Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-09-29
Declaration of Independence
AND
Platform Of the Junior Sons of '76

pendcncc ana resolutions were adOptpd
by the State convention of the "Junior
Sons of 20" held at BclIefontc, Pa,
May 20, 1875. They are worthy OF
thoughtful perusal, as they mark a
new epoch in the political history of
Pennsylvania
WHEREAS, Unwisc legislation has
created and foisted upon the producing
classes of this republic great evils too
grevious and oppressive to be borne,
prostpted all industrial interests, re.
duced our fellow workmen to starva-
tion, pauperism and sorfdom, if not to
absolute slavery, all Of which is but the
uncrring logical results flowing from
the actions Of uniaithfnl, corrupt and
selfish representatives in our different
law making bodies, who place their
own sclf-interest, the interest of agere
gated monopoly and their party, above
and beyond the interests OF the citizens
and the welfare of the people, robbing
the toiling millions of their liberties
and the bread which they rightly earn,
and placing them entirely at the mercy
of an unfeeling and soulless monopoly
oligarchy, which, through legislative
behind judicial sympatby has ALREADY
taken from the nroduccrs of Ills conn.
try that liberty of action and cxnrcs.
sion which should always characterize
the citizens of n free repubhc and
virtually reduced them 10 vassalaoc
and scrfdom: Therefore we the del.
gates representing this State conven.
ton assembled. the industrial order
known as the Junior Sons of '7G firmly
relying upon the Creator of the uni.
verse and the iustncss of our cause for
protection and success do hereby de.
clare ourselves free and independent
of all political parties. clioncs and
monopolies OF all kinds, that whatever
have shadow of tendency TO per
petuate the present oppressive and
tyrannical policy of the government
and never TO cease our united efforts
to reconstruct the government of this
Republic upon the basis of Justice
freedom and equality of its citizens, as
established by the Senior Sons Of '7G
after a bloody conflict of seven years
duration, which gaye liberty 10 n CON
tinent and wrested from the crown of
Great Britain one of lis brightest and
best Jewels. To ACCOMPLISH these re.
suits so much desired by every good
citizen, we recognize the Legitimate use
of the ballot as one of the means
whereby the liberties of the citizens
can be restored, and the Republic TO
its natural prosperity. For his pur-
pose and for this end we cordially in
vite all patriotic and good citizens, all
toilng producers. and all Reform and
Labor Associations TO enlist in our
ranks and cooperate with us in bring
ing about the so much needed rcsulst.
and aid in restoring TO our now op,
pressed citizens their natural and in
aleniablc rights and liberties which
have been cunningly and fraudulcntly
fiched from them bv an Organized.
aggregated, monied monopoly, and its
dupcs selfish party politicians. Fail
ing in this mode, there is but one way
for redress open left to us which will
become the duty of every member of
our order to prepare for and heartily
avail themselves of when forced upon
us. To accomplish the objects herein
set forth, we individually and unitcdly