The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-12-17
Platform Of the National Labor Uniop.

Platform Of the National Labor Union,
WHKakAs, Il 10 -nos deemed kdSissbls "a
change OF modify the existing declaration Of
principles, bot 70 reaflrm the same and, for
practical use, enancists the substance thereof
10 a more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAs, All political power 10 inherent
IN the people, an6free government founded on
their authority and established for their brne-
ht;' that all freemen are equal In political
rights, and entitled to she largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
OF society, as also the use aud the enjoyment OF
the fruits OF their labor aud talents; and no
man or set of m, are entitled TO exclusive, sep
aIate emolumeDts, privileges or immunisies
from the government, but in consideration of
public services :" and any laws destructive Of
these fundamental principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed. To do
so, however, is a difficult work when such laws
or usages are interwoyen with pride, prejudice
and selfshEess. Besides experience shows that
laboring people are more than others disposed
" 10 suffer while evils are sufferable" than or
ganize for their abolition and
WRTREAs, We are admonished by the imper-
illed rights OF labor throughout the United
States TO organize aud agiiate IN our behalf,
with the decree, "In the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread" and he.adAge that The price
Of liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned In
our hearts and emblaEoned notices on our
banners, assured of success over corrupt politi-
cal scAemeIs, and the spectators and bankers
who are proving like harpies upon the fruits d
honest labor, aud thus restore to our poll
and social system thai equilibrium OF rights aud
justice so necessary TO good government and
domestic tranquility, be il
Re; Olved, That the laborers IN all departments
OF useful industry are suffering from 81 stem
Of monetary laws, which were enacted during
the late wAr,as measures, il was assumed, nee
csSary 10 the lite of the nation" which Is nov
sought TO be perpetuated IN the interest Of
bandhOders aud bankers AZ q means to sa5vert
the government Of our fathers aud establish on
its ruins an empire in which all political power
snail Dc centralized to restrain and Cypress the
ghts OF labor, and subordinate its vOtarcs to
the mcrcIless demands of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate OF interest on money
is The governing power in the distribution Of
the pJOducts OF industry aud enterprise between
capital and labor, aud that the present rates are
il excess aud disproPorEionste 70 the increass
cf the national wealth, and oppressive % the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inimicsi TO the spirit of lsecrty and sub
versive Of the principles ofjustice, without war
rant IN the constitution "a the United states
aud wrongiully increasing the burdens OF th'
wealth producing classes millions OF dollars an
uualY, Justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide true nationa
currcrey adapted to she genius Of our instItu-
tons aud the wants of the business of the coun
Try, Ike circulating notes Of the national banks
ana the present greenbacks, which are not full
LEGAL tender, should be withdrawn from circula
ton and their place supplied with paper cur
rrHcy based On the wealth o. the nation mad
a legal Ieuder in the payment OF all debts, pub
lie aud private declared the lawful moEey o
thu u tied States and convert Die az the plea
sure u she holder into government bonds bear
ing per cent, interest per annum, subject u
failure legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the op
ten Of the hol Ter.
x, solved, That the clam of the boudhnlder
i0g payment in gold Of that class Of indebted
aess Anown AS 70 bonds. the principal Q
which is legally aud equtably payable in Lawful
nlueY-is dishonest and extortiobate, an
a. nc, We enter our solemn protest against an
departure from the original contract, by fund
ing the debt ia long bonds, or in any way 10
crea-ing the gold bearing and untaxed obliga
tons OF the government.
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
dobs Of the government should be adjuste
IS to bear equally ON all UisSses and interests
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
ernmeut bonds, bearing extoTtionate rates q
interest, is a violation Of all Just principles I
venue laws.
Resolved, That congress should b.odiy th
taiif 50 as to adhiiL free the Recrss uir- q III
aud such articles OF common use As Ee can ne
ther produce nor grow; also TO lay dnies "a
revenue muiuly upon articles Of luXyTy and ~
on suea articles Of manufacture as-we havin
the raw material in abundance-Nill dsvelO
the resources OF the country, Increase the nun
Der Of factories, give employment 10 more Ia
borers, maintain good compensation, cause th
immigration OF skilled labor. the lessening
prices to consumers, the creating Of q perm
nent home market for agricultural products
destroy she necessity for the odious and cxpeI
| sive system OF internal taxation, and will 500
enable US TO successfully compete with the mar
uiacIurers OF Euro in the markets OF th
world. MMNt.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congres
a'Destly recommend the adoption OF sue
measures among ell classes OF wOrkmen, ia a
sections Of the country, as will secure the adoE
tion ct the eight hour system, aud call upon th
respective state legIsl lures 70 follow the Ell
ample Of the NItsOnal Congress ia recOgniHin
eight hours as legal DAVIS work.
| Resolved, That the presence in couHtr
oil Chluese lAborVrs In large nnRlbers is an ev
entailing want ami its consequent Il n Of mis-
cry aud crime on III o,her classes cf ID
American people, aud should be prevented b
I legislation.
! Resolved, A. labor is the found4tiOn an
cause oi national prosperity, it is both the dut
and Interest OF the government TO foster an
| Protect it, Its importance. therefore, demand
thc creation Of sn Executive Department Of th
government nj " Ashiug tou, 70 be denoninate
the Department Of Lab 7. which shall aid ]
protecting il above all other Interests
Resolved, That the protection Of life, libert
aud property are the three cardisl principle
OF government, aud the first two more sacre
Tran the latter; therefore, money necessary 70
prosecuting wars should, il is required, b
assessed and collected from the wealth of th
country, aud not be entailed as a burden o
posterity.
Resolved, That the public lands of Cd
uuued States belong to the people, and shout
not be sold to individuals nor granted TO cor
porations, but should be held as a sacred truG
for the benefit Of the people, and should b
granted free of cost 10 landleSs settlers only, i
amounts not exceeding leo acres Of land.
Resolved, That the treaty --nakiDq power Z
the government has no authority in the consti
tuition 10 dispose OF" the pahIic-lands wIthou
The joint sanction of the Senate and Louise q
representatives.