The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-05-08
Declaration Of Principles
OF THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY.

| Our Government Is founded solely upon the
! consent of the people, and its powers are
| subject to their control The evils we now
\ live under have resulted from the acts If
unfaithful representatives who have sci the
interest of party above that of the people.
These evils chiefly displayed in our none
| tary system and the mOnopDhes which II has
engendered this system being monarchcdl
| in its principles and subversiVe OF Repuhli-
can Government. Aud as experience demon
strates that We can have no hope Of reform
from existing political partie, it becomes our
imperative duty to organize new party, to
the end that we may resist the encroach-
| ments ot the money power upon the rights ot
the people, stay the tide Of corruption and
extravaganza which overtl0Ws the land. aud
place the control nf the resources and finances
OF the country IN the hands of the people.
We therefore establish the Independent
party, and declare it, principles tn be As fol
lows
|. Ii is the duty nf the Government u
establish monetary system based upon the
faith and resources Of the nation, in harmony
with the genius of this Government. aud
adapted to the demands Of legitimate husi
ness. To this end the circulating notes Of all
National and state banks, a. We'll a. all local
currency. should be withdrawn from circula-
D
ernment directly to the people without the in
Intervention Of any system Of banking corpora
tions. which money shall he a legal tender III
payment of all debts, public aud private.
duties on imports included. except that por-
tion OF the interest and principal Of the pres
ent public debt that is, By the express terms
of the law creating 1t, made payable in me-
t.llic money, shall be PAID This money
70 be interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing a rate OF interest not exceeding 2 80
per cent. per annum.
,. This system of finance will, by stlnu-
lating our industries and commerce, soon
make the United States the depository Of the
precious metals Of the world.
,. The adoption OF this system, by fur
nisiing slfhcicnt money at low interest, will
solve the question Of cheap transportation,
because it will enable the railroads and
rying trades to relieve themselves Of their
loads OF debt, lower Their rates, and enable
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce NAV require.
1. 1t is the duty OF the Government, IN
all its legislation, 10 keep in the full de
velopment Of the agricultural and mineral
resources OF our country and its manufactur
ing interests.
). That the great interests OF productive
industry claim their Just recognition at the
hands ~ Ihe Government, and through the
monetary system here proposed all these in
terests can be fully secured.
q That a. the public domain is the right
ful heritage Of the people, it should not be
distributed To spectators or corporations but
reserved for actual settlers.
- That it Is the duty of the Government
to cqualize the bounties Of soldiers, and to
bring to a speedy settlement all other Just
claims arising out of the late
). All rights, privileges and immunties
recognized by the Government should be
based On the fact ii citizenship, equal rights
! before the law being secured by the cons titu
/ tlon.
/ .. That We demand and insist upon severe
retrenchment and economy in all branches OF
the public service.
! 10 The rivers and harbors being under
the jurisdiction of the Government. should
be by it improved when necessary to the
commerce Of the people
IL. Through the monetary system herein
proposed, there will be established between
the citizens Of this country, East. West,
North and South, a firm and lasting bond Of
union, by giving a common interest in a com
mou Government, and bringing peace and
prosperity to each and all of it's inhabitants
II. As all special privileges, lmmunitles
and powers conferred on corporations Of any
kird or nature are granted at the expense OF
the people, these privileges and powers must
be held subordinate to the rights of thC
people. and subject to the supervision and
coutrol of the power creating them.