The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-02-18

binding force, and should be repealed To do
90, however, in dificult work when such laws
usages are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and selhshness. Besides experience shows that
laboring people are more than others disposed
" to suffer while evils are siderable" than or
ganiEe for their abolition; and
WHEREAS, We are admonished BY the imper.
illed rights Of labor throughout the United
States to organize and Agitate in our behalf
with the decree, SIN the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread" and e..adage that The price
Of liberty 10 eternal vigilance" enthroned in
our hearts and emblazoned as notices on our
banners, assured of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemers, and the spectators and 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
justice SO necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility, be il
Resolved, That the laborers in all partments
OF useful industry are suffering from system
Of monetary laws which were enacted during
the late war,a measures, it was assumed. ''nec-
essary to the life of the nation,' whichis now
sought to be perpetuated in the interest of
bondholders and bankers q means to suhvert
the government of our fathers, and establish on
its ruins an empire in which all political mower
shall be centralized to restrain and oppress the
rights Of labor, and subordinate its votaries 10
the merclless demands of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate Of interest on money
is the governing power 10 the distribution II
the products of industry and enterprise betweeu
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and disproportionate to the increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking svstem
being inimical to the spirit Of liberty and sub
versive Of the principles Of justice, without war
rant in the constitution OF the United Sta tes
and wrongfully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions of dollars an
nually, justice demands it's repeal.
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted to the genius of Osr institu-
tons and the Eabts Of the business of the coun
try, the circulating notes Of the national banks
and the present greenbacks which are not full
legal tender, should be Withdrawn from circula
ton and their place supplied with 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
/ hiB per Ccus. luSSIcob per hDnum, SUD leCt te
liture legislation by congress. The bonds like.
wise convertible into lawful money, at the Cd
ton of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim of the bondhoIder,
for payment in gold Of that class of indebted
ness known as 500 bonds, the principal O
which is legally and equitably payable in Lawful
MONEYS dishonest and extortiohate AnC
hence we enter our solemn protest against an,
departure from the original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any way in
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed obliga-
tons of the government.
Resolved, That justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be 90 adjusted
AZ to bear equally on all classes and interests
and that the exemption from taxation of gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortionate rates o
interest, is violation OF all just principles o
| revenue laws
Resolved, That congress should modify tht
tariff so as to admit free the necessaries of liE
and such articles Of common use as We can mel
Their produce nor grow; also to lay duties fo
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and IN
on sucn articles of manufacture as-we having
the raw material in abundance-will develoI
the resources of the country, increase the mum
Der of factories, give employment to more Ia
borers, maintain good compensation, cause th,
immigration Of skilled labor. the lessening o
prices to consumers, the creating Of a perma
nent home market for agricultural products
destroy the necessity for the odious and expen
sive system of internal taxation, and will soor
enable US TO successfully compete with the man
ufacturers Of Europe in the markets of th,
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress,
earnestly recommend the adoption of sucl
measures among al classes Of workmen, in al
sections Of the country, as will secure the adop
ton of the eight hour system, and call upon thC
respective state legislatures to follow the ex-
ample of the National Congress in recognizing
eight hours a. 4 y gal CAV wOrs
i.ess'vs-, khst re presenee "A our e. .bsr,
I OF Chinese lsbcr~rs IN large Numbers u sa evl
eRi ling want ard - consequent t-sla nj inss
.sry an crime ~ ~ otter glasses "a "a,
American people, and should be prevented b.
legislation.
Resolved, As labor 10 the foundation ant
cause OF national prosperity. it is both the dut,
and interest Of the government to foster ant
protect it Its Importance, therefore, demand
the creation OF an Executive Department Of tn
government at Washington, 70 be denominatet
the Department of Labor, which shall aid Il
protecting it above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection of life, hbert,
aud property are the three cardinsl principles
OF government, and the first two more sacre,
than the latter; therefore, money necessary 70
prosecuting wars should as il is required, b.
assessed and collected from the wealth Of tn
country, aud not be entailcd as a burden OF
pOsterity.
Resolved, That the public lands of tn
United States belong to the people, and shOul,
not be sold to individuals nor granted 70 cor
porations, but should be held as a sacred trus
Tor the benefit Of the people, and should b.
granted free Of cost to landless settlers only, il
amounts not exceeding $50 acres Of land
Resolved, That the treaty-making power o
the government has no authority in the cOnsti
tuition to dispose Of" The public lands wIthou
the joint sanction of the Senate and House o
Representatives.