The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-06-03
Platform Of the National Labor Union.

Platform of the National Labor Union.
WHEREAS, 1t is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration OF
principles, but TO reaffrm the same and, for
practical use, enunciste the substance thereof
10 q more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions and,
WHEREAS, can political power is inherent
in the people, aud free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
At that all freemen equal in political
rights, and entitled to the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, as also the use and the enjoyment Of
the fruits OF their labor and talents; and mo
or set Of men entitled 70 exclusive, sep
arate emolumcnts, privileges or immuDities
from the government, but in consideration of
public services; :" and any laws destructive of
these fundamental principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed. To do
50, however, is a difficult work when such laws
or ussges are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and sel6shness Besides, experience shows that
laboring people are more than others disposed
4" TO suffer while evils are siderable" than or
ganiIe for their abolition and
WHKREAs, We are sdmonished BY the imper-
lied rights of labor throughout the United
States to oG"aniLe aud sgitate in our behalf,
With the decree, I'm the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread" and the adsge that The price
of liberty is 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 hsrpies 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
Re. olved, That the lahOrers in all department Q
useful industry suffering from q system
Of none tary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war,as measures, it was assumed, "nec
esssTE > the life Of the nation" whichIs row
sought to be perpetuated in the interest Of
| bOudho1ers and bankers n q means 70 su5vert
4 the government of our fathers, and establish on
its RUNE an empire in which all political pow or
shall De centralized to restrain and Cypress the
rights IF labor, and subordinate its votaries to
th- mercless demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate OF interest on money
is Oh. 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.
Resolyed That the national banking system
being inimcal to the spirit Of liberty and sub
yersive Of The principles Of justice, without var
rant in the constitution OF the United States,
and wrone fully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions OF dollars an
nually, Justice demands its repeal.
Resolved. That to provide a true national
currency adapted to the genius of our institu-
tons and the wants of the business of the coun-
trv the circulating notes Of the national banks,
and the present greenbacks, which are not full
legal tender, should be withdrawn from circuls
ton and their place supplied with q 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
ing per cent. interest per anDum, ject to
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 equtably payable in lawful
noneY-is dishonest and extortioLate, 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 10
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed obligs-
tions Of the government.
Resolved That justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be 90 adjusted
as to bear equally on all classes and int rests /;
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
eminent bonds, bearing eXtortionate rates Of
interest is a violation Of al just principles Of
revenue laws
Resolved That congress should modify the
tariff 80 as TO admit free the necessaries Of life
and such articles Of common use az We can nell
Their produce nor grow; also to lay duties for
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and up
: on suca articles of man Hfacture As-we having
the raw material in abundance-will develop
the resources of the country, Increase the aum-
Der of factories, give employment to more Ia
borers maintain good compensation, cause the
immigration Of skilled labor. the lessening Of
prices to consumers, the creating Of q perma-
nent home market for agricultural products,
destroy the necessity for the odious and expen-
sivs system of internal taxation, and will soon
enable US to successfully compete with the man
ufacturers Of Europe in the markets of she
world
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption of such
measures among all classes of workmen, In all
sections of the country, as will secure the adop
ton of the eight hour system, and call upon the
respective state legislatures to follow the ex-
ample of the National Congress in recognising
eight hours az q legal days work
Resolved, That the presence in our country
} entailiDg want and Its consequent train of mis-
cry and crime on all other classes Of the
American people, and should be prevented by
legislation.
Resolved As labor il the foundation. and
cause Of national prosperity. it is both the duty
and interest Of the government to foster and
protect it Its Importance, therefore, demands
the creation of an Executive Department Of the
: government at Washington, to be denominated
the Department Of Labor. which shall aid in
protecting it above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection Of life, liberty
aud property are the three cardinal principles
J of government, and the first two more sacred
than the latter; therefore, money necessary for
prosecuting wars should, as it is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
country, and not be entailed as burden on
posterity.
Resolved, That the public lands Of the
United States belong to the people, and should
not be sold to individuals nor granted TO cor
porations, but should be held as a sacred trust
for the benefit of the people, and should be
granted free of cost to landlen settlers only, 10
amounts not exceeding $50 acres Of land.
Resolved, That the treaty-makinR power OF
the government has no authority in the consti-
tuition to dispose Of" the public lands without
Az mint az n n8iOn If the Senate and Houae of