The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-22
Platform of the National Labor Union.


Platform of the National Labor Union
WHEREAS, It is not deemed advisable &c
change or modify the existing declaration O
principles, but to reafdrm the same; and, foI
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof In
a more convenient and concise form, with some
additbnal resolutions; and,
WHEREAS, "Al political power is inherent il
the people, and free government founded OF
their authority and established for their bene-
fit; that all freemen are equal in polt;ca
rghtl and entitled to the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the goo order
of society, as also the use and the enjoyment o
the fnlits Of their labor and talents and INC
mau Or set of men are entitled TO exclusive. Sc
parats emoluments, privileges or immunitIes
from the government, but in consideration o.
public services :" and any laws destructive G.
thesefundamentsl principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed To dc
/ so, hSWever, is difficult work when such laws
or ussges are interviewer with pride, preiudiced
and selhshness. Besides, experience shows tina.
I laboing people are more than others disposet
Ito SITTER while evils are siderable" than orga
/ ize for their abolition and
\ WHEREAS, We are admonished by the imper-
/
States to organize and sgitate in our behalf
with the decree, I'm the sweat of tie face shall
thou eat bread" and the adsge that 1.-THE price
Of liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned il
cur hearts and emblazoned as mottos on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemers, and the spectators and bankers
Who are preying like harpies upon the fruits Of
honest labor, and thus restore to our politica
and social system that equilibrium OF rights and
justice so necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
| Resolved, That the laborers in all depart
nents of useful industry are suffering from a
system of monetary laws, which were enacted
during the late war as measures il was assumed
necessary to the life of the nation" which il
row sought to be perpetuated in the interests Of
hondholders and bankers a means to subvert
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
nights Of labor, and subordinate its votaries to
the merciless demands of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate Of interest on money
the governing power in the distribution OF
the products of industry and enterprise betw een
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
n excess and disproportionate to the increase OF
he national wealth, and oppressive to the pro-
duclng classes
Resolved, That the national banking system
being inimical to the spirit Of liberty and sub
versve OF the principles Of justice. without war
rant in the constitution OF the United States,
and wrongfuly increasing the burdens Of the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That TO provide a 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 greenbaeks, which are not full
legal tender, should be withdrawn from c,rcula.
tiou and their place supplied with q paper cur
nency based on the wealth Of the nation made
legal tender in the payment of all debts, pub
DC and private declared the lawful money OF
the United States and convertible at the plea
sure of the holder into government bonds bear
ing per cent. interest per annum, sub ject TO
future legislation by cong Jss. The bonds like.
wise convertible into lawful money, as the op-
ton Of the holder
Resolved That the claim OF the bondhoIdcrs
for payment in gold of that class of indebt-
edness known as $50 bonds, the principal
Of which is legally and equitably payable in law
full MONEYS dishonest and extOrtiOnate, and
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract BY fuad-
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any wav in
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed obliga-
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
and that the exemption from taxation OF gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortinonAte rates Of in.
terest, is a violation Of all just principles of re-
venue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
90 init eH r. g.
ard such articles Of common use as We can nei-
Their produce nor grow also to lay duties for
revenue, mainly upon articles Of lux ny and up,
ON such articles Of manufacture as, we, having
The raw material in abundance, will develop the
resources Of the country; increase the number
Of factories; give employment to more labor
ers, maintain good compensation, cause the i'm
migration OF skilled labor the lessening of prices
to consumers, the creating of permanent home
market for agricultural products, destroy the
necessity for the odious and expensive system OIL
internal taxation, and will soon enable us 10 sue.
cessfully compete with the manufacturers of Eu'
rope 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
sections of the country, as will secure the adop-
ton Of the Eight Hour system, and calls upon
49,
example Of the National Congress in recogniz-
ing eight hours as legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence 10 our country
Of Chinese laborers in large numbers Il an evil
entailing want ard its consequent train OF
misery aud crime on all other classes Of the
Ameri ;an people, and should be prevented, BY
legislation.
Resolved, as labor is the foundation and
cause Of national prosperity, il 10 both the duty
and interest Of the Government TO foster and
protect it. It's Importance, therefore, demands
the crestion of an Executive Department OF
the Government at Washington, to be denomi-
mated the Department of 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 first two more sacred
than the latter; therefore, morcy necessary for
prosecuting wars shonld, az it is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
county, and not be eutailed as burden on pos:
teritv.
Resolved, That the public lands Of the United
Rates belong to the people, and should not be
sold 70 individuals, NOR granted 20 corporations
but should be held as sacred trust for the bene-
ct of the people, and should be granted, free Of
cost, to landless settlers only, in amounts not
exceeding 100 acres Of land
Resolved, That the treaty-msking power Of
the government has no authority In the consti-
tuition TO dispose Of the public lands without
the joint sanction Of the Senite and House Of
Representatives.