The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-05-13
Declaration Of Principles
OY THE
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 aud the monopolies which Il he
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
extravaganza which overtiows 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
| l. 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, as 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currency, should be withdrawn from circula-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 ofany 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 so paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option of the
| hol1ara with rauIafarad hnuIs
bearing rate of interest not exceeding g. IS
per cent per annum.
2 This system Of finance will, by stimu-
latlng our industries and commerce, soon
make the United States the depository Of the
precious metals of the world.
3. The adoption of this system, by fur
nlshlng Sufficient money at low interest, will
I 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 their rates, and enable
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. IL 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
;. That the great interests of productive
industry clam their just recognition at the
hanus OF tne government, anu through the
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 be
distributed to spectators corporations but
reserved for actual settlers.
e Z. That it is the duty of the Government
to equallze the bounties of soldiers, and to
bring to a speedy settlement all other Just
: claims arising out of the late war
8. All rights, privileges and immunities
! recognized by the Government should be
based ON the fact of citizenship, equal rights
: before the law being secured by the consttu.
4 ton.
7 9. That we demand and insist upon severe
retrenchment and economy in all branches Of
: the 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 Of
union, by giving common interest in a com
mon Government, and bringing peace and
! prosperity to each and all of its inhabitants
IL As all special privileges, immunities
and powers conferred on corporations of any
kind Oh nature are granted at the expense Of
the people, these privileges and powers must
be held subordinate to the rights of the
people, and subject to the supervision and
control of the power creating them.