The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-11-26

other, the decree of divorce was set aside by
a heavenly tribunal, and they were reunited
ia death.
Platform Of the National Labor Union.
WHEREAS, Ii is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, b.. 20 reafirm the same and, for
practical use, cnuncate the substance thereof
In a more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions and,
WHEREAs, "Al political power ia inherent
in the people, aud free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
6t ~ that ali ireemen are equal in political
rights, and entitled TO the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, as also thu use and the enjoyment OF
tile fruits OF their labor and talents and no
maB or set of men are entitled 10 exclusive, sep
arAte emoluments, privileges or immunities
from the government, but in consideration Of
public services Il and any laws destructive Of
these fundamental principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed, To do
90, however is a difficult work when such laws
or usages are interwoven with pride pref udice
an1 selhshDess. Besides, experience shows that
laboring people are more than others disposed
" 70 suffer while evils are siderable" than or
ganiEe for their abolition and
WHEREAs, We are admOnished BY the imper-
HE'D rights OF labor throughout the United
States " organize and agitate in behalf,
with the decree, "In the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread, and the adage that "The price
Of liberty is eternal vigilance" entbroned IN
our hearts ana emblaZoned as notices on our
: banners, assured Of success over corrupt p0liti-
cal schemeTs, and the spectators and bankers
who are preying hAe harpies upon the fruits Of
a.. Ian, 80 rNnrtft -
and social system that equilibrium OF rights and
Justice 50 necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility be it
7 Resolved, That the la9orers in al departments
Of useful INDUSTRY are suffering from ~ stem
I Of monetary laws, which we're enacted during
I the late war as measures, it was assumed, nee
essary 10 tile life OF the nation" which is now
sought TO be pcrpetuated in the interest Of
boudhOders aud bankers a means TO su5vert
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
ghts Of labor, and subordinate is votares 70
i TIE merciess demands Of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate OF interest Oh money
Is The governing power il The distribution OF
the products Of Industry and enterprise between
capital and labor, aud that the present rates art
IN excess aud disproportionate TO the increase
Of uie national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes
Resolved. That the national banking syste IN
being inimicsl 70 tie spirit Of liberty and sub
versiye Of The principles Of justice, without war
rant in the constitution OF the United States
and wrOngiully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions VI dollars an
nually Justice demands it, repeal
Res lived, That 10 provide a true national
curreIc y adapted 20 The genius OF our institu-
tons and INC wants OF the business Of the coun-
try, the circulating 2 5 of the national banks,
and the preseh; greenbacks, which are not full
legal tender, should be Withdrawn from circula
ton and their place supplied with paper cur
rency based on the wealth OF the nation made
legal leader in the payment OF all de- 5, pub
lie and private; declared the lawful money OF
the United States and convertible at the plea
sure a the holder into government bonds bear
ing per cent. interest per annum, subject to
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 bondholders
for payment in gold Of that class Of indebted
ness known as $50 bonds the principal Of
which is legally and equitably payable in law fu
money-is dishonest and extOrti0Late and
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds. or in any way in
ereasing the gold bearing and untaxed obIiga-
tons OF the government.
\ Resolved, That justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be so adjusted
as TO bear equally on all classes and interests
aud that the exemption from taxation Of gov
ernmeut bonds, bearing extortionate rates oil
interest, is a violation Of all Just principles Of
revenue laws
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff so as to admit free the necessaries of life
and such articles of common use as We can mel
Their produce nor grow; also TO lay duties fol
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and up
on sucn articles of manufacture as-we having
the raw material in abundance=will develop
the resources Of the country, increase the NUN
Der Of factories, give employment to more la
5orers, maintain good compensation, cause the
immigration OF skilled labor. tie lessening o.
prices to consumers, the creating Of Q perma
nent home market for agricultural products
destroy the necessity for the odious and expen
4 sive system of internal taxation, and win soor
enable us to successfully compete with the man
utaciurers Of Europe in the markets of the
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption Of such
measures among all classes Of workmen, In all
sectioDs Of the country, as will secure the adop
ton Of the eight hour system, and call upon the
respective state legislatures to follow the ez-
ample of the National Congress in recognizing
/ eight hours as a legal days work.
| Resolved, That the presence in our country
Of Chinese laborers In large numbers is an evil
entaiing want and Its consequent train Of mis-
cry and crime on al other classes OF the
American people, and should be prevented by
V legislation.
4 Resolved, As labor is the foundation and
cause o. national prosperity. It Is both the duty
and interest OF the governments to foster and
protect it. Its importance, therefore, demands
the creation OF an Executive Department OF the
government at Washington, TO be Disseminated
the Department Of Labor, which shall aid IN
protecting il above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection OF life, liberty
aud property are the three cardinal principles
of government and the tirst two more sacred
than the latter; therefore,, money necessary Tor
prosecuting wars should, as IL 10 required be
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
country, and mos be entailed as burden on
posterity.
Resolved, That the public lands Of Che
United States belong 70 the people, and should
! not ne sold TO individuals nor granted % cor
poraSaOns. DuL $780,. ~. .->s -~.-nss twist
for the benefit Of the people, and should be
granted free Of cost 10 landless settlers only, In
amounts not exceeding 100 acres Of land.
| Resolved, That the treaty-making Pc Scr Of
the government has no authority in the consti-