The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-09-24
Platform of the National Labor Union.

Platform of the National Labor Union.
WHEBEAs, 1t is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration OF
prime pies, but to reaffrm the same; and, for
practical use enunciate the substance thereof in
a more convenient and concise form, with some
additional resolutions (; aud,
WHEREAS, "All political power il inherent in
tie people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
ht:" that all freemen are equal in political
rights and entitled TO the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
of society, as also the use and the enjoyment pl
the fruits of their labor and talents and mo
man or set Of men are entitled to exclusive. Sc
parate emolumeuts, privileges or immunitIes
from the government, but in consideration OF
public services n 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binding force, and should be repealed.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, pref diced
and selfshness. Besides, experience shows thas
laboring people are more than others disposet
"to suffer while evils are sufferable" than organ
lie for their abolition; and
WHEREAS, We are admonished by the imper-
lied rights of labor throughout the United
States to organize and sgitste in our behalf
with the decree, IN the sweat of tie face shalt
thou eat bread, and the adage that "The price
Of liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroneu ID
our hearts aud emblazOned as mottOs on our
banners, assured OF success over corrupt pOlti-
cHl schemers, and the spectators aud 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
jus ice 50 necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility be il
Resolved, That the laborers ia all depart
ments Of useful industry are suffering from a
system of monetary laws, which were enacted
during the late war, measures il assumed,
necessary 10 the life Of the nation" which is
row sought to be perpetua,ed in the interests Of
Londholders and bankers as means to subVert
the government Of our fathers, and establish on
its ruins an empire IN which all political power
shall be centralized to restrain and Cypress the
rights Of l4bor, aud subordinate it's votaries to
he mrrciless 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
~ excess and dspropOrtionate to the increase OF
the national wealth, and oppressive 70 the pro
ducng classes
Resolved, That the national banking system
being inimical to the spirit Of liberty and sub
yersive OF the principles Of Justice, without war
rant in the constitution OF the United States
and wrongtully increasing the burdens of the
wealth producing classes millions of dollars an
nuay, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted 10 the genius Of our institu-
lions and the wants Of the business Of the coun.
try, the circulating notes Of the national banks
and the present grcenbaCks, which are not full
legal tender, should be Withdrawn from elrcua-
- 4 al. L.. a -.
rency based on the wealth of the nation made
legal tender 10 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, subject to
uture legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the OPP
ton of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim Of the bondholders
for payment in gold OF that class Of indebt-
eduess known as 90 bonds, the principal
Of which is legally and equitaby payable in law
full MONEYS dishonest and extOrtionate, and
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original CO. 'ract, BY fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any way in
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed obliga-
tiors Of the government.
Re- olved, That Justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be so adjusted
to bear equally on all classes and interests ::
and that the exemption from taxation OF gov
eminent bonds, bearing ext0rtinOnate rates Of in
terest is violation Of all just principles Of re-
venue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff 20 70 admit tree the necessaries of life
ard such articles of common use as we can nei-
Their produce nor grow also to lay duties for
revenue, mainly upon articles Of luxury,a and up
on such articles Of manufacture as, we, having
:he raw material in abundance, will develop the
resources Of the country; increase the number
Of factories; give employment to more labor
ers, maintain good compensation, cause the i'm
migration Of skilled labor, the lessening of prices
to consumers, the creating of permanent home
market for agricultural products, destroy the
necessity for the odous and expensive system of
internal taxation, and will enable us to sue.
cessfully compete with the manufacturers of Eu-
rope in the markets OF the world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption Of such
measures among all classes Of workmen. 10 all
sections Of the country,a as will secure the adOp-
ton OF the Eight Hour system, and calls upon
the respective state legislatures to follow the
example of the National Congress in recogniz-
ing eight hours as a legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence in our country
OF Ohlneee sdOOfers IN large NUMBERS Is an evil
entailing want ard its consequent train Of
misery aud crime on all other classes Of the
merriam people, and should be prevented, BY
4 legislation.
K -,lved, as labor is the foundation and
iu-- ~ national prosperity, it is both the duty
wa interest Of the Government to foster and
project ~ Its Importance, therefore, demands
fur crerIi OF an Executive Department of
he GJge'nm2nt at Washington, TO be denomi-
mated ,hr Department Of Labor, which shall aid
in net rtrg it above all other interests.
L, -o.v. Y, That the protection Of life, liberty
,I.d roIttiv IRE the three cardinal principles
~ - ~ u u.eui. and the first two more sacred
tn.n he tttf. therefore, moreY necessary Tor
81 sec 4. iu. VAS shanld, as it is required, be
,-sess.d II j collected from the wealth OF the
g, unity and lot be tailed as burden on pos;
& rity.
Resolved, That he uahc lands Of the United
States b, lony "a TIE d, ople, and should not be
sold TO iudiv ia. mr. granted to corporations
but shol q b. D., III a. sacred trust for the bene-
fit OF thc people, ani sh,nli be granted, free of
cost, to Ian less set l-'s only, in amounts not
exceeding 100 acres If iaud.
Resolved, That the treaty making power of
the government has no authority in the consti-
tuition to dispose Of the public lands without
the Joint sanction Of the Semitic and House Of
Representatives