive OF
these fund amental principles are without moral
binding force, and should lie repealed. To do
90, however, is q difficult wNTk when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, prejudiced
and selishness. Besides, experience shows thas
labo,ing people are Ilore than others disPoset
$40 suffer while evils are suferable" Than organ
ize for their abolition; and
WHEREAS, We are sdmonished by the inper-
illed rights Of labor throughout the Uslted
States to organize end sgitate in our behalf
with the decree. I'm the sweat of the face Ahalt
thou eat bread" and the adsge that "The psice
of liberty 10 eternal vigilance" enthroned 10
our hearts and emblaZOned as mottos on our
banners, assured OF success over corrupt polGi-
cal schemers, and the spectators and bankers
Who are preying like harpies upoR the fruits Of
honest labor, and thus restore TO our political
and social system that equilibrium Of rights snd
justice so necessary TO good governments and
domestic tranquility, be it
Resolved, That the laborers in al depart
ments Of useful industry are suffering from
IL La uhirh aUaalah
during the late war. as measures il was assumed,
necessary 10 the life OF the nation" which =
now sought to be perpetusted in the interests )i
bondholders and bankers as a means TO subVsrt
the government Of our fathers, and ests lish On
its ruins an empire which all political powsr
shall be centralized to restrain and Cypress the
rights Of labor, and subordinate its votaries %
the merciess demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate OF interest on money
is the governing power in the distribution OF
the products OF Industry and enterprise between
capitol and labor and that the press mt rates are
IN excess ami dispropOrtionate to the increase Of
the national wealth, and oppressive to the pro
ducIng classes.
Resolved, That the national banking system
being inimical TO the spirit OF liberty and sub
veIsive Of the principles Of jus :, WiIhout var
rant ia the constitution oil the United States,
ard wrongfully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
nuaIly. justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That TO provide q true national
currency adapted 70 the genius Of our institu-
tions and the wants Of the business of the coun'
try, the circulating notes OF the national banks,
and the present grcenbacks, ~hicb are not full
legal tender should be withdrawn from circula-
ton AID their place supplied With paper cur
rency based on the wealth of the nation; made
. legal T. nder 10 .e payment Of all debts, pub
lie aud private declared the lawful money Of
the United States and convertible al the plea
sure Of the holder into government bonds bear
iug per cent. interest per annum, suoJect 70
future legislation by congress. The 6onls ike
wise convertibe into lawful money, at the OPP
ton Of The holder.
Resolved That the clsim Of the bondholders
for payment in gold OF that class Of Indeot-
edness kno~n 40 8 20 bonds, the principal
Of which is legally and equitably payable In Law.
full MONEYS dishonest and extortlOnate, and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, oy fuad-
ing the debt in long bonds or In any way m
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed oDiiga'
tiOhs Of the governmest-
Resolved, That Justice demands that the Dor.
dOns OF the government should be 90 ao1asseo
as 70 bear equally on all classes and interests
and that the exemption from taxAtton Of gov-
eminent bonds bearing extortinonate rates Of In
teress is violation Of al jsss principles Of re-
venue lava
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff 80 40 TO Sdmit Tres the necessarles Of me
ard such articles Of common use 40 We can mel
Their produce EOF grow also 20 10y duties In
revenue, mainly upon articles Of iuxnfy and Up
on such articles Of manufacture %, We. having
the raw magsrial in abundances viii dsyssoP sne
resources Of The country; increase ses ns@ss'
Of factories give enplcyment 60 mcss iAses-
srs, msintsin good compensation, cause .ne ~
migration Of skilled labos she lsssening o. psaesl