The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-07-15
Platform of the National Labor Union


Platform Of the National Labor Union
WHEREAS, 1t is not deemed advisable &c
change or modify the existing declaration oil
pies, but to reafirn the same and, fol
practical use, enuncate the substance thoreoi
ia a more convenient and concise form, with
some additional resolutions; and,
WHEREAs, "All political power is inherent
in the people, and free government founded on
their authority and established for their bene-
6t :" that all ireemen are equal 10 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
the fruits Of their labor and taleEts and mo
man or set of men are entitled TO exclusive, sep
arate emolumcnts, privileges or immunities
from the government, but in consideration OF
public services :" and any laws dest ructive OF
these fundamental principles are without moral
binding force, and should be repealed. To do
50, however, is a difficult work when such laws
or usages are interviewer with pride, ejudice
and selishness. Besides, experience shows that
laborng people are more than others disposed
" TO suffer while evils are siderable" than or
ganiZe for their abolition and
WHEREAS, We are sdmOnished by the imper
illed rights OF labor throughout the United
States TO organize and agitate in our behalf
with the decree, In the sweat of the face shalt
thou eat bread" and the adage that THE price
of liberty is eternal vigilance" enthroned in
our hearts and emblazoned as notices on our
banners, assured of success over corrupt politi-
cal schemeTs, and the spectators and banker:
who are preying like harpies upon the fruits o.
honest LABOR, aud thus restore ~ our political
and social system that equilibrium Of rights and
Justice so necessary to good government and
domestic tranquility, be it
Re olved, That the la5orers in sll department I
useful INDUSTRY are 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 oil
bondholders aud bankers az 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 votaries to
the mercIIess demands Of aggregated capital.
Resolved, That the rate OF interest Oh money
IL the governing power in the distribution OF
the products Of industry and enterprise between
capital and labor, and that the present rates are
IN excess and dispropOrIonate 20 the increase
Of the national wealth, aud oppressive to the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inimcAl to the spirit of liberty and sub
versve Of the principles Of justice, without war
rant in the constitution OF the United States,
and wrongtully increasing the burdens OF the
wealth producing classes millions Of dollars an
nually, 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-
try, the circulating notes of the national banks,
and the present greenbscks, which are not a full
Leg al tender, should be Withdrawn from circula
ton and 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 and private declared the lawful money of
the United States aud convertible at the plea
sure Of the holder into government bonds bear
ing 8 per cent. interest per snnum, sub ect 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 houdholders
for payment in gold Of that class Of indebted
ness known as 800 bonds, the principal OF
which is legally and eqnitably payable in Ia wful
mOHev-is dishonest and extortionate, and
hence We enter our solemn protest against any
departure from tie original contract, by fund
creasing the gold bearing and untsxed oblga-
tons Of the government.
Resolved, That justice demands that the bur
dens of the government should be so adjusted al
to bear equally on all classes and interests; and
that the exemption from taxation Of govern
ment bonds, bearing c1tortionate rates Of in
rerest, i violation Of all just principles Of
revenue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff so as 10 admit free the necessaries of life
and such articles Of common use as we can
neither produce nor grow also tn lay du;ies
for revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and
upon articles OF manufacture ss-we having
the raw material in abundance-will develop
he resources Of the country, increase the mum.
Der of fac cries, give employment to more la
borers, maintain good compensation, cause the
immigration Of skilled labor, the lessening OF
prices to consumers the creating Of perm a.
nent home market for agricultural products, de-
stroy the necessity for the Od'ous and expen-
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, will secure the
adoption Of the eight hour system, and call up
on the respective state legislatures to follow
the example Of the National Congress in recog-
nizing eight hours as legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence in our coun try
of Chinese laborers in large numbers, is an
evil entailng want and its consequent train of
misery and crime on all classes Of the Amer
can people, and should be prevented by legis-
lation.
Resolved, As labor is the foundation and
cause Of national prosperity, it is both the du-
ty and interest of the government to foster and
protect it. Its Importance, therefore demands
the creation Of an Executive Department 81
the government at Washington, 10 be denomi-
mated the Department Of Labor, which shall aid
in protecting it above all other interests
Reso we'd. That the projection of life, liberty
and property are the three cardinal principles
of government, and the frat two more sacred
than tine lat err; therefore money necessary
for prosecuting wars should, as it is required,
be assessed and collected from the wealth OF
the country, and not be entailed az a burden
on posterity.
Resolved, That the public lards Of the United
States belong to the people, and should not be
sold TO individu is nor granted to corporations,
but should be held as a sacred trust for the
benefit OF the people, and should be granted
tree Of cost to landess settlers DULY in amounts
not exceeding go acres Of land.
Resolved, That the treaty making power OF
the government has no authoIitv in the con
stItution to ''di>pose of" p1blic lands without
the joint sanction Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives.
HIGAn AkAKERe