The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-05-13
Platform Of the National Labor Union


Platform Of the National Labor Union
WHKaEAs, ID Il not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but 70 reaifirn tie same and, for
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof
in a more convenient and concise form, With
some additional resolutions; and,
WHKRkAs, IAN political power 10 inherent
in the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
a. that all freeOen 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 aud the enjoyment Of
the fruits OF their labor and taleEts; and mo
man or set Of men are entitled 70 exclusive, sep
srate emolumcnts, privileges or immunities
from the government, but in consideration Of
public services y 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binding force, and should be repealed.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 ussges are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and selfishnesa Besides, experiences shows that
laboring people are more than Others disposed
" 10 suffer while evils are siderable" than Or
ganize for their abolition and
WHERKAs, We are admonished by the imper-
illed rights of labor throughout the United
States TO organize aud agitate in our behalf,
with the decree, "In the sweat Of the fsce shalt
thou eat bread" and the. adage that The price
Of liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned 10
our hearts and emblazoned as mottoes on our
banners assured Of success over corrupt p0liti-
cal schemers, and she spectators and bankers
who are proving like harpies upon the fruits If
honest labor, aud thus restore ~ our political
and social system that equilibrium of rights and
justice 80 necessary to good government and
iomes' ic tranquility, be it
Resolved, That the laborers In all department
useful INDUSTRY are suffering from system
Of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war, as measures, it was assum d. "nec
essary to the life of the nation" whicnIs now
sought 70 be perpetuated in the interest Of
bondholders and bankers as q means to subvert
the government Of our fathers, and establish on
its ruins an empire in which all political power
snail be centralized to restrain and Cypress the
rights Of labor, and subordinate its votaries 10
the merclless demands of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate OF Interest on money
is the governing power ia the distribution Of
the products ofindustry and enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and disproportionate 70 the increase
Of the national wealth. and oppressive 70 the
producing classes
Resolvcd That the national banking system
being inimical TO the spirit OF liberty and sub
versve Of the principles Of Justice, without war
rant in the constitution OF the United ST. .es
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 20 the genius of our institu-
tons and the wants of the business Of the eoun-
try, 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 a 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 piea. /
sure of the holder into government bonds bear
ing per cent interest per annum, subject 10
future legislation by congress. The bonds like !
wise convertible into lawful money, at the on
ton Of the holder
Resolved, That the claim of the bondaolders
tor payment in gold Of that class Of Indebted I
ness known as 6-99 bonds. the principal Of
which Is legally and equitably payable in Lawful
nOney-is dishonest and extortiohate, ami
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, BY fund I
isg the debt in long bonds, or in any way in
ereasing the gold bearing and uutaxed obliga-
tioBs OF the government
Resolved, That justice demands that the bar
dens Of the government should be 30 adjusted
as 10 bear equally on all classes and interests.
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortionate rates of
interest is violation Of al just principles 81
revenue laws M AHfH1
Resolved That congress should modify the
tariff so as to admit free the necessaries Of life
and such articles OF common use as We can mel
ther produce nor grow; also t0lsg duties for
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and up
on sucn articles Of manufacture as-we having
the raw material in abundance-will develop |
the resources Of the country, increase the num-
Der Of factories give employment to more Ia
BOXERS, 11aintaia good compensation, caase the
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.
siye system of inter nal taxation, apd viii soon
enable us totsuccessfuhy compete With the man
ufacturers Of Europe in the markets of she 4
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend tbe adoption Of such
among 81 classes Of. workmen, IN all
sessions 81 the country, as willbeeure ahe adop
ion OF the eight hour system, and call upon the I
respective state legislstuRss 30 folioWsEhe eX-
nipple of the National o oukress b sscoguizing
Eight hours - legal Day wore
Resolved, That The presence II our country
" Chinese laborsrs in large numbers is an evil
'ntailing want and Its consequent train Of lnis-
ny and crime on all other Glasses of the
American people, and should be prevsnted by
egis atiou. fA 1-
Resolved, As labor is the foundation and
aase OF national prosperity. IL Ia both che duty
md interest Of the government TO foster and
'rotect it. is importance, therefore, demaBss !
he creation Of an Executive Department of the
government at WashingtoH, TO be denominated
he Department of Labor. which shall aid in
protecting il above all other interests ,f ii
Resolved, That the protection Of life, liberty !
I'D property are the three cardinsi principles !
Z government, and the fret two more sacred
IAN the lake; therefore, money NECESSARY tori
wars shoaid, se it il required, be-
ssessed aud collected from the wealth of the Z
ountry, and not be entaiIed as a burden on d
osterity. ~ E
Resolved, That the Publc lands Of she
'nited States belong 70 the people, and should
Q, be sold 70 Individuals nor granted 70 cor
oratioas, bar sheald be held a. sacred trust
y the beneatryf RAef people and shoridFhs \,
Fsated free q ecsssq landk . settlers only ,in ID
mounts ndt easeedipg ? 80 acreslof and ! M "
Resolved TRt Tie treaty making powef ef Ia
re government BIAS no authority In the consti-
Ition to dispose Of" he public lands xIthout
. foint aauctian ~ elo Ga..., - H..