The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-05-03
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 aud en-
Ioyment OF the 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 III con
slderation 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repealed and We believe that the evils re-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 oi banking corporations, which money
shall be legal tender ia the payment Of all
debts, public and private and interchangea.
bic at the option Of tie holder for government
bonds, beariI . a rae of interest not to exceed
three and sixtv-tive hundreths per cent. sub
iect to future tgisatlon by Congress.
= Tha. til national debt should be paid
in good faith according to the original contract
at the earliest option 81 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.
g. That Justice demands that the burden,
Of government should be so adjusted as to beal
equally ON all classes and interests, and tn,
exemption from taxation of government bonds
bearing extortionate rates Of interest Is a VIC
lation 81 all Just principles Of revenue laws.
4 That the enlightened spirit Of the Az,
demands the abolition Of the system OF con
tract labor m our prisons and other retorma
tory institutions
3 That the public lands Of the Cntc,
States belong to the people, and should no
be sold to individuals nor granted to corpora
tions, but should be held as a sacred trust TO
the benefit of the people, and should be grant
ca free Of cost to landleSs settlers only II
amounts not exceeding 100 acres each.
d. That Congress should modify tariff 5,
to admit free such articles Of common us,
as we neither produce or grow, and la,
duties for revenue mainly upon articles Of lux
ury and upon such articles of manufacture a
will-we having the raw material IN ahund
ance-assist III further developing the resour
ces of the country.
J. That the presence III our country q
| Chinese laborers, imported BY capitalists i
| large numbers for serylle use, Is an evil entail
ing want and its attendant train Of mser
and crime on all cslasse Of the American pee
| pie, and should be prohibited by legislation
s That we ask for the enactment Of la,
by which all mechanics and day laborers EN-
ployed by ar On behalf Of the Government
.h..tl
sons, firms or corporations, contracting wit
the state, shall conform to the reduced stand
ard Of eight hours per day recently adopted J.
Congress, for national employees. and also a
| amendment To- the acts of Incorporation f.
| cities and towns by which all laborers an
mechanics employed at their expenses sha
conform u the same number Of hours
9. That the protection Of life. hb,Ity Az
property are tile three cardinal principles ,
government. and the first Two are more sacre
| than the latter therefore Inouey needed "a
prosecuting wars should. a It l. required. i
assessed and collected from the wealth ot tn
country, and not entalled as a burden on 10,
terity
10 That it is the duty of the govenmer
to 80 exercise its power over railroads an
telegraph corporations, that they shall II,
IN any case lie privileged to exact such rate
!
ever name. may bear unduly Or lneluitabl
upon the producer ~ consumer
III. That a. both history aud eNperlen,
teach us that power ever seeks to perpetual
itself by every and all means at ITS cnrnnan,
and that its prolonged possession in the hant
Of one person j. always dangerous 10 Oh
liberty Of free people, and believing TIA
the spirit Of our organic laws, aud the Stalnl
ty and safety Of our free institutions are re,
obeyed ON the one hand and secured on III
other by a regular constitutional cham
in the Chief Executive of the country Z
each quadrenAial election therefore We Al
in favor of limiting the occupancy ot til
presidential char to one term
- That there should W. such reform
the civil service Of the national governmeI
as will remove il beyond al partizan intuenc,
and place it in the charge and under the 4
rection Of intelligent and competent husine,
men
IL That We are III favor "a granting un
versal amnesty, and restoring the Union
once on the basis Of equality Of rights an
privileges to all, the impartial adminlstratio
Of justice being the only true bond Of uniu
to bind the States together and restore II
affections Of the people to the government.
IA. That We deem 1t eXpedient for ID
gress to revise the patent laws so as to gil
laborers more fully the benefits Of their ow
ideas and inventions
Is. That fitness and MOI political on person
al considerations should be the only recon
mendation to public office, either appoint,
Or elective, and any Or all laws looking to ii
establishment Of this principle are hearth
approved
Ii. That We demand the subsection Of Il
military to the civil authorities, and the COZ
tinement OF its operation to national purpos'
alone