The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-02-11
Platform of the National Labor Union

1ldblOIm u Luo ~ AL1Oudl 4AUUI OuIUu
WHKREAs, Il is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but to rcafirn the same and, for
practical Hse, enunoiate the substance tAoreof
in more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions and, ..
WExRsAs, IAN political power is Inherent
in the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
htS thst ~ Hsepsen arc, sqsl 10 Political
rights, and entitled to the largest politcll aud
religious liberty compatible with the goodiOr
Of society, as afso tic use and the enjoyment Of
the fruits OF their slAboF and talents and mo
man or set Of M n are entitled 10 exclusive, sep
arate emolumcnts, privileges or immuDities
from the Government, bat 10 eonside ration Of
pablo services y and any Laws destructive or
these fundamental principles are without moral
bihdiBE farce, and should be repealed. To do
SO, however, is a difficult work when such Ia VS.
or ussgcs are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and sel6shDess. Besides, experience shows that
laboriDg people are more than others disposed
" to suffer while evils are sufferable" than or
ganize fortheir sbdidon; sEd
WHEREAS, We are sdmOnished by the imper-
lied rghts Of labor bhFouehont the United
States % organize snd sgitste W our behalf,
with the decree. I'm the sweat of the face shalt
bnOu cat UTCdu,F stn0 th0~ u0dkc tuAt 1uU pTlCe
of liberty 10 eternal vigilance" enthrObed in
our hearts and emblaxo notices on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt pOliti-
cal schemers, and the spectators and bankers
who are preyisg IKE harpies upon che fruits of
honest labor, and thus restore to our political
and social system that equilibrium Of rights and
justice so necessary to good government aud
domestic tranquility, be il
III -
Of useful industry are suffering from svstes
Of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war, as measures, it Was assumed, nee
essary to the life Of The nation" whichIs nov
sought to be perpetuated In the interest Of
bOndhOideFs aud bankers as a means Ia subvert
the government Of our fathers, and establish ON
its ruins an empire in which all political Do Se
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 GA money
is lie governing power in the distribution Of
the products Of industry aud enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and 'disprOPortionate ~ The Increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive TO the
producing clssses. ~
Resolved. That the national banking system
being iaiHacal TO the spirit Of liberty and sub
ttTSiNe vi INC VI WIbUOub WAT
rant in the constitution OF the United States,
aud wrongiully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, Justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That 70 provide q true national
carreBcy adapted Co the genius Of our ihstitu--
tons aud the wants of the business If THE coull
try, the circulating notes of the national banks,
and the present grecnbacks, which not full
lee al tender, should be withdrawn from ercula
ton aud their place supplied with paper cur-e
rcncy based on the wealth OF the ~; made
a legal tender in the payment OF all debts, pub
lie aud private declared the lawful money Of
the United States and convertible at the pic a.
sure al the holder into government bonds bear.
ieg 8 per cent. interest per ABRum, subject TO
inture Legislation nv congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the OPP
ton Of the holder.
Resolved, That the clslns Of the bondhoIders
Tor payment in gold Of shat class Of indebted
ness known as s. 70 bonds, the principal Of
which is legally aud equitaby payable in lawful
noney-is dishonest and extortiohate, and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any way in
ereasine the gold bearilA and untaxed Obliga-
tons of the gUVernmeRt
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
deus of the governments should be 80 adjusted
4 to bear equally on all classes and interests !;
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortionate rates of
Interest, is violation of all just principles OF
revenue lava
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff as to admit free the necessaries Of life
and such articles OF common ase AZ can nell
ther produce nor grow; also to lay duties for
revenue mainly upon articles OF luxury and up
or snen articles Of manufacture as-We having
the raw material in abundance--will develop
the resources OF the country, increase the num-
Der of factories give employment to more Ia
borcrs, maintain good compensation, cause the
immigration OF skiled labor. the lessening Of
prices to consumers, the creating Of perma-
nent home market for agricultural products,
destroy the necessity for the odiOus and expen-
sive system Of internal taxation, and will soon
enable US to successfully compete with the man
ulacturers Of Europe in the markets of the
world
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption Of such
measures among all classes Of WorkmeD, in all
sections of the country, as will secure the adop
too of the eight hour system, and call upon the
respective state Legislatures to follow the eI-
ample Of the National Congress in recognizing
eight hours as a legal days work.