The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-01
PLATFORM
National Labor OOlOred Convention
ADOPTED DEC. 8, 1865

tucTciOrS,
Resolved, That labor was instituted by Al
mighty God, as . means of revealing the rich
sndowments of inanimate creation to be under
stood and used by man, and that labor is a duty
common to and the natural heritage of the
human family, each person having natural
right TO labor in any field of industry for which
be or she is capacitated, the rights to be govern
ed and restricted only by laws OF political
economy. st.-agr-.
Resolved, That capital Is age 4 or means
used by labor for its development, and support,
and labor is an agent or means used by capital
for its development and general enhancement,
and that for the well being aud produetiveness
of capital and labor, the best harmony of fellow
ship and action should at all times prevail, that
" strikes" may be avoided, aud the workman
convinced that justice is done him, and that he
is receiving an equivalent for the labor per-
formed
Resolved, That there should be q frequent in
terchauge Of opinions upon all questions affect
ing alike the employer and employed, and that
cooperation for the purpose of protection and
the better remuneration of labor is q sure and
safe method, invading ne specific rights, but is
alike beneficial to the whole community,
aud TENDS to the working classes to higher
achievements and positions in society, presents
the necessity Of and increases the desire to give
the practice of economy in the distribution Of
their earnings, and accelerates the accumulation
Of wealth, with all the happiness and must ne
cessarily ensue therefrom.
Resolved, That intemperance is the natural
foe and curse of the American family, especially
the working classes, it's terrible effects being to
disease, corrupt and otherwise dis6gure and
destroy the constitution, producing vice, crime,
and poverty where peace and plenty would
otherwise exist
Resolved, That education is one of the strong
est safeguards of the Republican party, the b1l
wark Of American citizens, and defence
against the invasion of the rights Of man its
liberal distributions to all, without regard to
race creed or sex, is necessary for the well being
aud advancement of society, and that all should
eLioy its blessing alike 10 each Of the States and
Territories Of the United States that educated
labor is more productive, is worth and com
mands higher rates OF wages, is less dependent
upon capital therefore il is essentially neces-
sary to the rapid and permanent development
Of the agricultural, manufacturing, and me
chanical growth and interests of the nation that
there shall be liberal free school system enact
ed by the Legislatures of the several States for
the benefit Of all the inhabitants thereof
Resolved, That the Government of the United
States, republican in form, is government of
the people, for the people, and by the people !;
and that all men are equal in political rights
and entitled to the largest political and reli-
gious liberty compatible with the good order of
society; as, also, the use and enjoyment of the
fruits Of their labor and talents and that no
laws should be made by any legislative body to
the advantage of one class and against the in
terest and advantage of the other, but T. at all
legislation for the benefit Of all the people of
any particular State, and of the United States,
to the end that loyalty to and love for the insti
tutions and the government Of the United States
should be permanent consideration with all
] the citizens thereof
Divine Providence for the immense natural re-
sources that are within the geographical limits
Of the United States Of America, whereby the
application Of diligent and patient labor is
capable of producing from our earth all the ne
cessities for human existence and the comfort
of man, and from its vast and unbouuded sup
ply has become the greatest moral agent known
20 man, In that it affords refuge for the op-
pressed Of al lands, to improve their condition,
and, by the influence Of our institutions, elevate
them to their proper standard of manhood its
reboInding influence is to destroy the tyranny
and despotlsm Of the Old World.
Resolved, That we feel it to be q duty that
we owe to ourselves, to society, and to our
country to encourage by all means within our
reach, industrial habits among orr people, the
learning of trades and professions by our chill
dren without regard to sex to educate and i'm
press them with the fact that all labor is
honorable and sure road to wealth that
habits of economy and temperance combined
with industry and education, are the great safe
guard Of free republican institutions, the eleVa-
tor of the condition of man, the motive power
to increase trade and commerce, and to make
the whole of this land the wealthiest and hap
piest of the face of the globe
Resolved, That regarding the labor of tie
country, the common property Of the people. no
portion should be excluded therefrom because
| Of geographical division of the globe in which
they or their forefathers we're born, or on ac-
court Of status or color, but that every man or
woman should receive employment according to
MS or her ability to perform the labor re-
CURED, without any other test that the ex
clusion OF colored men, and apprentices from
the right to labor in any department. Of industry
or workshops, in any Of the States and Terri
torres OF the United States, by what 10 known
as trades unions, is 40 insult to God, injury
to US, and disgrace to humanity while we ex.
tend free and welcome hand to the free immi-
grafton Of labor of oil nationalities, we emphati-
cslly deem imported, contract, cooIie labor to
De positive injury to the working people Of the
United States-is but the system of slavery In a
new form, and we appeal TO the Congress of the |
United States to rigidy enforce the act or 1852,
prohibiting coolie importations, and to enact
such other laws as will best protect and free
American labor against this or any similar form
Of slavery.
Resolved, That We do not regard capital as
the natural eEemy Of labor that each is Deepen |
dent on the other for the existence that the |
great conflict daily waged between them is for |
Of n halter nd H.
representatives. Of capital and labor, and we there
fore recommend the study Of political economy
IN all OF our labor organisations as a means to
understand the relationships of labor to capital, |
ana As bass for the adjournment of many of
the disputes that arise between employer and |
employe.
Resolved, That we recommend the establish
ment oil cooperative workshops, land, building
ana loan associations among people as a
remedy against their exclusion from other
workshops on account of color, as a means of
furnishing employment, as we'll as a protection
against the aggression of capital and as the
easiest and shortest method Of enabling every
man to procure homestead for his family; and
TO accomplish this end we would particularly
impress the greatest Importance Of the obser-
vance OF diligence in business, and the practice
OF rigid economy in our ocial and domestic ar
rangements
nesoNeu' mat we regard the use of intoxicat-
ing liquors as the most damaging and damnabIe
habits Practlced BY the human family; that we
denonnce the Infamous practice planters have Of
orenchlng their employees with this poisonous
drug with or without cost. intended to stuDefv
their brain and incapacitate them to know the
condition of their accounts, the value OF their
labor, and to rob them of their sense and feel
ings OF humanity; that We appeal to our people
to discountenance the use of intoxicating
liquors, because Of is effects to shorten life and
because it is the great cause Of 50 much misery
and poverty among the working classes os the
country ana We advise the organization Of
temperance associations as a necessary ins,ru.
ment for the speedy and permanent elevation Of
our people.
Resolved, That we regard education as one of
the greatest blessings that the human family
enjoys, and that We earnestly appeal to our fell
low citizens to ALLOW no opportunity, no matter