The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-26
Declaration Of Principles
OF THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

Our Government il 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 monopOhes which it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive Of Republi-
can Government And ~ experience demon
strates that we can have no hope OF reform
from existing political parties. it becomes our
imperative duty to organize . 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 overfOws 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-
bows:
l. 1t is the duty of the Government tn
establish a 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 bust
ness To this end the circulating notes Of all
National and State tanks, well as all local
currency, should be withdrawn from circula-
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 be legal tender in
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 50 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 annum.
q 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.
g. The adoption of this system, by fur
nishing sufficient money at low interest, VIII
solve the question of cheap transportation,
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. 1t 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.
5. 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.
6. That as the public domain is the right
full heritage Of the people, it should not be
distributed to spectators or corporations but
reserved for actual settlers.
| Z. That it is the duty of the Government
to equalize the bounties of soldiers, and tc
bring to a speedy settlement all other just
claims arising out Of the late war
s. All rights privileges and immunitie'
recognized by the Government should b.
based on the fact of citizenship, equal right,
before the law being secured by the constitu
ton.
9. That we demand and insist upon sever
retrenchment and economy in all branches o
the public service.
10. The rivers and harbors being unde
the Jurisdiction of the Government. shout
be BY it improved when necessary TO tn
commerce OF the people.
IL. Through the monetary system herei
proposed, there will be established between
: the citizens OF this country, East, West
North and South, a firm and lasting bond o
union, by giving a common interest in a com
muu Government, and bringing peace an
prosperity to each and all Of its inhabitants
II. As all special privileges, immunitie
and powers conferred on corporations of an
kind or nature are granted at the expense G
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.