The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-08-27

"IlaVng thus pointed out some of th
causes of the wrongs and grievances q
which the workingmen complain, and th
dangers TO our institutions from the name
in which the Government has, and is no,
being administered, your attention is speci
ally invited to the following declarations
which contain the substance of the remedia
measures proposed:
LIST. To provide true national curren
cy adapted to the genius of our Govern
ment, and the wants of the people. tn,
National Bank currency and the presen
Greenbacks-which are not full lega
tender-should be withdrawn from circuIa
ton and their places supplied with pape
currency, made. legal tender in the paymer
OF all debts, public and private, duties CT
imports included, and declared the Lawful
money Of the United States, and convert
IDLE, at the pleasure Of the holder, into
Government Bonds, bearing three per cent
interest. The Bonus likewise convertible
into this lawful money, at the option of the
holder, thus furnishing a currency, uniform
10 value, and at all times adequate to the
demands Of the trade and business Of the
country.
I'd. While we are iu favor Of keeping
the utmost good faith with all parties, we
enter our earnest protest against any depart
ure from the original contract, by funding
the public debt in long bonds, or in any way
increasing the gold paying, untaxed obliga-
tons of the Government. We are in favor
of discharging that portion Of the debt
heretofore contracted, which is by the law
creating it, made payable in gold, in that
commodity. and paying the same at the
earliest possible moment; but we insist
that all other forms of Indebtedness, in
clu9ing the principal Of the 500 bonds,
shall be Paid at the earliest option Of the
Government, in the legal tender currency
of the United States.
Sd. Another important question de-
handing the immediate and earnest atten-
ton Of the people, is the management of
the public domain. 1t is impossible to rev
:.hout alarm, the manner in which the
birth right Of the people is being squaDdered
upon corporate mOnopolies. IF it shall pass
beyond their reach while the present unjust
laws of distribution are in force, instead of
our Government being an asylum for the
oppressed of other nations, it will be an en-
CINE in the hands Of an INSCRIPTIONS money
oligarcby, for the oppression and degrade
dations of IFS own citizens. We therefore
hold, that the only safe course to pursue, is
to prohibit the sale or donation of single
acre, to any individual or corporation, ex-
cept for actual occupancy and use as home
steads.
18th. In our judgment, one of the most
important questions which has ever been
presented to the American people, since the
organization of the Government, is the
CoOlie trade, or Chinese labor. 1t is hard
ly possible, with the light VIC have, to prop
erly estimate the importance for eriI which
the introduction Of this new element will
exert on the social and moral condition q
society. That it will be pernicious in Il
0=is~.-A-rA;ls t1.suy U0IstrUC ~ COnc uL1eT
the contract system, is morally certain, and
that common laborers will come in any
other capacity is extremely doubtful. Their
introduction on large scale will create
caste in society, degrade labor, and practi-
cally restore the feudal system.
The claim that the object is to christian
ize these pagans is the merest typocritical
cant; avarice, and net benevolence, is the
motive influencing the parties engaged in
this base traffic. There is greater probabil
ity Of paganizing our institutions than Of
christianizing the Celestials.
Therefore, while we welcome to our shores
all who seek to work with us for our coun-
try's good, we will oppose the introduction
of servile labor, come from whatever quar-
ter it may, to undermine the prosperity Of
American Workingmen.
9th. War expenses as they occur should
be assessed upon, and collected from the
wealth of the country, which the war pro-
tects, that the citizen soldier who has fought,
shall not be burdened with the debt, on his
return from bis country's battles. When
the emergency arises for calling or con-
scripting men to FIJI the ranks Of the army
alike exigency exists for taking property
on the same conditions If the Govern
ment commands the service Of the soldier,
rescrving the right to fix his compensation,
it has an equal right, and the duty is equal
ly imperative to take property, reserving
the right to fix the value, and mode Of pay
ment
In conclusion, we ask that you will d.
rect your reply to NATIONAL LABOR UN-
ION, Detroit, Michigan, on or before the
18th day of August next
R. +. TREVELLICK, President.
A. CAMPBELL, Chairman Executive
| Committee ~ Z. u