The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-02-08
Platform Of the National Labor Union.

We hold that all political power is inhe-
rent in the people, that free government ls
founded on their authority, and established for
their benefit Il that all citizens equal in
political rights, entitled to the largest relig-
ious and political liberty compatible with the
good order of society, 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
immunities from the Government, but in con
sideration Of public services and any laws
destructive of these fundamental principles
without moral binding force and should be
repealed and We believe that the evils re-
sulting from un Just legislation now affecting
the industrial classes can he 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 Of banking corporations, which money
shall be legal tender IN the payment of all
debts, public and priWts and interchangea-
bic at the option Of tie holder for government
bonds, bearing a rate Of interest not to exceed
three and sixty hundreths per cent sub
lect to future sgislation by Congress
2 That tn 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 shat the burdens
Of government should be SO adjusted rs to bear
equally on all classes and interests, and the
.
bearing eXtortIonate rates of interest, Is vio-
lation IF all Just principles Of revenue laws.
4 That the enlightened spirit of the age
demands the abolition Of the system ot con
tract labor in our prisons and other reforma.
tory institutions.
). That the public lands Of the United
States belong to the people, and should moi
be sold to individuals nor granted to corpora
tIons but should be held IS a sacred trust fol
the benefit Of the people and should be grant
ed free of cost 10 landless settlers only il
amounts not exceeding l6O acres each
6. That Congress should modify tariff $,
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 Of manufacture Al
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 o
Chinese laborers, imported by capitalists il
large numbers for servile use is an evil entail
ing want and it's attendant train of miser,
and crime on all cslasse OF the American PEG
| pie, and should be prohibited by legislation
s. That we ask for the enactment Of Law
I by which all mechanics and day laborers EN-
I ployed by or on behalf Of the Government
whether directly or indirectly, through per
/ sons, firms or corporations, contracting viii
the State, shall conform to the reduced stand
ard ot eight hours per day recently adopted by
| congress, for national employees, and also al
amendment TO the acts OF incorporation fo
cities and towns by which all laborers ,ns
mechanics employed at their expenses shall
conform to the same number of hours
3. That the protection Of life, libeI ty an,
7 property are the three cardinal principles o
4 government, and the first two are more sacre,
than the latter therefore, money needed 70
| prosecuting wars should As it is required. b.
assessed and collected from the wealth Of tn
country, and not entailed a burden on pos
tes1ty.
| 10 That it is the duty Of the government
to 50 exercise its power over railroads All,
I telegraph corporations that they shall no
| in any case he privileged to exact such rate.
Of freight, transportation or charges by what
| ever name, a. may bear unduiy or inequitably
4 upon the producer consumer.
/ H. That as both history and experience,
teach rs that power ever seeks to perpetual,
/ itself by every and all means at its command
and that its prolonged possession in the hand
/ ~ one person is always dangerous to tn,
I liberty Of free people and believing tina
/ the spirit of our organic laws, and the stabili
Y tv and safety Of our free institutions are hes
obeyed on the one hand and secured on tn,
other by a regular constitutional chang,
in the Chief Executive Of the country Al
each quadrenHial election therefore we ar,
IN favor of limiting the occupancy of til,
/ presidential chair to one term.
II. That there should he such reform il
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
rectlon OF intelligent and competent bushes,
men
49, That we are in favor Of granting uni
versal amnesty, and restoring the Union al
once op the basis Of equality Of rights and
privileges to all, the impartial administration
Of justice being the Gully true bond Of union
u bind the States together and restore the
affections Of the people to the government
~ That We deem Il eXpedient for is0n.
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.
incubation to public office, either appointive
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
tnement Of its operation to national purposes
alone