The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-11-19


and taxes, is not Union -aan at heart, and
only wants the opportunity to prove tt
L-Da Moalders Journal.
Just below the platform, on the damp,
black wood Of pump in Newburyport,
Mass, is fungus growth of branch
and twigs ID the exact shape OF an elm
branch on a tree near by. The branch
OF the tree is supposed to have photo
graphed itself on the punp through
hole in the platform. This is the pop
ular view, the scientific opinion hot hav-
ing been obtained.
Platform of the National Labor Union.
WHEREAS, Il Is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but to reafirm the same and, for
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof
IN a more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WEEREAs, "All political power is inherent
in tie people, aud free goyern4ent founded Cd
their author " and esta olshe df fbr their bene-
! f ~ that all freemen are equal In polisi
rights and entitled 70 the largest political and
re- .glous liberty compatible with the good order
OF society, as also the use and the enjoyment OF
the fruits OF their labor and talents and no
man or set OF men are entitled TO exclusive, sep
arate ensoluments, privileges or immunities
from the government, But 70 consideration OF
Y public services n and any laws destructive OF
these fundamental principles are without mora
binding force, and should be repealed. TO do
\ so, however, is a difficult work when such laws
OF usages are interviewer with pride, rejudce
anu selfshness. Besides, experience shows that
4 D. 49, n han nh
to suffer while evils are siderable than or
I ganiIe for their abolition and
1 WHEREAS, We are adnonished by the imper-
I He'd rights OF labor throughout the United
I States 70 organize and agitate in our behalf,
slth the decree, in the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread, and the adage that "The price
! oil liberty 10 eternal vigilance" enthroned in
our hearts and emblazoned as notices on our
81 uners, assured Of success over corrupt poliu-
ca schemers, and tue spectators and bankers
I Who are preying like harpies upon the fruits Of
honest labor, and thds restore to our political
ard social system that equilibrium pi rights and
Justice 50 Necessary 70 good government and
IL nestle tranquility, be It
Re. olved, That the lAborers in AL departments
of useful INDUSTRY are suffering from system
of monetary laws, which were understanding
tile late wal, AS me lsures, it was assumed, nee
essary 10 the life Of the nation" which is now
sought TO be perpetuated in the interest Of
0oudholders aud bankers "a a means TO suovert
the government Of our fathers, and establish OF
its ruins an empire in which all political power
I shall be centralized to restrain and Cypress the
r ghts OF labor, and subordinate its votaries TO
/ lie merchess demands of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate OF interest on money
1 i tile governing power in the distribution OF
/ tie products OF industry aud enterprise between
capital and labor and that the present. rates are
m excess and dispropOrtonate TO the Increase
II the national wealth, and 7pressiVc TO the
/ producing classes.
/ Resolved. That the national banking syste m
I being inm cal to the spirit Of liberty and sub
yersiye Of The principles Of justice, without Sar
rant in tile constitution OF the United states,
and wronsiully increasing the burdens Of the
weailh-prUducing classes millions OF dollars an
Y nua.ly, justice demands its repeal.
! Resolved, That TO protide a true national
I currency adapted to the genius ofour institu-
I tons dthe wants of the. business Of the coun
try, the circulating NOES Qt the national banks,
I and the present greeubs cks, whicrare nota full
! legal tender should be Withdrawn from ciroula .
/ tion and their place supplied with paper cur
rency based OH tho wealth Of the nation T, made
a legal tender in the payment Of all debts, pub
/ lie and private declared the lawful money Of
the United States aud convertible at the plea
( sure Of 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 OPP
tion of the holder
! Resolved, That the claim Of tie bondbolders
tor payment in gold Of that class of indebted
uess Known as $40 bonds, the principal Of
which i legally aud equitably payable in lawful
moneys dishonest and eXtorti0hate, anc
! hence we Cnter our solemn protest against any
/ departure irom the original contract, by fund
/ ing the debt ia long bonds, or in any way IN
/ creasing the gold bearing and untaxed Obga-
J 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
ernment bonds, bearing eztortionate rates Of
! interest, is a violation Of all Just principles Of
/ revenue laws.
I Resolved That congress should modify the
tariff % as to admit free the pecessares OF lie
and such articles OF common use as we can mel
ther produce nor grow; also to lay duties for
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury aud up.
on such articles of manufIcture as-we having
! the raw material in abuadence-will develop.
tue resources OF the country, increase the mum
Der of factories, give employment to more la
5orers, maintain good Computation, cause the
Oi ekllle0 laOOrs the leeSenlnS Oi
prices to consumers, the ereating of peFma-
nent home market for sgricnltHEal products,
destroy the necessity for the oii6us and expen.
sve system Of internal taxation, and will soon
enable US 70 successfully compete with the mani
uiacturers 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
sections Of the country, as will secure the adop
ton OF the ight hour system, and call upon the
respective state Legislatures 70 follow the en-
ample Of the National Congress ia recognizing
eight hours as legal DAVIS work
Resolved, That the Essence in our country
OF Chinese laborers ~ large numbers is an EVIL
entsiiing want and is consequent train Of mis-
cry and crime On IN other classes Of the
American people, and should be prevented BY
legislation.
Resolved, As labor is the foundation and
cause OF national prosperity, il is both the duty
and interest OF tile government to foster and
protect it. Its importance, therefore, demands
the creation Of on Executive Department Of the
government at Washington, to be denofninated
the Departments Of Labor, which shall aid In
protecting il above all other interests.
Resolved, That the proteetioa of life, liberty
aud property are the three cardinal principles
OF government, and the first two more sacred
than the latter; therefore, money necessary for
prosecuting. wars should, as il is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealth OF the
country, and not be entailed as burdcl on
posterity.
Resolved, That tie public lands Of she
United States belong to the people, and shcald
not be sold 70 indiyiduals nor granted 70 COR
pcrations but should DO held a. sacred trust
for the benefit Of the people, and should be
granted free Of cost to laudiess settlers only, in
amounts not exceeding IL" .--ls I'd lH-T
Resolved, That thg treaty power Of
the government has no authority h the consti-
tuition to dispose Of" She public lands without
the jaint sanction Of the Senate and HOUSE Of
keprI -tatiyes.