The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-06-24
Platform of the National Labor Union.

Platform Of the National Labor Union.
WHEREAS, 1t is not deemed advisable to
change or modify the existing declaration Of
principles, but to resthrn the same and, for
practical u-e, enuncate the substance thereof
10 more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAS, CAN political power is inherent
in the people, and free government foEnded on
their authority and established for their bene-
ut" that all ireemen are equal in political
rights, and entitled TO the largest political and
religious liberty compatible with the good order
Of society, also tht and the enjoyment Of
the fruits OF their labor and talents; and mo
man or set Of N, n are entitled to exclusive, sep
arate emolumcnts, privileges or immuBi,ies
from the government, but in consideration Of
public So vices :" and any Laws dost ru0t,vo IF
these fundamental principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed. To do
-, ho~rver, is a difficult work when such laws
or usagcs are interviewer win pride, pref udice
and srIh,huess. Besides, experience shows that
labJriuL people are more than others di-pos, d
= u suffer while evils are siderable" than Of
giuiEe for their abolition and
WHIREAs, We are admonshed by the imper-
HE'D rights of labor throughout the United
States TO organize and agi ate our behalf
wish tie decree, I'm the sweat # the face shalt
thou eat bread" and the adlge that The price
If liberty is eternal vi lance" enthroned in
our hearts and emblszoned as notices on our
banners, assured Of success over corrupt pnliu-
cal schemeIs, and the spectators and bankers
who are preying Ike harpies upon the fruits Of
honest laUOr, aud thus restore " our political
and social system that equilibrium OF rights aud
justice 50 necessary TO good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
- - =. NJ !.
useful inc lstry suffering from system
Of monetary laws, which were enacted curing
the late war, as measures, it was assumed, "nec
essary to the life of the nation" Whichis now
sought to be perpetuAted in the interest of
bOndholders aud bankers as q means to subvert
the government Of our fathers, and establish on
its ruins empire in which all political power
shall be centralized to restrain and Cypress the
rights Of labor, and subordinate its votaries to
the mercIless demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate Of interest on money
is the governing power in the distribution OF
the products Of industry aud enterprise between
capital aud labor, and that the present rates are
in excess and dispropOrtionAte 70 the mere .se
Of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inimicsl TO the spirit Of liberty and sub
versive of the principles OF justice, without war.
rant in the constitution OF the United Sta ties
and wrongfully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions of dollars an
nualy, justice demands its repeal
Resolved That to provide a true national
currency adapted TO the genius Of our institu-
tons and the wants Of the business Of the coun-
trv, the circulating notes of the national banks
and the present greenbscks, Nhich are not a full
legal tender, should be Withdrawn from circul4
ton aud their place supplied with paper cur
rency based on the wealth OF the nation made
a legal tender 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
ing per cent. interest per Aunum sub iect 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 bondbolJers
for payment in gold Of that class Of indebted
ness known as 800 bonds the principaI III
which i legally and equitably PAYABLE III lawful
mouey-is dishonest aud eKtortonate and
hence We enter eur solemn protest against any
departure from Il e original contract by fund
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any wav in
err asing the gold bearing and untaxed oblga-
tions of the government.
Resolved, That justice demands that the bur
dens Of the government should be % adiust ed "A
20 bear equally on ali classes and interests; and
that the exemption from taxation Of govern
ment bonds bearing cxtortionate rates OF IN
terest, is violation of all Just principles of
revenue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff 80 as to admit free the neces saries Of liz.
and such articles Of common use as we can
neither produce nor grow also to Law du les
for revenue mainly upon a. tices Of luxury ana
upon articles OF manufacture as-we having
the raw material in abundance-wil develoo
the resources of the country, increase the num-
Der of factories, give employment to more la
borers, maintain good compensation, cause the
immigration Of skilled labor, the lesseninp of
prices TO consumers, the creating Of a perms
nent home market for agricultural products az.
stroy the necessity for the Odous and e1pep-
sive system of internal taxation, and will soon
enable US to successfully compete with the
manufactures Of Europe in the markets Of the
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommend the adoption Of such
measures among all classes of workmen, in all
sections of the country, as will secure the
adoption Of the eight hour system, and call up
on the respective state legislatures to follow
the example of the Naton,l .ngress in recog-
MIXING eight hours % Q legal days work