The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-04-15

arate emolumcnts, privileges 3 immuni,ies
from the governm ent, but in CO IsideratiOn of
public services :" and any laws det ructive of
tLese fundamental principles are without moral
biuding force, and should be repealed. To do
81, however, is a difficult work when such laws
nr ussges are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and selfshness. Besides, experience shows that
! boring people are more than others disposed
" 70 suffer while evils siderable" than or
Z inize for their abOlitio' and
WHEREAS, We are admOnished by the imper-
He'd rights Of labor throughout the United
States to organize aud agitate in our behalf
with the decree, "In the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread, and the adage that The price
IF liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned in
our hearts and emblaZoned as notices on our
Gamers, assured Of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemers, aud the spectators and bankers
who are proving like harpies upon the fruits Of
honest labor, and thus restore to our political
and social system that equilibrium of rights and
Justice 80 necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
Re olved, That the laborers in all department
useful industry are suffering from a system
of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war as measures it was assumed "nec
cssary to the life of the nation" whichIs now
sought to be perpetuated in the interest of
hondholders and bankers as a means to subvert
the government of our fathers. and establish on
is ruins an empire in which all political power
shall be centralized to restrain and oppress the
II ghts of labor, and subordinate its votaries To
the merclless demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate Of interest On money
i the governing power in the distribution or
the products of industry aud enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and dispropOrtionate 10 the increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes.
Resolved That the national banking system
being inimcal to the spirit Of liberty aud sub
versive Of the principles of Justice, without war
rant in the Constitution OF the United States,
aud 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 aad the wants of the business of the cOun-
try, The circulating notes of the national banks
and the present greenbacks, which are not fun
! le al tender should be Withdrawn from circua
ion aud their place supplied with paper cut
rpncy based on the wealth OF the nation made
J, legal euder ia the payment Of all debts, pub
| tic and private; declared the lawful money Of
1 the United States ; snd convertible the plea
-ure Of the holder into government bonds bear
ing per cent interest per annum sub iect 10
tuture legislation BY congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the op-
sion Of the holder
Resolved, That the claim OF me bondholder-
ter payment in gold Of that class of indebted.
less known AS 500 bonds, the principal ~
which is legally aud equitably PAYABLE il lawful
! nOneN-l5 dishonest and extOrtiGhate aDC
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fluid
lHI the debt in long bonds, or in any way ir-
crea-ins the gold bearing and untaxed obliga-
lions of the government
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
| Gens Of the government should be so adjusted
A. 20 bear equally on all classes and Interests !:
and that the exemption from taxation Of GOV
ernmeut bonds, bearing extortionate rates OF
interest, IS violation of all Just principles OF
revenue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff as to admit free the DecessaIies If life
and such articles Of common use We can mel
Their pro uce nor grow; also to az duties for
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and 10
on such articles of manufacture as-we having
the material in abundsnce-will develop
the resources OF the country, increase he mum
Der OF factories, give employment TO more IA
bnrers, maintain good compensation, cause the
Immigration OF skilled labor. the lessening Of
prices to consumers, the creating Of perma-
nent home market for agricultural products.
destroy the necessity for the odious and expen-
sive system of internal taxation, and will soon
enable US 10 successfully compete with the man
ufacrurers Of Europe in The markets of the
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend tie adoption Of such
sections Of the country, as will secure the adop
tiou Of the eight hour system, and call upon the
respective state legislatures TO follow the ex-
ample q the National Congress in recognizing
eight hours a legal Gays worA.
Resolved That the presence in country
/ of Chinese labOrers in large numbers is an EVIL
entailing want aud Its consequent train of mis-
erV and crime Oh III Otb.r ca sses Of the
American people, and should be prevented by
legislation.
Resolved, As labor is the foundation and
cause OF national prosperity, it is both the duty
and interest Of tie 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 r, which shall aid il
protecting il above all other interests
Resolved, That the protection of hfe liberty
aud property are the three cardinal principles
Of government, and tie first two more sacred
than the latter; therefore, money Necessary for
prosecuting should, as il is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealth of the
country, and not be entailed as a burden on
posterity.
Resolved, That the public lands of the
United States belong 70 che people, and should
OF be sold to individuals nor granted 10 cor
Dorations, but should be held as a sacred trust
for the benefit of the people, and should be
granted free Of cost landiess settlers only, in
am mrs nut exceeding loo acres Of land.
Resolved That the treatv-tnaking power of
che government has no authority ia the constI-
utipn 10 dispose Of" he public lands without
Me j int sanction Of the Senate and House Of
RenreSar tatiVaS