The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-11-18
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION


WHEREAS, The legislation of the country duriI Q
the past few years has apparently been directed and
controlled in the interest Of combined capitalists
creating and sustaining vast monopolies requiring
labor In their employment to be servile anu ODE
dent 70 their commands: making individual en-
terprise dependent on extortonate usurers who
unrestrained by wholesome Laws contract the vol
ume of currency order to the rate ofDterest
thereby checking all legitimate progress in indus
trial enterprise and threatening the liberties Of the
people guaranteed by the Constitution
y AND wnEREAs the National Labor Convention
representing the Trades Unions and BrOtherhoods
OF Mechanics and LabOrers of the country which
was called to assemble at Columbus, Ohio, on the
I'm OF october last having failed TO convene at the
time appointed, caucus meeting OF delegates there
10 decided to adjourn, and authorized A. E. Red.
stone, Esq delegate from California TO make ar
rangements for their meeting in Washington, d. G..
on the 5th Of December:
AND WHEREAS, it is the design and intention OF
raid convention TO construct platform Of prin
ciples, with view to the unication Of the various
organizations OF mechanics and laborers temper
ance and benevolent societies, &C., &c. which 20
70 make up the grand army of progress and re-
form. on some plan Of political actIon independent
of the Republican and Democratic" parties
who have outved their usefulness TO the people and
who, by dividing the industrial classes of soc ETY.
between them, give TO the grasping monopolisis
with their legions of dependents and retainer the
balance OF power in elections, and the almost alb
eolute control Of public affairs. 1t s also the pur
pose OF said convention to prepare an address to
the patriotic people of the United States to unite
and support to National Reform Party in all the
states, TO nominate candidates for the Forty-third
Congress, and send delegates to National Conven-
tion, to be held on the 4th Of July next, to name
candidates for President and Vice President Of the
United states, who shall be pledged to carry out
the principles adopted by said Washington Conven-
ton:
AND WHERKAs, the duty devolyipp on said
Washington Convention being of a highly i'm
portant character 1t 10 deemed wise and expedieot
10 invite the cooperation Of several gentlemen of
national reputation, great ability, and approved
devotion 70 the cause Of labor, in the great work
required in this emergency by the industrial classes
Of the United States Therefore, be ii
Resolved, That q Committee OF Organization be
appointed BY the chairman OF this meeting A. r.
Redstone Eco, delegate from the United Order Of
American Mechanics, to make the necessary ar
Pangements for the reception Of delegates, and to
invite and issue credentials to such known
friends Of political reform as, in the iudo.
ment OF said committee, will give strength
aud vitality to the convention, and ably carry
out the objects nereinbefOre stated Said com
mittee to have general supervision of the move
ment until the convention is organized.
The above was unanimously adopted, and the
chairman made the following appointments to the
Committee Of Organization, viz: Alexander NJ
Kenaaay. A. r. Cavis Il. McMuray subsequently
IN Chairman was on motion. added TO the com
mittee In making these appointments, the chair
Ian made the following remarks:
sIn discharge Of my duty, viii appoint Mr..