The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-05-17
Platform Of the National Labor Union.

We hold that All political power n 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. also the use aud en-
iUyment ofthe fruits OF their labor and talents
and no man or set OF men are entitled Ia 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repealed and we believe that the evils re-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 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 tn
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 legal tender in the payment of all
debts, public and prIvsfe and Interchangea-
BILE at the option of the holder for government
bonds bearing rate Of interest not to- exceed
three and sixty five hundreths per cent sub
lect to future sgislation by Congress.
= Thas tn , national debt should be paid
in good faith according to the original contract
at the earliest option Of the government, with
out mortgagng 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 he so adjusted a. to bear
equally on all classes and interests, and the
exemption from taxation Of government bonds,
bearing eXtOrtiOnate rates Of interest, is viO-
lation of all Just principles of revenue laws.
L. That the enlightened spirit Of the age
demands the abolition IF the system Of con-
tract labor IN our prisons anu other reforma
tory institutions
/ ). That the public landS Of the United
States belong to the people, and should not
| be sold to individuals nor granted t. corpora
tons, but should be held a sacred trust for
| the benefit of the people, ana should he grant
| ed free OF cost to landleSs settlers only in
amounts not exceeding 100 acres each
B. 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 manly upon articles Of lux
ury and upon such articles Of manufacture as
viii we having the raw material in abund-
ance- assist in further developing the resour-
ces Of the country.
! J. That the presence in our country Of
Chinese laborers, imported by capitalists il
large numbers for servIle use, is evil entail
/ ing want and its attendant train Of misery
and crime on all cslasse Of the American PEG
pie, and should be prohibited by Legislation
s. 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
4 laf., IL Il. a l..
Congress, for national employees, and also an
amendment to the acts Of incorpoI alton for
cities and towns BY which all laborers and
mechanics employed at their expenses shall
| conform t. the same number Of hours
.. That the protection Of life, liberty ard
property are the three cardinal principles Of
| government and the irst two are more sacred
than the latter therefore, money needed foI
prosecuting wars should as it is required, he
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
country. and not entailed as a burden on pos
terity
10 That it is the duty Of the government
/ To so exercise its power railroads and
telegraph corporations that they shall not
in any case he privileged to exact such rates
Of freight, transportation or charges by what
ever name, may bear unduly or inequitably
! upon the producer or consumer.
/ H. That as both history and experience
teach us that power ever seeks to perpetuate
itself 10y 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 a free people. and believing that
the spirit Of our organic laws, aud the stabili
tv and safety a our 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 t. one term
II That there should he such reform III
the civil service Of the national government
as will remove it beyond all partizan influence,
and place it in the charge and under the di-
| rectIon Of intelligent and competent business
men.
IL That We are in favor Of granting uni
versal amnesty, and restoring the Union at
once ON the basis Of equality Of rights and
| pnveliges to all, the impartial administration
Of justice being the Gully true bond Of union
to bind the States together and restore the
affections Of the people to the government,
A. 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.
Is. That fitness and not political or person
al considerations should be the only recon-
mendation to public office, either appontive
! or elective, and any or all laws looking to the
/ establishment of this principle are heartily
| approved.
| l6. That We demand the subsection of the
military to the civil authorities, and the con
inement of its operation to national purposes
/ alone.