The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-04-08
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 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 Ca have no hope of reform
from existing political parties. it becomes our
imperative duty to organize a new party, tO
the end that may resist the encroach-
ments of the money power upon<he rights OF
the people, stay the tide Of corruption and
extravaganza which overows 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 t. be as tol-
| lows:
/. 1t is the duty of the Government
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 banks, 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currency, should be withdrawn from eircula-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
interv ention OF any system OF banking corpora
tions, which money shall be a legal tender IN
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 SO paid. This money
to he interchangeable, at the option of tn,
| bpl5erS NTH ratrIataraH honda
bearing a rate of interest not exceeding 3. &.
per cent. per annum.
, This system of finance will by stimu
lating our industries and commerce, sool
make the United States the depository of tn
precious metals Of the world.
3. The adoption Of this system, by fur
nishing Sufficient money at low interest, vii
solve the question Of cheap transportation
because IT will enable the railTOadt and car
rying trades to relieve themselves Of thei
loads of debt, lower t..eII rates, and enabl
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. 1t is the duty Of the Government, il
all its legislation, - keep in view the full lie
velopment Of the agricultural and ninera
resources OF our country and its manufactur
ing interests
). That the great interests Of productiv
industry claim their Just recognition at tn
hands Of the Government, and through til
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. it should not b
distributed to spectators or corporations bu
reserved for actual settlers.
Z. That it is the duty of the Government
TO equalize the bounties Of soldiers and t
bring to a speedy settlement all other JUS
claims arising out of the late war.
5. 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
he public service
TO- The rivers and harbOrs being unde
che jurisdiction Of the Government, saoul.
be by it improved when necessary to tn,
commerce Of the people.
H. Through the monetary system hereil
proposed, there will be established between
the citizens of this country, East, West
North and South, firm and lasting bond o
unlCn, by giving a common interest in com
mon Government, and bringing peace anC
prosperity to each and all Of its inhabitants
u As all special privileges, immunitiei
and powers conferred on corporations Of any
knd or nature are granted at the expense o
the people, these privileges aud powers mus
be held subordinate to the rights Of tn,
people, and subject to the supervision anC
control OF the power creating them.