The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-03-25
Declaration OF Principles
~ THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

Our Government in founded solely upon the
! consent of the people, aud its powers are
subject to their control Tho evils va nav
live under have resulted from th. acts ~
unfaithful representatives. who have set the
interest Of party above that Of the people
These evils are chiefly displayed in our mons
tary system and the monopolies which it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive Of Republi-
can Government. Aud 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 overiows 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 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currency, should be withdrawn from circula-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
ernInent 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 he interest and principal Of the pres
ent pubic debt that Is, by the express terms
Of the law creating it, made payable in me
talllo money, shall be SO paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds
bearing rate Of interest not exceeding 3 6s
per cent per annum.
?. This system Of finance will, by stimu
latIng our Industries and commerce, sooI
make the United States the depository OF tn,
precious metals Of the world
| 3 The adoption Of this system, by fur
uishlng Sufficient money at 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 their 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, to keep nj view the full de
velopment OF the agricultural and minera
resources Of our country and its manufactur
ing interests
5. That the great interests Of productive
Industry claim their just recognition at tn
hands OF the Government, and through tn
monetary system here proposed all these in
terests can be fully secured.
q. That as the public domain is the right
ful heritage of the people. it should not b
distributed to spectators corporations bu
reserved for actual settlers
!. That it is the duty Of the Government
TO equallZe the bounties Of soldiers and t,
bring to a speedy settlement all other JUS
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.
g. That We demand and insist upon sever
retrenchment and economy in all branches 0
the public service.
10 The rivers and harbors being unde
the jurisdiction OF the Government saoul.
be by 1t improved when necessary to til,
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 0
union, by giving a common interest in com
mon Government, and bringing peace ant
prosperity to each and all OF its inhabitants
II. As all special privileges, immunitie
and powers conferred on corporations Of any
kIEd or 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 ant
control Of the power creating them.