The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-01-28
Platform of the National Labor Union.

k14LIOTm Oh the 0ab1ou21 AaDOx v n100.
WHKRKAs, Il is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but TO reafirn the same and, for
practical use, enuDcists the substance thereof
q . more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WHKREAs, "AI political power 10 inherent
in the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
6t;" that all freemen are equal il political
rights, and entitled 70 the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, as also the use and the enjoyment of
she frnits of their hlabos and talents and mo
man or set Of men are entitled 20 exclusive, sep
arate emoluncnts, privileges or immuDities
rom the government, but in consideration of
public services !" and any laws dest ructiVe OF
these fund Amental principles ara without moral
binding force, and should be repealed. To do
so, however, 10 q difficult work when such laws
or usAges are interviewer with pride, prejudice
and sehshness. Besides, experience shows that
lsboring people are more than others disposed
" 70 suffer while evils are safferable" than Or
gsniSe for their abolition and
WHEREAs, We are admonished BY the imper-
iled rights Of labor throughOut the United
States 70 organize and AgiIate in our behalf,
WITH the decree, "In the sweat Of the face shalt
thou eat bread" and the adage that THE price
of liberty 10 eternal vigilance" enthroned in
our hearts and emblszoned as notices on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemeTs, and she Spectators and bankers
who are preying like harPies upon the fruits Of
honest LABOR, and thus restore " cur political
and social system that equilibrium Of rights and
justice 30 necessary 70 good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
- ii sra A.
OF useful industry are suffering from system
Of monetary laws which were enacted during
the late war, as measures, L. was assumed, "nec
esssry to the life of the nation" which is now
sought to be perpetuated in the interest OF
bondhoders aud bankers q means TO su5vert
the government of our fathers, and establish on
is ruins an empire in which sll political power
shall be centralized 10 restrain and Cypress she
rights Of labor, and subordinate its VOtaries to
the mercIless demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate Of interest Oh money
s the governing power 10 the distribution OF
the products Of industry aud enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and disprOporEionste - the increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive TO the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inimical TO the spirit of liberty and sub
versive Of the principles OF justice, without war
rant 10 the constitution of the United States
aud wrongfully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth pr ducing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, justice demands its repeal.
Resolved, That to provide a true nations
currency adapted 20 the genius Of our il titu-
tons add the wants Of the business Of the coun
try, the circulating notes Of the national baDke
and the present gFeenbscks, AhiOh are not full
lel al tender, should be withdrawn from circuls
ton and their place supplied with paper our
rency based on the wealth ot the nation made
legal ieDder in the payment OF all debts, pub
lie aud private: declared the lawful money OF
the United States and convertible at the plea
sure OF the holder into government bonds bear
i"g per cent. interest per aDnum, sub jsct to
future legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the Op-
ton of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim Of the bondholders
for payment in gold of that class of indebted
ness known as $40 bonds, the principal OF
which is legally aud equitably payable 10 lawful
noney-is dishonest and extortiohate. and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departure IRON the original contract, by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any way in
creasing the gold bearing and untaxed obIiga-
lions of the government.
Resolved, That justice demands that the bur.
dens OF the government should be so adjusted
as to bear equally on all classes and interests ;
and that the exemptio. from taxation Of gov
ernment bonds, bearing extortionate rates OF
interest, is 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 as We can nell
Their produce nor grow; also to lay duties for
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and up
on such 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