The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-02-25
Platform Of the National Labor Union

WHEREAS, II Is not deemed advisable 4
change or modify the existing declaration al
principles, but to reaitrm tie same ana, ioi
practical use, cuuuCiate the substance tbOr,u
in . more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAS, "An political power s inherent
in the people, aud fire. governm, nc founded on
their authority and established FIR their benc-
d ~ that an irecmeu are equal III political
rights, and entitled TO the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, a. also thr use and the enjoyment ol
the fruits OF their jlahor and talcrt.; and mo
man or set Of men are entitled 20 exclusive, sep
arate cmolumcnts, privileges Or immunitie-
from the government, but iu' consideration OF
public services p and any laws destructive
these fundamental principles are without mora
binding orce, and should be repealed IT, do
So, however, is a difficult work when such laws
or ussgcs are interwoven with pride, prejudice
and ,elhshness, Besides, experience shows that
ldborlng people are more than others disposed
" t. suffer while evils are sufferablc" than Or
game for their abolition ana
WHEREAS, We are admonishcd ~ thc imper
ill a rights Of labor throughout the United
States I'd organize and sgitate ia our behalf,
with The decree, "ln the sweat Of the face Shalt
thou eat bread, and the adage that The price
of liberty is eternal vigilance" euthroned in
our hearts and embazoned as notices on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemeIs. and the Spectators and bankers
who are proving like harpies upon the fruits of
honest labor, aud thus restore to our political
and social system that equilibrium Of rights and
justice 20 necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
Resolved, That the laborcrs in ali departments
OF useful industry are suffering from a system
of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war, a. measures, it assumed, ''nec-
essary to the h.. Of the nation" Whichls row
sought to be perpetuated in the interest Of
buudholders aud bankers az a means to subvert
the government Of our fathers and establish on
it- ruins all empire il which All political power
shall be centralized to restrain ana Cypress the
ghts Of labor, and subordinate it, votafies u
wv. mcrclless demands Of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate Of interest OH money
b. the governing power in the distribution of
the products Of industry and enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
~ excess and disprupOrtionate VI the increase
If The national wealth, and oppressive 10 the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inimical TO the spirit of liberty and sub
yerSlve Of the principles ofjustice, without war.
rant IN the constitution Of the United States
and wrongtuliy increasing tine burdens 81 the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
Uually, justice demands its repeal
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted to the genius of our institu-
tons and Che wants Of the business Of the coun
t-A, the circulating notes Of the national banks
and the present greenbacks, which are not a nIlI
~ Al tender, should 5e Withdrawn from circula
tioH ana their place supplied with 4 paper cur
ruucF based on the wealth OF tile nation made
a legal tender in the payment OF all debts pub
lc and private declared the lawful money Of
the JniJed States ; and convertible al the DIea
sure Of the holder into government bonds bear
iug ycr cent. interest per anuum, subject 10
future legislation BY congress. The bonds like
vile convertible into lawful money, AZ the on.
tiUn Of the holder
Resolved That the claim Of the bondholders
io- payment in gold Of that class Of indebted
ness known as $40 bonds the principal of
which is legally and equitably payable in lawful
MONEYS dishonest and extortionate, and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any \
Ie.arturc from the original contract, by fund
w, the debt in long bonds, or in any way in
,rcasing the gold bearing and unta1ed obliga-
ions Of thu government.
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
lens of the government should be 50 adjusted
IS TO bear equally on all classes and interests
nd that the exemption from taxation Of gov
rnmeut bonds, bearing cxtortionate rates of
interest, is violation OF all just principles OF
evsnue laws.