The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-09-28
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 relig
ious and political liberty compatible with the
good order Of society as 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
lmmunltles from the Government, but in con-
siderstion Of public services and any laws
destructive OF these fundamental principles
are without mcral binding force and should be
repealed and we believe that the evils re-
snltiRg 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 q 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 Of banking corporations which money
shall be legal tender in the payment Of all
debts, public and private and interchangea-
bic at the option Of the holder for government
bonds, bearing rate Of interest not to exceed
three and sixty five hundreths per cent sub
ject to future legislation by Congress
?. That the national debt should be paid
IN good faith according to 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 a
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 extortlOnate rates Of interest is a vio-
latiOn Of all ipt 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 reforIna-
tory institutions
j. That the public lands of the United
States belong to the people, and should not
be sold 70 individuals nor granted to corpora
lions, but should he held as a 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
.. That Congress should modify tariff 80
- to sAmit free such articles of common use
- We can neither produce or grow, and lay
duties for revenue mainly upon articles of lux
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
Z. That the presence in our country Of
Chinese labOrers, imported by capitalists in
large numbers for servile use, IL 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 q law
by which all mechanics and day Iaborers 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 70 the acts Of Incorporation for |
cities and towns by which all laborers and |
mechanics employed 81 their expense shah |
conform TO the same number Of hours