The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-12
Declaration Of Principles
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 of
unfaithful representatives, who have set the
interest Of party above that Of the people
These evils are chiefly displayed in our none
tary system and the monopoIes which it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive Of Republi-
can Government. And rs experience demon
strates that we can have no hope OF reform
from existing political parties, it becomes our
imperative duty to organize q new party, to
the end that we may resist the encroach-
ments OF the money power upon the rights Of
the people, stay the tide of corruption and
extravaganza which overfiows the land, and
place the control Of the resources and finances
of the country in the hands of the people.
We therefore establish the Independent
marty, and declare its principles to be as fol-
bows
l. 1t is the duty Of the Government tn
establish monetary system based upon the
faith and resources Of the nation, in harmony
with the genius Of this Government, and
adapted to the demands of legitimate busi-
ness. To this end the circulating notes OF all
National and State banks, well as all local
currency, should be withdrawn from circula
n
eminent directly to the people without the in
intervention Of any system Of banking corpora
tions, which money shall be a legA tender III
payment Of all debts, public and private,
duties on imports included, Except that pOr-
ton of the interest and principal Of the pres
ent public debt that is, by the express terms
of the Law creating it, made payable In me-
tallic money, shall be SO paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing a rate Of interest not exceeding 3 %
per cent. per annum
2. This system of finance will, by stimu-
lating our industries and commerce, soon
make the United States the depository OF tn
precious metals of the world.
3. The adoption Of this system, by FUR
nishing sufficient money at low interest, will
solve the question Of cheap transpor atlt n,
because it will enable the railroads and ear
| 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 may require.
l. 1t is the duty of the Government, in
all its legislation, to keep in view the full de-
velopment of the agricultural and min, raj
resources OF our country and its manufac ur-
| ing interests.
). That the great interests OF productive
industry claim their just recognition the
hands of the Government, and throus the
monetary system here proposed all tn, IN
terests can be fully secured.
d. That as the public domain is the Il hit
full heritage of the people, it should ms he
distributed to Spectators corporation but
reserved for actual settlers.
T. That it is the duty Of the Governu emf
to equalize the bounties OF soldiers, and t.
bring to speedy settlement all other Just
claims arising out Of the late war
s All rights. privileges and immun tie
recognized by the Government should b.
based on the fact of citizenship, equal RI HIT
before the law being secured by the constitu
ton.
.. That we demand and insist upon 5, YER
retrenchment and economy in all branches o
the public service.
10 The rivers and harbOrs being III de
the jurisdiction Of the Government. s1' Ill
be BY it improved when necessary to tn
commerce Of the people.
H. Through the monetary system herei
proposed there will be established bctweel
the citizens Of this country, East. West
North and South. a firm and lasting bond q
union, by giving common interest IN CON
mou Government, and bringing peace an
prosperity to each and all Of it's inhabitants
II. AS all special privileges, immunitie
and powers conferred on corporations of an
kind or nature are granted at the expense &
the people, these privileges and powers mus
be held subordinate to the rights of tn
people, and subject to the supervision an
control of the power creating them