The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-11-02
Platform of the National Labor Union

WE hold that ali political power j. inhe-
rent ~ the people. that free government is
founded ia their authority, ana established for
then benefit that al citIz,uS are equal III
political ,,htS, entitled ~ the largest relig-
ipr- aII pulItiy.i IEcrty compatible with The
--uoI urirr pf su ~ a. also the use aud en-.
Iuymcut otthr t-litS Of their labor and talents,
and 10 man wv At ut men are entitled tu tie
exclusive, Sci tTate emoiuments, privileges o.
ummunlti,~ from the Government but ia con
,Idcritiou w public services and any laws
destructive Of these fundamental principles
are withuu, moral binding force and should be
repealed and We believe that the evils rt.-
sulung 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 1t is the dutv of the government
to establish just standard Of distribution to
capital and labor, by providing purely ma
ti"ual circulating medium, based on the faith
ami resources Of the nation, issued directly to
the people without the intervention Of any
system 81 banking corporations, which money
shall tie legal tender III the payment Of all
debts, public and private and interchangea-
BE at the option OF the holder for government
bonds. bearing a rate Of interest not to exceed
three aud SIXTY i've hundreths per cent sub
lect to future legislation by Congress.
, That the national debt should he paid
~ good faith according to the original contract,
ut the earliest option OF the government, with
out mortgaung the property Of the people,
and th" ruturc pa6nings Of labor to enrich
few capi alrsts At home and abroad
? That Justice dsmandsthat the burdens
II government should be So adjusted As to bear
equally ON all classes and interests, and the
"a ray atI nf
earring eVtortiouate rates Of interest is a VIC
ls'l"n # al INST principles Of revenue laws
J. That the enlightened spirit Of the aye
demands the abolition If the system Of con
trait labor IN cur prisons and other reforma-
tory institutions
: That the public lands Of the United
states belong to the people, and should not
he sold to individuals nor granted to corpora
tons, but should be held as sacred trust for
the benefit Of the people, and should be grant
eel tree vi cost to landless settlers only in
amounts not exceeding l6O acres each
q. That Congress should modify tariff SO
a. Z" admit free such articles Of common use
- We can neither produce grow, and Law
dutles for revenue mainly upon articles oflux-
ury and upon such articles Of manufacture as
will we having the raw material in abund-
ance assist in further developing the resour-
ces of the country.
7. That the presence in our country of
Chinese laborers, imported by capitalists If
large numbers for servile use, is an evil entail
in2 want and its attendant train of misery
and crime on all classes Of the American peo-
pie, and should lie prohibited by legislation
:. That We ask for the enactment Of a 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 at their expenses shall
conform to the same number of hours.