The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-12-25
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 monopohes which it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive of Republi-
can Government. And as experience demon
strates that we Ca 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
extrava Iance which overhows 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
|. 1t is the duty of the Government
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 bust
ness. To this end the circulating notes Of all
National and State banks, well as all local
currency, should be withdrawn from circula-
ton, and a 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 rate of interest not exceeding 3. 65
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 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 railroadt and car
rying trades to relieve themselves Of their
loads of debt, lower theiT rates, and enable
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. 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.
D. 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.
.. 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.
!. That 1t is the duty of the Government
to e4ualize the bounties of soldiers and u
bring to a speedy settlement all other Just
claims arising out Of the late war
s. All rights, privileges and imn mites
recognized by the Government shOuII be
based on the fact Of citizenship, equal rights
before the law being secured BY the constitu.
ton.
9. That we demand and insist upon severe
retrenchment and economy in all branches o.
he 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
ii. Through the monetary system herein
proposed, there will be established between
the citizens Of this country, East. West
North and South, firm and lasting bond o.
union, by giving common interest in a com
mou Government, and bringing peace anC
prosperity to each and all of its inhabitants
II. As all special privileges, immunitiei
and powers conferred on corporations of any
kind OF 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 and
control OF the power creating them.