The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-03-18
Platform of the National Labor Union.

WHEREAs. Ii is not deemed advisable 70
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but TO reatirn the same and, 10
nrsctical use. enuuciate the substance thereof
in a more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAS. "All political power is inherent,
in the penple. and free government founded on
their authority and established for their hene-
&c J" that all freenTen are equal IN political
rights. and entitled 10 tbe largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
of society, AS also tn use aud the enjoyment of
tbe fruits Of their :labor and talents; and mo
man or set Of mn are entitled 80 exclusive, sep
arate emolumcnts, privileges or immuBi,Ies
from the government, but ia consideration Of
npblic services :" and any laws dest ructve 0
these fundamental principle are without mora
bidding force, and should b. 2ealed. T. do
so. however, is a difficult W. yhen such laws
Or usagcs are intrrwoven wit pride. prejudice
and selfshness Besides, experience shows that
laboring people are more than Others disposed
to suffer while evils are suferable" than Or
ganize for their abolition and
WHEREAS, We are admonished by the imper-
illed rights OF labor throughout the United
States TO organize and ag'ate in our behalf,
With the decree an the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread, and the sdage that The price
Of liberty is eternal vi-ilAnce," enthroned m
our hearts and emblazoned as notices on our
banners assured Of success over corrupt pOiti-
cal schemeIs and the spectators and bankers
who are proving like harpies upon the fruits Of
honest LABOR, and thus restore to our political
and social system thai equilibrium OF rights and
Justice so necessary TO good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
Resolved That the Ia9orcrs in al apartment;
OF useful industry are suffering from system
| Of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war,as measures, Il was a-sumed, nee
essary to the life of the nation" whichIs uow
sought to be perpetusted in the interest Of
bondhoIders and bankers a means to su5vert
| the government Of our fathers, and establish on
I its ruins an empire in which all political power
shall be cel ralized TO restrain and Cypress the
| rights OF labor, and subordinate is vOtares &c
the merciess demands Of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate Of iaterest on money
ia Tie governing power 10 the distribution Of
the products ofindustry aud enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and dispropOrIionste 70 the increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive 20 tbs
producing classes.
l Resolved That the national banking system
being inimcal to tie spirit Of liberty and sub
versive Of the principles ofjustice, without war
rant ia the constitution OF the United Sta ties
and wrongiully increasing the burdens Of tn
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide a true nationa
currency adapted 70 the gen IS Of our institu-
tons and the wants of the business Of the cOun
try, the circulating notes Of the national banks
and the present greenbacks, which are not a ful
leg al tender, should be Withdrawn from circua
ton and their place supplied with paper cur
rency based on the wealth of the nation mad
a legal tender in the payment of all debts, pub
lie and private declared the lawful money 0
the United States and convertible at the plea
sure Of the holder into government bonds bear
ing 3 per cent. interest per annum, sui iect Z
.uture legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the Cd
J ton of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim of the bondhOlder
ter payment in gold of that class of indebted
ness known as $40 bonds, the principal
which is legally and equtably payable in lawfl
: MONEYS dish nest and extOrtiGhate, an
hence We enter our solemn protest against AL
departure from she original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or IN any "ay II
creasins the gold bearing and untaXed ODhga
items Of the government
Resolved, That justice demands that the bu
dens Of the government should be 80 asJuste
As to bear equally on all classes and Interest
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
ernmeut bonds, bearing eXtOrtionate rat-s
interest, is a violation OF all just principles
r, venue laws
Resolved That congress should modify q
tariff so as TO admit free the necessaries II u
and suSh articles Of common use as We can ne