The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-07-29
Platform Of the National Labor Union.

WHEREAS. 1t is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
prime 5les, but to reafhrn the same and, for
practical use, enuncate the substance thereof
in a more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; aud,
WHEREAS, "All political power is inherent
in the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
I'll !" that all treemen equal in political
rights, and entitled TO the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, as also the use s13 the enjoyment of
the fruits OF their labor and taleEts and 'no
man or set Of men are entitled to exclusive, sep
arate emolumcnts, privileges or immunties
from the government, but in consideration Of
pusic services !" aud any laws destructive Of
these fundamental principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed To do
so, however, is a difficult work when such laws
or usAges are interviewer with pride, pref udice
and seihshness. Besides, experience shows that
laboring people are more than others disposed
" to suffer while evils are siderable" than or
gsnize for their abolition and
WHEREAS, We are admonished by the imper-
illed rights of labor throughout the United
States 10 organize and agitate in our behalf,
.,th the decree, I'm the sweat Of the face shalt
chou eat bread, and the adage that 1.-The price
our hearts and emblazoned as notices our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemeIs, and the spectators and bankers
who are preying like harpies upon the fruits Of
honest laoor, aud thus restore to our political
aud social system that equilibrium oil rights and
Justice 80 necessary TO good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
Re olved That the laborers in all department .
useful INDUSTRY suffering from system
Of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war, as measures, it was assumed, "nec
essary to the life of the nation" whlchls now
sought TO be perpetuated in the interest Of
bondholders aud bankers a. a means to su5vert
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 merclless demands of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate of interest on money
10 the 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 to the increase
of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inmcal to the spirit of liberty and sub
versive of the principles Of justice, without war
rant in the constitution Of the United States,
and wrongfully increasing the burdens Of the
wealth producing classes millions of dollars an
nually, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide true national
currency adapted to the genius 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 full
4 legal tender, should be withdrawn from circula
ton and their place supplied with q paper cur
rency based on the wealth OF the nation made
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
4 ing 5 per cent interest per annum, sui ject to
7 future legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the op-
ton Of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim of the bondholders
for payment in gold Of that class of indebted
ness known as $40 bonds, the principal OF
which is legally aud equitably payable in lawful
! MONEYS dishonest and extortionate, 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
creasing the gold bearing and untsxed obliga-
tons Of the government.
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be so adjusted az
to bear equally on all classes aud interests; and
that the exemption from taxation Of govern
ment bonds bearing cxtortonste rates Of in
terest, is violation of all just principles Of
revenue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
I tariff 80 as to admit free the necessaries Of life
and such articles OF common use as we can
neither produce nor grow also TO lay duties
TOR revenue mainly upon articles of luxury and
upon articles of manufacture as-we having
the raw material in abundance-will develop
the resources Of the country, increase the mum.
Der Of factories, give employment to more la
borers maintain good compensation cause the
immigration Of skilled labor, the lessening OF
prices 70 consumers, the creating OF a perm a.
nent home market for agricultural products. de.
stroy the necessity for the odious and expeu-
sive system of internal taxation, and will soor
enable US to successfully compete with the
manufactures Of Europe in the markets Of the
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress,
earnestly recommend the adoption Of such
measures amorg all classes Of workmen, in al
sections OF the country, as will secure tn,
adoption Of the eight hour system, aud call up
on the respective state legislatures to follow
the example Of the National Congress in recog-
mixing eight hours as a legal days work.
{ Resolved, That the presence in our country
of Chinese Iaborers in large numbers, is al
evil entailing want and it's consequent train o
misery and crime on all classes Of the Amert
can people, and should be prevented BY legis
latioO.
II Resolved, A labor 10 the foundation an,