The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-06-17
Platform of the National Labor Union

WHEREAS, 1t is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but to reaffirm the same and, fot
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof
10 q more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAS, CAN political power is inherent
in the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
fit !" 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 enjoyment Of
she fruits of their labor and talents; and "no
man or set of men are entitled TO 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binding force, and should be repealed.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
So however, is a difficult work when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, pref JUDGE
and setfshness. Besides experience shows that
lsboring people are more than others disposed
" TO suffer while evils are siderable" than or
ganize for their abolition and
WHEREAS, We are admonishsd bv the imper-
iled rights of labor throughout the United
States to organize and sgitate IN our behalf,
With the decree, in the sweat Of the face shalt
.s,vu Dre.d,'' and the. .dass that 18Th r-:~>
of liberty ia eternal vigilance" enthroned in
our hearts and emilia zoned notices on our
banners, assured of success over corrupt pOlti-
cal schemers, and the spectators and bankers
who are preying like harpies upon the fruits OF
honest labor, and thus restore " our political
and social system that equilibrium of rights and
Justice so necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility, be It
Re Owed, That the laborers in all department
anffA
Of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war, as measures, it was assumed, "nec
essarV TO the life Of the nation" whchIs now
sought to be perpetuated in the interest OF
bondhoIders aud bankers a. a means to subvert
the government of our fathers, and establish on
its ruins an empire in which all political power
shall be centralized to restrain and oppress the
rights of labor, and subordinate its votaries to
the merclless demands of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate of interest on money
is the governing power 10 the distribution Of
the products Of industry and 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 clssses
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inmical 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 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 circula
! ton and their place supplied with paper cur
| rency based on the wealth OF the nation made
legal tender 10 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 8 per cent. interest per annum, sub ject to
| future legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the CD
ton of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim Of the bondholders
for payment in gold of that class of indebted
ness known as 500 bonds, the principal OF
which is legally and equitably payable in lawful
money-s dishonest and extortonate and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, in any way in
creasing the gold bearing and unta1ed obiga-
tions of the government.
Resolved, That justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be so adjusted 50
70 bear equally on all classes and interests and
that the exemption from taxation of govern
ment bonds, bearing cItortonate rates Of in
terest, is a violation Of all just principles OF
revenue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff so as to admit free the necessaries of life
and such articles Of common use az we can
neither produce nor grow also to lay duties
| for revenue mainly upon articles of luxury and
upon articles OF manufacture as-we having
the raw material in abundance-wil develop
the resources of the country, increase the num-
Der of factories, give employment to more la
| borers, maintain good compensation, cause the
! immigration Of skilled labor, the lessening Of
prices to consumers, the creating of perm a.
nent home market for agricultural products, de-
stroy the necessity for the odOus and expep-
sive system Of internal taxation, and will soon
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 among all classes Of workmen, in all
sections of the country, as will secure the
adoption Of the eight hour system, and call up
on the respective state legislatures to follow
the example Of the National Congress in recog-
nizing eight hours as legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence in our country
Of Chinese laborers in large numbers, is an
evil entailing want and its consequent train Of
misery and crime on all classes of the Ameri-
can people, and should be prevented by legis-
lation.
Resolved, As labor is the foundation and
cause of national prosperity, it is both the du-
ty 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 denomi-
mated the Department Of Labor, which shall aid
in protecting it above all other interests