The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-04-26
Platform Of the National Labor Union.

Platform Of the National Labor Union
We hold that all political power is nhe-
rent il the people. that free government is
founded on their authority, and established for
thelr benefit that all citizens are equal in
political rights. entitled % 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 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 he
repealed and We believe that the evils re
sultlng from unjust legislation now affecting
the industrial classes can he removed by the
adoption of the principles contained III the
following declarations. Therefore resolved
l. That it IL 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 Of banking corporations, which money
shall he a legal tender in the payment Of all
debts, public and private and mterchangea-
BILE at the option OF tie holder for government
bonds, bearing rate of interest not to exceed
three and sixty five hundreths per cent sub
ject to future sgislation by Congress.
, That tn national debt should he paid
in good faith according to the original contract
at the earliest option Of the government, with
out mortgaging the property " the people,
and the future earnings Of labor TO enrich q
few capitalists at home and abroad
3 That Justice demands that the burdens
OF government should he 50 adjusted as to bear
equally on all classes and interests, and the
exemption from taxation of government bonds
bearing extortlonate rates of interest, Is vio-
lation Of all Just principles of revenue laws
4. That the enlightened spirit OF the age
demands the abolition " the system of con.
tract labor III our prisons and other reforma
tory institutions.
). That the public landS OF the United
States belong To the people, and should not
be- sold T. individuals ltnr granted "a corpora
tons hut should be- held as a sacred trust for
the benefit Il the people ana should he grant
ed free of cost D. landleSs settlers only In
amounts not exceeding 100 acres each
q. That Congress should modify tariff Sd
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 ~ manufacture A
viii We having the raw material III abund
ance-assist in further developing the resour
cvs If the country
:. That the presence III our country OF
Chinese laborers, imported by capitalists il
large numbers for servlle use, is an evil entail
ing want and its attendant train of misery
and crime all cslasse Of the American PEG
pie, and should be prohibited by legislation
). That we ask for the enactment of Law
by which all mechanics and day laborers EN-.
pluyed by or on behalf Of the Government
whether directly Or indirectly, through per.
sons, firms or corporations, contracting with
the State, shall conform t. the reduced st and
ard Of eight hours per LAY recently adopted BY
Congress, for national employes, and also al
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.
9. That the protection OF life, liberty ard
property the three cardinal principles 81
government, and the first two are more sacred
than the latter I; therefore, money needed foI
prosecuting wars should, as it is required bt
assessed and collected from the wealth Of tn,
country, and not entalled a. a burden ON pos.
terity
10 That it is the duty Of the government
to SO 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
ever name, as may bear unduly or inequitably
upon the producer or consumer
H. That as both history and experience
teach us that power ever seeks to perpetuatt
itself by every and all means at its command,
and that its prolonged possession in the hands
of one person is always dangerous to the
liberty Of free people, and believing that
the spirit Of our organic laws aud the stabili-
tY and safety Of free institutions are best
obeyed on the one hand and secured on the
other by a regular constitutional change
In the Chief Executive of the country at
each quadrennial election therefore we are
in favor of limiting the occupancy Of the
presidential chair to one term.
IL. That there should he such reform in
the civil service Of the national government
as will remove 1t beyond all partizan influence,
and place it in the charge aud under the di-
rection of intelligent and competent business
men.
l3. That we are in favor of granting uni.
versal amnesty, and restoring the Union al
once on the basis Of equality Of rights and
privileges to all, the impartial administration
Of justice being the ouly true bond Of union
to bind the States together and restore the
affections Of the people to the government,
IA. That We deem it expedient for Con
gress to revise the patent laws so as to give
laborers more fully the benefits of their own
ideas and inventions.
l5 That fitness and not political or person.
al considerations should he the only recon-
nendation to public office, either appointive
or elective, and any or all laws looking to the
establishment Of this principle are heartily
approved.
Is That we demand the subsection of the
military to the civil authorities, and the con
finement of its operation to national purposes
alone