The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-06-10
Platform of the National Labor Union


WHKRKAs, 1t is not deemed advisable t.
change or modify the existing declaration o.
rriuciples but TO reafirn the same and, 10
practical use enunciate the substance thoreo'
in a more convenient and concise form, VIII
sone additional resolutions a0d,
WExRsAs "An political power is inherent
"A MA r..,.nIa and free government founded OIL
ths,r authority and established for their 0ene-
81 !" that all freemen are equal 10 P"llsical
r;.hta and entitled to the largest political an0
rrli0,ous liberty compatible with the good oroe'
of society, az also the use and the enJoyment OF
he fruits Of their labor and talects and mo
nan ar act Of m are entitled 20 exclusive, sep
rate emolumcnts, privileges or immunltlet
rom the government, but in consideration OF
onnI,c seryices I" and any laws dest ructive Of
rbese fundamental principles are without mora
oinding tOrce, and should be repealed. TO d
20. however, is difficult work when sucn law
r. usages are interviewer with pride. prejudice
and seI6shness Besides, experience shows tina
laboring people are more than others disposed |
70 suif.r while evils are siderable" than or |
Sanixe for their abolition and
WHxRKAs We are admonished by the imper- |
He'd rights of labor throughout the Unlseo
States 70 organize and agitate IN our behalf
~,th the decree, I'm the sweat OF the face snah
thsu eat bread" and the adage that ''fhe price
II liberty is eternal vigilance, enthroneo 10
,ur hearts and emblsEoned as notices on our
banners. assured of success over corrupt politl
cal schemers and the spectators and bankers
xho are preying like harpies upon the fruits o.
honest LABOR, aud thus restore ~ our political
and social system that equilibrium of rights and
iustice 40 necessary to good government and
iom.st'c tranquility, be IL
Ra.olyed. That the lAborers in all department
Lee, az . Industry are suffering from system
Z Monetary laws which were enacted curing
he late war as measures, IL was assumed, nee
ss.rv to the life of the nation" WhlchIs nov
sought to be perpetuated in the interest Of
bondholders aud bankers AZ 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 votaries to
the merciless demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved That the rate OF interest on money
IL the governing power in the distribution Of
the products of industry and enterprise between
capital and labor and that the present rates
| IN excess and disprOporGionate 70 the increase
# 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 ofjustice, without war
| rant in the constitution OF the United Sta tss
and wrongtully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, Justice demands its repeal.
! Resolved, That to provide 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 greeubscks, which are not full
le.al tender, should be withdrawn from circula
lion 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 aud convertible at the plea
sure of the holder iutO government bonds bear
ing per cent interest per annum, subject TO
future legislation by Congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, At the OPP
tion Of the hol Ter.
Resolved, That the claim of the bondhoiders
tor payment in gold Of that class Of indebted
,ess known as $40 bonds, the principal OF
which il legally aud equitably payable in lawful
noney-is dishonest and extortiohate, and
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fund
} ING the debt 10 long bonds, or in any way in
, creasine the gold bearing and untaxed obliga-
. lions Of the government.
Resolved, That Justice demands that the bur
dens OF the government should be so adjusted
a. to bear EQUALS on all classes and interests
r and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortionate rates o
in .erest is a violation OF all just principles o
revenue laws
e Resolved, That congress should modify tn
tariff 40 as to admit free the DecessAries Of lif
p and such articles Of common use We can mel
. Their pro Juce nor grow; also TO lay duties 70
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and uE
!, on sucn articles Of manufacture as-we havin
; the raw material ia sbundance-Will deVelO
& the resources Of the country, Increase the HuT
1 Der Of factories, give employment TO more Ia
borers, maintain good compensation, cause tn
u immigration of skilled labor. the lessening
Il prices to consumers, the creating of prrm'
DESTROY ne W9sssket for agricul urai products
:. sive system of internal taxation, and will 500
enable US to successfully compete with the m Al
y ufscrurers Of Europe in the markets Of th
II world.
Is Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
Is earnestly recommend tile sdop ion of sue
measures among al classes of workmen, in a
= sections Of the country as will secure be adoI
, ton Of the eight hour system, and call upon th
respective state legislatures to follow the er
ample Of the National Congress in recoguizin
eight hours as a legal days work.
), Resolved, That the presence in our countr
Of Chinese laborers in large numbers is an ev
entailing want and Its consequent train of mis-
i cry and crime on all Other classes of tn
American people, and should be prevented b
: Legislation.
Resolved, As labor 10 the foundation an
cause Of national prosperity. it is both the dut
u and interest OF the government to foster an
protect it. Its importance, therefore, demand
q the creation of an Executive Department of IN
government at Washington, to be denominate
the Department Of Labor. which shall aid il
protecting it above all other interests
Resolved, That the protection Of life, libert
I aud property are the three cardinal princi pie
> Of government, and the first two more sacre,
Than the latter; therefore, money necessary TO
prosecuting wars should, az il 10 required, b,
assessed and collected from the wealth Of th,
] country, and not be entAiled a. burden OF
posterity.
Resolved, That the public lands Of th,
United States belong to the people, and should
rot be sold to individuals nor granted TO cor
porstions, but should be held as a sacred trus
D for the benefit of the people, and should bt
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-
luton to dispose Of" the public lands without
he joint sanction of the Senate and House Of
Representatives.