The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-03-11
Platform of the National Labor Union

WHEREAS 1t is not deemed advisable TO
change OF modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but 20 reafirm the same and, ior
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof
in a more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions and,
WHERkAs, GAN political power is inherent
in the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established fer their bene-
fl i" that all freemen are 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 enjOymen mt 81
the fruits OF their IlabOr and talcEts; aud mo
man or set Of men are entitled TO exclusive, sep
arate emolumcnts, privileges or lmmunities
+ from the government, but in consideration OF
public services /" and any laws destructive
these fundamental principles are without mora
binding force, aud should be repealed. To DO
"a. however, is a difficult work when such laws
W usagcs are interviewer with pride, prejudice
ana selfshness. Besides, experience shows that
laboring people are more than others disposed
r. to suffer while evils are sufferablen than or
gtnize for their abolition and
WHEREAS, We are admonished by the imper
illed rights OF labor throughout the United
States 10 organize and sgtate in our behalf
with the decree, "ln the sweat OF the face shalt
thou eat bread, and the .adsge that "The price
/ of liberty is eternal vigilance eDthrOned in
our hearts and cmblazoned as notices on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt pOlit-
cal schemeTs, and the SPECTATORS and bankers
who are proving ike harpies upon the fruits Of
honest labOr aud thus restore to our political
aud social system that equilibrium Of rights and
! justice 50 necessary 10 good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
/ Resolved, That the la5orers in all departments
/ OF useful industry are suffering from a system
of monetary laws which were enacted curing
the late war; as measures, it Was assumed, nee
I e-sary to tie life Of the nation Nhichis Low
4 sought 70 De perpetuated in the interest Of
/ bondhOldeTs aud bankers as a means 70 subvert
the government of our fathers, and establish on
it. ruins al empire ID which all political power
shall be centralized to restrain and oppress TIE
rights Of labor, and subordinate its votaries u
the mercuess demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved That the rate OF interest on money
Y is the governing power in the distribution Of
7 the products Of industry and enterprise between
capital and labor and that the present rates are
4 in excess and disprOpOFtonate ~ the increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
\ producing classes.
v Resolved. That the national banking system
being inmCsl to the spirit Of liberty and sub
yclsiye Of The rincipIes ofjustice, without war
rant ID tile constitution Of the United States,
ana 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 insttu-
tons and the wants Of the business Of the coun-
I -Tv, the circulating notes Of the national banks
and the present ErecHbacks, which are not a full
I lc- al tender, should be Withdrawn from circula
ton and their place supplied with paper cur
T'Bcy based on the wealth OF the nation made
4 legal tender III the payment OF all debts pub
! iic and private declared the lawful oucy Of
the United States and convertible at the plea.
sure Of the holder into government bonds bear.
Ing per cent. interest per annum, sub ject to
future legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the OBJ
tion Of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim Of the bondbolders
for payment III gold Of that class Of indebted
ness known as 500 bonds, the principal Of
which il legally aud equtably payable IN lawful
MONEYS dishonest and extortiohate, and
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fund
Ing the dett il 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
as 10 bear equally on all classes and interests
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
ernmeut bonds, bearing cxtortionate rates OF
il .erest, is a violation Of all Just principles OF
revenue laws