The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-03-11
Declaration of Principles
OF THE
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 our none
tary system and the monopOhes which it has
engendered this system being monEcbical
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 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 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 If the nation, in harmony
with the genius OF this Government, and
adapted 10 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currency, should be withdrawn from eircula-
tion, and paper money issued by the Gov
eminent directly to the people without the in
Intervention oi any system of banking corpora
lions. 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 he interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing rate Of interest not exceeding 3 81
per cent. per annum.
,. This system Of finance Will, by stimu
lating our industries and commerce, sooT
make the United States the depository Of tn,
precious metals Of the world.
3. The adoption of this system, by fur
nishing Sufficient money al low interest vii
solve the question OF cheap transportation
because it will enable the railroadt and car
rying trades to relieve themselves Of thei
loads of debt, lower theiI rates, and euabl
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. It is the duty Of the Government, i
all its legislation, to keep in view the full de
velopment Of the agricultural and ninera
resources OF our country and its manafactui
ing interests.
5. That the great interests Of productiv
industry claim their just recognition at tn
! hands Of the Government, and through th
monetary system here proposed all these in
} terests can be fully secured
{ 8. That as the public domain is the right
ful heritage Of the people. 1t should not b
distributed TO spectators or corporations bu
reserved for actual settlers
, q. That it is the duty Of the tiovernmen
to equalize the bounties Of soldiers, and t
bring to a speedy settlement all other jus
claims arising out Of the late war.
\ ). All rights, privileges and immunitie
recognized by the Government should b
e based ON the fact Of citizenship, equal right
! before the law being secured BY the constitu
ton.
.. That We demand and insist upon sever
: retrenchment and economy in all branches Z
the public service
10. The rivers and harbors being undo
the jurisdiction Of the Government, saoul
/ be by it improved when necessary to tn
commerce Of the people
IL. Through the monetary system heTei
proposed there will be established betwee
r the citizens of this country, East. West
= North and South, firm and lasting bond q
union, by giving a common interest in a con
A mOu Government, and bringing peace an
prosperity to each and all Of it, inhabitants
II. As all special privileges, immunitie
and powers conferred on corporations ~ an
{ kind or nature are granted at the expense Q
the people, these privileges and powers mus
be held subordinate to the rights Of sh
people, and subject to the supervision an
control Of the power creating them.