The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-15
Platform Of the National Labor Union


Platform Of the National Labor Union.
WHEREAS, " is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the ex sting declaration Of
principles, but to reatirm the same and, for
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof in
a more convenient and coIcise form, with some
additional resolutions; AMI,
WHEREAS, "All political power is inherent in
the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
6t" that all freemen are equal in polit cal
rights, and entitled to the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
of society, as also the US, and the enjoyment OF
the fruits of their labor and tllents and ''no
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 sny laws destructive
these fundamental principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed. To do
so, however, is difficult work when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, prejudiced
and selfshness. Besides, experience shows thas
laboring people are more than others diSpos ct
ITO suffer while evils are sufferable" than organ
ize for their abolition and
WHEREAS, We are admonished by the imper-
iled rights of labor throughout the United
States to organize and sgitate in our behalf,
with the decree, "In the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread" and the adage that "rhe price
of liberty is eternal vigilance enthroned il
our hearts and emblazoned as mottos on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemers, and the spectators and bankers
who are preying like harpes 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 ana
domestic tranquility, be it
Resolved, That the laborers il all depart
ments Of useful industry are suffering from a
system of monetary laws, which were, enacted
during the late war, as measures, il was assumed,
'ne eessary TO the life of the nation,n which is
now sought to be perpetuated in the interests OF
bondholders and bankers as a 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 labor, and subordinate its votaries to
the merciless demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate of interest on money
L Tue governing pONtE III lut ulsbTiDuiipu Vi
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 70 the pro-
ducing classes.
Resolved, That the national banking system
being inimical to the spirit of liberty and sub
versive Of the principles of justice, without war
rant in the constitution OF the United States,
and wrongfally increasing the burdens of the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
uually, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted 70 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 greenbacks, which are not full
egRl tender, should be withdrawn from cIrcula-
tion and their place supplied with a 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 ject 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 in gold of that class of indebt-
edness known as s. 90 bonds, the principal
Of which is legally and equitably payable in law
full MONEYS dishonest and extortonate, and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departu e from the original contract by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any way in
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed obliga-
tiobs of the government
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be so adjusted
as to bear equally on all classes and interests
and that the exemption from taxation OF gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortinOnate rates of in
terest, is a violation OF all Just principles Of re-
venue laws.
| Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff SO to 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 luxuTy,sn up
on such articles of manufacture as, we, having
The raw material in abundance will develon 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 tbs
necessity for the odious 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 wcrkmen. in al
sections Of the country,as will secure the sdop-
ton Of the Eight Hour system, and calls upon
the respective state legislatures to follow tha
example of the National Congress In reeogniz-
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 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 ant
cause Of national prosperity, it is both the duty
and interest of the Government to foster anc
protect it. Its importance, therefore, demand d
the creation Of an Executive Department o
the Government at Washington, to be denomi-
mated the Department Of Labor, which shall aid
in protecting it above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection Of life, liberty
and property are the three cardinal principle:
Of government and the first twosmore sacred
than the latter therefore, money necessary FOL
prosecuting wars shonl5, as it is required, be-
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
country, and not be entailed az burden on pos
terity.
Resolved, That the public lands Of the United
Rates belong TO the people, and should not b
| sold to individuals, nor granted TO corporations
hut should be held as sacred trust for the bene
ct Of the people, and should be granted, free q
cost, to landless settlers only, in amounts no,
exceeding 100 acres of land.
Resolved, That the treaty-making power OF