The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-27
TO THE woRKINGMEN
n 1UNITED STATES.

On July 10th, 1873, the Industrial Con-
gress, body composed of delegates from
bona fde workingmen's associations situated
'in all parts of the country, convened in
Cleveland and effected a permanent organ
,izatiQp. FThe objects of this Congress of
BONA fde working'nen are SO well and ably
defined in the declaration Of principles
adopted, that | cannot do better than sub
init them to you with this circnlar
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF THE INDUS
TRIAL CONGRESS.
WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead TO
the pauperization and hopeless degradation of
the toiling masses, render it imperative, if we
desire to enjoy the blessings of the govern
ment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that check should be placed npon
its power and unjust accumulation, and
system adopted which will secure to the la
borer the fruits OF his toll, and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
Only be accomplished by the thorough uni6ca-
tion of labor, and the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine injunction that ''In the
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" and
WHEREAS, While we recognize in the bal
box an agency by which these wrongs can
be redressed when other means fail, yet the
great desideratum of the hour is the organiza-
tion, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the producing masses, as q stepping stone to
that education which will in future lead to
more advanced action. through which the ne
cessary reforms can be obtained; and
WHEREAS, While we fully recognize the
power and efficiency Of Trade and Labor
Unions, local and international, as now or
ganized, in regulating purely trade matters,
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare az q whole the influence Uf these or
CARNATIONS without closer union must prove
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the people OF
the United States the objects sought to be &C.
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First-To bring within the folds Of the or.
ganization every department Of productive in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth-the true standard OF individu.
al and national greatness.
Second-T0 secure to the toiler an equal
share of the wealth which he helps to create
more Of the leisure that rigidly belongs to
him more societary advantages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and smOluments Of the
world; in q word, all those rights and privi.
leges necessary to make him capable Of en-
ioying appreciating, defending and perpetu-
ating the blessings Of Republican institutions.
Third-To arrive at the true condition Of
the producing masses in their educational,
moral and financial condition, we demand
from the several States and from the Nation
al Government the establishment Of Bureaus
of Labor Statistics.
Fourth-The establishment Of cooper ative
institutions, productive and distributive.
Kfth-Tse reservirg Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
lers and not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators.
Sixth-The abrogation of all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, and
by the adoption Of measures providing for the
health and safety Of those engaged in mining,
manufacturing or building pursuits.
Seventh-The substitution Of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employees are willing to meet on equitable
grounds
Eighth-The prohibition Of the importation
| of all servile races, the discontinuance of al
subsidies granted to national vessels bringing
them to our shores, and the abrogation, or a
least, the modification, Of the BurhngAm'
| Treaty.
| Ninsh-To advance the standard Of Ameri
can mechanics by the enactment and enforce
ment of equitable apprentice laws.
Tsnth-To abolish the system Of contract
ing the labor Of conyicts in our prisons and
reformatory institutions.
Eleventh-The reduction Of the hours o
labor to eight per day, 20 that the laborer
may have more time for social employment
and intellectual improvement, and be enables
10 reap the advantages conferred by labor
saving machinery, which their brains hsv
created.