The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-01
Platform Of the National Labor Union.

tAaIIOi Ill OF the national LABOR Union.
WaEEls, Il is not deemed advisable t.
change Or modify tie existing declaration Of
principles but NJ rcafirm the same and, for
aractica! use, cnunciatt the substance thereof in
more convenient and concise form, with some
additional resolutions and,
WHEREAS, "All political power j. inherent in
Jhc people, and free government founded On
their gutLority ana established for their benc-
On ~ that all ffecmen are equal in political
nights, and entitled TO the largest political and
religion, liberty compatible with the good order
NJ society, AS also the use and the enjoyment Of
Jhe fruits DC their labor and talents and "no
man or sot 81 men are entitled to exclusive. Sc
narat- emoluments, privileges or immunue,
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binding force, and should be repealed.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 DC
SO, however, Is difficult work when such Law.
or usagcs are interviewer with pride, prejudicel
mud ,tlh-hnysS. Besides, experience shows tina,
labOring people are more than others disposet
" suffer while evils are sutfcrable" than organ
ize for their abolition; and
WHEEFAs, We are admonished by the imper-
lied tights Of labor throughout the United
states 70 organize and sgitate in our behalf
chou eat bread, and the adage that "Tbe price
ot liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned 10
our hearts and cmbaZOued as mOttos on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt politi-
cal sC1emers, and the spectators and banker,
who are proving ike harpies upon the fruits OF
honest labor and thus restore to our political
ana social system that equilibrium OF rights and
justice so necessary to good government ana
domestic tranquility, be it
Resolved, That the laborcrs in all depart
ments Of useful Industry are suffering from a
system OF monetary laws, which were enacted
during the late war AZ measures it was assumed,
necessary to the life Of the nation" which is
now sought TO be perpetuated in the interests OF
boudholdcr- and bankers as means 70 subVcrt
the government Of our fathers, and establish on
its ruins an empire m which all political pO~rr
shah be centralized 70 restrain and Cypress the
rights Of labor, aud subordinate its yotaries TO
the merciics- demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate Of interest Oh money
= the governing power in the distribution Of
The products OF industry and enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
m excess ari di-proportiouate to the increase Of
,lc national wealth, ami oppressive to the pro
iuUug classes
Resolved That tie national banking system
icing iEimcll o. the spirit Of liberty and sub
vcrsiye Of the principles Of justice, without war
rant IN the constitution o. the United States,
ana wroH gully Increasing the burdens Of the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted 70 tie genius Of our institu-
tions and the wants Of Une business Of the coun-
try, the circulating notes Of the national banks,
aud the present greenbacks, Which are not a full
] legal tender should be withdrawn from circula-
tion ard their place supplied with a paper cur
rency based on the wealth Of tie nation made
a legal tender in the payment Of all debts, pub
Tic and private declared the lawful money Of
the United States and convertible at the plea
sure Of the holder into government bonds bear
irg per cent interest per annum, subject to
future 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 ia gold Of that class Of indebt-
educss known as % bonds, the principal
Of which is legally and cquitably payable l.. law
M MONEYS dishonest and extortiOnate, and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds in any way in
crcasing the gold bearing and untaXed obliga-
tiols 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
eminent bonds, bearing extorJinonate rates Of in
terest, l. violation oi all just principles Of re-
venue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff 50 as to admit free the necessaries of life.
ard such articles Of common use as we can nei-
= IN Ia FIR
revenue, mail " upon articles Of luxury, and up
on such articles o. manufacture as we, having
she raw mat ial in abundance, will develop the
resources Of .Le 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 a permanent home
market for agricultural products, destroy the
necessity for the odous and expensive system OF
internal taxation, and will soon 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. in all
sections Of the c0untry,as will secure the ad0p-
(. On Of the Eight Hour system, and calls upon
the respective state legislatures to follow the
exnr. Die Of the National Congress in recogniz-
ing eight hours as legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence IN our country
of Chinese laborers in large numbers is an evil
entailing want ard lis consequent train OF
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, i il both the duty
ana interest Of the Government to foster and
protect IT. Its Importance, therefore, demands
the creation Of On Executive Department OF
the Government 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, aud the first two more sacred
than the latter; therefore, moreY necessary for
wars shonld, as it Is required, be
ass, ssed and collected from the wealth OF the
country, and not be entaied as burden on pos;
teritv.
Resolved, That the public lands Of the United
Rates belong TO the people, and should not be
sold TO individuals, nor granted TO corporations
but should be held a sacred trust for the bene-
fit of the people, and should be granted, free Of
cost, to landless settlers only, in amounts not
exceeding loo acres Of land
Resolved, That the treaty-making power ~
the government has no authority in the eonsti-
tuition to dispose of the public lands without
the joint sanction Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives.