The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-29
Platform Of the National Labor Union

pouuNss
Platform Of the National Labor Union.
WHEREAS, Il is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration OF
principles but to reaffirm the same; and, for
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof in
a more convenient aud concise form, with some
additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAS, "All political power is inherent in
the people and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
fit !" that all freemen are equal in political
rights, and entitled to the largest political . d
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, as also the use and the enjoyment OF
the fruits Of their labor and tIlents 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 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binding force, and should BE- repealed.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 interviewer with pride, prejudced
and seliishness Besides, experience shows thas
laboring people are more than others disposet
ITO suffer while evils are sufferable" than organ
ize for their abolition; and
WHEREAS, We are admonished by the imper-
States to organize and sgitate ia our behalf
with the decree lin the sweat Of the face shalt
thou cat bread" and the adage that The price
Of liberty is eternal vigilance enthroned il
our hearts aud 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 political
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
ments Of useful industry are suffering from q
system Of monetary laws, which were enacted
during the late war, as measures il was assumed
necessary 10 the life Of the nation" which il
now sought to be perpetuated in the interests OF
bono holders and bankers as a means TO subEert
the government Of our fathers, and establish on
its Tins an empire IN which all political power
shall be centralized to restrain and Cypress the
rights of labor, and subordinate its votaries to
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
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
IN excess and disproportionate to the increase OF
the national wealth, and oppressive 20 the pro-
ducing classes.
Resolved, That the national banking system
being inmcal % the spirit Of liberty and sub
versive Of the princp piles Of justice. without war
rant in the constitution OF the United States,
and wrongfully increasing the burdens Of the
wes b producing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted 10 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 greenbacks, which are not full
legal tender, should be Withdrawn from clrcula
tion and their place supplied with paper cur
rency based on the wealth of the nation made
a legal tender in the payment Of all debts, pub
lie 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 iect to
future legislation by congress The bon1s like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the OPP
ton of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim of the bondhoIders
for payment in gold OF that class Of indebt-
edness known as 90 bonds, the principal
of which is legally and equitaOly payable in law
full MONEYS dishonest and extortionate, and
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, BY fund
creasing the gold bearing and uutaxed oblga.
tiobs Of the government.
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
dens OF the government should be 50 adjusted
as to bear equally on all classes and interests
and that the exemption from taxation OF gov
ernment bonds, bearing extortinonate rates of in
terest, is a violation OF all just principles of re-
venue laws
Resolved, That congress should modify th,
tariff so as to admit free the necessares OF life
ard such articles Of common use as we can nei-
Their produce nor grow; also to lay duties fo
revenue, mainly upon articles of luxury, and uD
on such articles of manufacture as, we, hayin,
The raw material in abundance, will de1 - thu
re- ources OF the country; increase the be-
Of factories give employment to more Ia0or-
ers, maintain good compensation, cause the i'm
migration OF skilled labor, the lessening of price
to consumers, the creating Of a permanent bonn,
market for agricultural products, destroy ID,
necessity for the odiOus and expensive system o
internal taxation, and will soon enable us to sue
cessfully compete with tie manufacturers Of Eu
rope in the markets OF the world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption of sucl
measures among all classes of workmen. 10 al
sections of the couutry,as will secure the sdop-
ton OF the Eight Hour system, and calls upoI
the respective state legislatures to follow thi
example Of the National Congress in recogniz-
ing eight hours as a legal days work
Resolved, That the presence in our country
Of Chinese laborers in large numbers is an evil
entailing want ard its consequent train O.
misery aud crime ON all other classes Of the
American people, and should be prevented, BY
legislation.
Resolved, as labor is the foundation and
cause of national prosperity, it is both the duty
and interest Of the Government to foster and
protect il. Its importance, therefore, demand:
the creation of an Executive Department OIL
the Governm ant at Washington, to be denomi-
mated the Department OF Labor, which shall aid
in protecting 1t 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, morey necessary for
prosecuting wars shonld as il is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
country, and not be entaised as a burden on pos:
terity.
Resolved, That the public lands Of the United
Rates belong TO the people, and should not be
sold 70 individuals, nor granted 70 corporations
but should be held as sacred trust for the bene.
it Of the people, and should be granted, free Of
cost, to lsndless settlers only amounts not
exceeding 100 acres of land
Resolved, That the treaty -naking me- ~
the government has no authority in the &Hs,;-
tuition 20 ''dispose Off the public lands VI ~,
the joint sanction Of the Semitic and Hoo ~ !,
Representatives,,