The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-10-19
Platform of the National Labor Union.

We hold that all political power is inhe-
rent in the people, that free government ID
founded on their authority, and established for
their benefit !" that all citizens are equal in
political rights, entitled to the largest rehg-
ious and political liberty compatible with the
good order Of society, as also the use and en-
loyment Of the fruits Of their labor and talents,
and no mar set Of men are entitled to the
exclusive, separate emOluments, privileges OF
immunities from the Government, but in con-
sideration Of public services and any laws
destructive Of these fundamental principles
are without moral binding force and should be
repealed and we believe that the evils re-
sultang from unjust legalation now affecting
the mdustnAl classes ean be removed by the
adoption OF ths principles contained IN The
following declarations. Therefore resolved.
/. That it is the duty Of the government
to establiah q Just standard Of distribution to
capital and hbor,F BY providing purely ma
tional circulating medium, based on the faith
and resources Of the nation, issued directly to
the people without the Intervention of any
system Of banking corporations, which money
shall be legal tender In the payment Of all
debts, public and private and interchange
BILE at the option Of the holder for government
bonds bearing . rate Of interest not to exceed
three and sixty five hundreths per cent sub
lect to future legislation by Congress
2 That the National debt should be paid
in good faith according 10 the original contract,
at the earliest option Of the government, with
out mortgaging the property of the people,
and the future earnings of labor TO enrich .
few capitalists ut homo and abroad.
g. That Justice demands that the burdens
of government should be so adjusted as to bear
equally ON all classes and interests. and the
exemption from taxation Of government bonds
bsasing e1toFtinnste rates Of iHtsnsst is Q yie-
LATHAM Of all just principles Of tstspae laws
4. That the enlightened spirit of the age
demands the aboliti0n of the system of con-
tract labor in our prisons and other reforma-
tory Institutions.
s. That the public lands Of the United
States belong to the people, and shoud not
be cold to Individuals nor granted to corpora
tions, but should be held % sacred trust for
the benefit Of the people, and should be grant
ed free Of cost to landless settlers only in
amounts not exceeding l60 acres each.
8. That Congress should modify tariff 30
a. to admit free such articles of common use
Is we can neither produce or grow, and lay
duties for revenue mainly upon articles Of lux
ury and upon such articles Of manufacture ~
wll-ws having the raw material in abund-
ance -assist in farther developing the resOur-
cen Of the country.
T. That the presence in our country of
Chinese laborers, imported by capitalists in
large numbers for servile use, is an evil entail
md want and its attendant train of misery
and crime on all glasses Of the American peo-
DE, and should be prohibited by legislation
q. That 10 aak for the enactment Of Law
by which al mechanics and day laborers en-
pioyed by or on hshak Of the Goyemmsnt,
whether directly or indirsctiy. through per
coma, firms o. corporations, s0ntsscting with
the 6tats, shall conform 20 the rsdues4 stsad,
ard Of sighi h0ns psE dzy recently Adopted BY
Congress, foF nationsl smplOyes, and ala0 IN
amsaAmeat 10 the aets 81 Incorporation fos
cities and towns BY whish ~ lshop@s and
mechanics anploysd st thss sxpsnss sha1l
conform to the some nnmhsT 0f heau.