The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-05
Declaration Of Principles
OF PIE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

Our Government is founded solely upon the
consent of the people, aud 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 orr none
tary system aud the mOnopOlies which it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive Of Republi-
can Government. And as experience demon
strates that We can have no hope Of reform
FROM existing political parties, it becomes our
imperative duty to organize a 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 oveTfiows 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
party, and declare its principles To be As fol-
lows
l. 1t is the duty Of the Government t.
establish monetary system based upon the
faith and resources d the nation, in harmony
with the genius OF this Government, and
adapted to the demands OF legitimate bust
ness. To this end the circulating notes Of all
National and State banks, as well as all local
currency, should be withdrawn from eircula-
ton, and paper money issued by the Gov
eminent directly to the people without the in
intervention OF any system OF banking CORPORA
tions. which money shall he legal tender ia
payment of all debts, public aad 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 80 paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing a rate Of interest not exceeding 3 65
per cent. per annunl-
2 This system Of finance will, BY stimu-
lating our industries and commerce, soon
make the United States the depository Of the
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 alton,
because it will enable the railroads and car
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.
A. IL is the duty Of the Government in
all its legislation, to keep in view 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 Of the Government, and through the
monetary system here proposed all these in
terests can be fully secured
8. That as the public domain is the right
| full heritage Of the people, it should not be
distributed to spectators or corporations hut
reserved for actual settlers.
!. That it is the duty of the Government
to equalize the DountIes If soldiers, aud t.
bring to speedy settlement all other Just
claims arising out Of the late war
5. All rights, privileges and immunities
recognized Nv the Government should he
based on the fact of citizenship, equal right.
before the Law being secured by the constitu
ton.
O. That We demand and insist upon sever,
retrenchment and economy in all branches y
the public service.
10 The rivers and harbors being undel
the jurisdiction Of the Government. sIouls
he by it improved when necessary to tn,
commerce OF the people.
IL. Through the monetary system herein
proposed, there will he established betweeI
the citizens of this country, East, West
| North and South. firm and lasting bond OF
unicn, by giving common interest in a com
mun Government, and bringing peace ant
| prosperity to each and all Of its inhabitants
II. As all special privileges, immunitie.
and powers conferred on corporations of an,
klrd or nature are granted at the expense O
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.