The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-01-04
Platform Of the National Labor Union.

We hold that all political power is inhe-
rent in the people, that free government 10
founded On their authoritg, md establiah s1fqe
their benefit !; that al citizens are equal N
political rights, entitled 70 the largest relig
ious and political liberty compatible with the
good order Of society, a. also the use and en-
ioyment ofthe fruits of their labor and talents,
and no mAn OF set Of mea ere sptit1sd b. tie
exclusive. ssparats em0lnInents, privilege Or
immunitiea from the GOvernment, but tn con-
sideEAtion OF pnbhe aefviees and eng hRp
destructive of these fundamental principles
are without moral binding force and should be
repealed and we believe that the evils re-
sultlng from unjust legislation now affecting
the industrial classes can be removed by the
adoption of the principles contaiaed b 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
tlonal circulating medium, bsssd 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 a legal tender in the payment of all
debts, public and PRIV d aud httsrchanRa-
BILE at the option Of tie holder for government
bonds, bearing raie of interest not to exceed
three and sixty five hundreths per cent. sub
feet to future egislatiOn by Congress.
2 That tn national debt sbeald b psid
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 hoTne and abroad
8. That Justice demands that the burdens
Of government should be SO adjusted a. to bear
equally ON all classes and interests, and the
eve frnm fav AFT r. M on1
bearing extortionats rates Of interest,", il . viO-
latiOn Of all Just 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 refOrmA
tory institutions.
5. That the public lands of the United
States belong to the people, and should not
be sold to individuals nor granted to corpora
tions, but should be held q sacred trust for
the benefit Of the people, and should be grant
ed free of cost to landless settlers only IN
amounts not exceeding 100 acres each.
g. 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 mainly upon articles of lux
ury and upon such articles Of manufacture a.
will-we havil ( the raw material in abund-
ance- assist III further developing the resour-
| ces Of the country.
7. That the presence in our country OF
Chinese labOres imported by capitalists il
| large numbers for servile use, il al evil entail
ing want and it, 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 Law
by which all mechanics and day laborers en-
ployed by u on behalf Of the Government
whether dire y NJ Indirectly, through per
the state, shall conform to the reduced stand
ard of eight hours per day recently adopted l.,
Congress, for national employees. and also al
amendment to the acts Of Incorporation for
cities and towns by which all laborers al,
mechanics employee at Their expenses sha
conform To the same number at hours
Q. That the protection of life, liberty an,
property are the three cardinal principles q
government, and the first two are more sacret
than the latter therefore money needed fo
prosecuting wars should. as it is required, b,
assessed and collected from the wealth of tn,
country, and not entaIled burden ON pos
terity.
10 That it j. the duty Of the government
10 so exercise it, power over railroads ant
telegraph corporations, that they shall no
in any case be privileged to exact such rate
Of freight, transportation on charges 10y what
ever name. as may bear unduly or inequitabl,
upon the producer or consumer
H. That As both history and sxparienc,
teach US that power ever seeks u perpetual,
itself by every and all means at its command
and that its prolonged possession il the nand
q one person is always dangerous TO tn,
liberty Of free people, and relieving tina
the spirit Of our organic laws, and the stabii
tv and safety of our free institutions are ICES
obeyed the hand and secured on tn,
other by regular constitutional chang,
III the Chief Executive Of the country a.
each quAdrennial election therefore We ar,
in favor Of limiting the occupancy Of tn,
presidential char to one term
IL That there should be such reform il
the civil service Of the national government
az will remove it beyond all partisan influence
and place it III the charge and under the di
rection Of intelligent and competent bushes,
| men.
Is. That we demand the subsection Of tn,
military to the civil authorities, and the
confinement Of its operation to national pur
poses alone.