The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-01-14

Platform of the National Labor Union
WHEREAS, Il ID not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration of
principles, but to reafRrm the same and, for
practical use, enunciate the substance thereof
10 . more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions and,
WmREAs, GAN political power Is inherent
in the people, and frse government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
Ct !" that all freemen are equal in political
rights, and entitled to the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
of society, ~ also the use and the enjoyment of
the fruits of their labor and talents and " no
man or set Of men are entitled TO exclusive, sep
arats emoluments, privileges or immunities
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binding force, and should be repealed.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
90, however, is q difficult work when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and sel6shDess. Besides, experience shows that
laboring people are more than others disposed
" to suffer while evils are siderable" than or
ganize for their abolition and
WEKREAs, We are admonished BY the imper-
lied rights of labor throughout the United
States to organize and sgitate in our behalf,
with the decree, "In the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread" and tn. adage that 1.-THE price
of liberty is eternal vigilance enthrOned in
our hearts and emblazoned a notices on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt pOliti-
cal schemers, and the spectators and bankers
who are preying like harpies upon the fruits of
honest labor, and thus restore to our political
and social system that equilibrium Of rights and
justice 30 necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility, be il
Resolved, That the laborers in all depar Gments
of useful industry are suffering from system
of monetary laws, which were enacted during
| the late war, as measures, it was assumed, "nec-
essary to tie life of the nation" which is now
sought to be perpetuated in the interest of
bondholders and bankers 10 a means to su5Vert
the government Of our fathers, and establish on
its ruins an empire in which all political power
shall be centralized TO restrain and Cypress the
rights Of labor and subordinate its votartes 20
the merclless demands of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate of interest on money
is the governing power in the distribution Of
the products Ofindustry and enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and disproportionats to the increase
of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes.
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 Glasses millions OF dollars an
| nually, Justice demands its repeal
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted 20 the genius of our institu-
tioRs and the wants of the business Of the COun
try, the circulating notes Of the national banks
and the present greenbscks, 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 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 5 per cent interest per annum, sub ject to
future legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the OPP
ton Of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim Of the bondholderi
for payment in gold of that class of indebted
ness known as $50 bonds, the principal o.
which is legally and ecuitably payable 10 Lawful
money-is dishonest and extortiohate, 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 in
credsluR tue kOiu Oceituk Anu uuboAON ODA6o-
tons Of the government.
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be 80 adjusted
as to bear equally on all classes and interests
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortionate rates Of
interest, is a violation of all just principles o.
revenue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff 80 as to admit free the necessaries of life
and such articles of common use as we can mel
Their produce nor grow; also to lay duties fol
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and up
on sucn articles of manufacture as-We having
the raw material in sbundance-will develop
the resources Of the country, increase the mum
Der of factories, give employment to more la
borers, maintain good compensation, cause the
immigration of skilled labor. the lessening o
prices to consumers, the creating of Perma
nent homo market for agricultural products
destroy the necessity for the odiOus and expen
sive system of internal taxation, and will sOoI
enable US to successfully compete with the m n
ufacturers Of Europe in the markets OF Lh'
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption Of sucl
measures among all classes Of WOrkmen, in al
sections of the country, as win secure the adop
ton Of the eight hour system, and call upon The
respective state legislatures to follo~ the eX-
ample of the National Congress in recognizing
eight hours as a legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence in our countr,
of Chinese laborsrs In large numbers is an evl
entailing want and ITS consequent train Of mis-
cry and crime on all other classes Of thu
American people, and should be prevented b.
legislation.
Resolved, As labor 10 the foundation anC
cause Of national prosperity, it is both the dutl
and interest OF the government to foster ant
protect it, Its importance, therefore, demand
the creation of an Executive Department of thu
government a. w ashIust ION, 70 be denominateC
the Department Of Labor. which shall aid il
protecting il above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection of life, liberty
aud property are the three cardinal principles
Of government, and the first two more sacred
than the latter; therefore, money necessary TO
prosecuting wars should, as it is required, b
assessed and collected from the wealth Of thu
country, and not be entailed as burden OIL
posterity
Resolved, That the public lands of tbs
United States belong to the people, and should
not be sold to individuals nor granted 20 cor
porations, but should be held as a sacred trus
for the benefit of tA people, and should b
granted free of cost to landess settlers only, il
amounts not exceeding $50 acres of land.
Resolved, That the treaty-making power o
the government has no authority in the cOnsti-
tuition to dispose of" the public lands without
the joint sanction Of the Senate and House O
Representatives.