The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-12-21
Platform of the National Labor Union.

We hold that all political power is inhe-
rent in the people, that free government is
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 also the use and en-
joyment ofthe fruits of their labor and talents,
and no man or set of men are entitled to the
exclusive, separate emoluments, privileges or
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repealed and We believe that the evils re-
sulting from unjust legislation now affecting
the industrial classes can be removed by the
adoption of the principles contained in the
following declarations. Therefore resolved.
l. That it is the duty of the government
to establish Just standard Of distribution to
capital and labor, 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 es Ganking corporations. which money
shall he a legal AoIr'ivI iII siIv-s1ay mont OF all
debts, public and private; and interchange
bic ar the option OF re holder for government
bonds, bearing a rate of interest not to exceed
three and sixty five hundreths per cent sub
rect to future egislation by Congress
2. That tn national debt should be paid
in good faith according TO the original contract,
at the earliest option of the government with
out mOrtgsging the property Of the people,
and the future earnings of labor to enrich
few capitalists at home and abroad
3. 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.
bearing extortionate rates Of interest, is a vio-
lation Of all Just principles of revenue laws.
4. That the enlightened spirit of the age
demands the abolition of the system Of con
tract labor in our prisons and other reforrna-
tory institutions.
3. That the public lands Of the United
States belong to the people, and should not
be sold to individuals nor granted TO corpora
tiOns, but should be held as q sacred trust for
the benefit Of the people, and should be grant
ed free of cost to landless settlers only in
amounts not exceeding l6O acres each
g. That Congress should modify tariff 50
as to admit free such articles of common use
as we can neither produce or grow, and lay
duties for revenue mainly upon articles Of lux
ury and upon such articles Of manufacture a.
will-we having the raw material in abund-
ance assist in further developing the resOur-
ces Of the country.
o. lHAI bHc pFcScHcc III our country OF
Chinese labOrers, imported by capitalists ir
large numbers for servile use is an evil entail
ing want and its attendant train Of misery
and crime on all classes of the American peO-
pie, and should be prohibited by legislation
8. That we ask for the enactment of law
by which all mechanics and day labOrers en-
plOyed by or on behalf Of the Government
whether directly or indirectly, through per
sons, firms or corporations, contracting with
the State, shall conform to the reduced stand
ard of eight hours per day recently adopted by
Congress, for national employees, and also an
amendment to the acts Of Incorporation for
cities and towns by which all laborers and
mechanics employed ut their expenses shall
conform to the same number Of hours.
g. That the protection Of life, liberty and
property are the three cardinal principles of
and the first two are more sacred
than the latter therefore, money needed for
prosecuting wars should, as it is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
and not entailed a. q burden on pos
terity.
TO- That it is the duty Of the government
to 30 exercise its power over railroads and
telegraph corporations, that they shall not
in any case be privileged TO exact such rates
Of freight, transportation or charges by what |
over name, may bear unduly or inequitably |
upon the producer or consumer.
III. That % both history and experience |
teach us that power ever seeks TO perpstuate |
itself by every and all means at .its command. |
and that its prolonged possession in the hands |
Of one person ID always dangerous to the |
liberty Of free people, and beleivn that |
the spirit of our organic laws, and the Asabili-
ty and safety Of our free institutions are best |
Dbeyed on the one hand and secured ON the |
other by regular constitutional change |
in the Chief Executive Of the country ut |
sach quadrennial election therefore we are |
N favor OF limiting the occupancy Of the |
presidential chair TO one term
IL. That there should be such reform in |
he civil service Of the national government |
- viii remove it beyond all partisan influence,
md place it in the charge and under the di- |
rsction Of intelligent and compstsut business
men.
Is. That We are in favor Of granting UNI
Versa amnesty and restoring the Union ut
once on the basis Of equality Of rights and
privileges to all, the impartial administration
IF Justice being the only true bond of union
% bind the States together and restore the
Affections II the people 70 the government
IA. That We deem il expedient for Con-
press to revise the patent laws % a. TO give
abOrers more fully the benefits Of their own
deas and inventions
Is That fitness and not political or psrsou-
considerations should be the only reosm-
to public Office. either appointive
Dr. elective, and any or Ill laws looking 10 the
Of tAis principle are heartily
approved.
Is. That we demand thu subsection Of the
military TO the civil auth0ritaea, and the
'onfinsmsut Of its operation 10 natianal par.
poses alons.