The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-04-01
Declaration of Principles
OF 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 it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subyersive of Republi-
can Government. And ~ experience demon
strates that we Ca have no hope Of reform
from existing political parties. il 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 overfiows 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 ~ fol-
lows
l. It is the duty of the Government
establish q 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 busi-
ness. To this end the circulating notes OF sll
National and State banks, - wen a al local
currency, should be withdrawn FROM circula-
ton, and 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
emit public debt that is. by the express terms
Of the law creating it, made payable In me-
tallic money, shall be SO paidl. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
, bearing rate of interest not exceeding J. &
per cent. per annum.
q This system of finance will, by stimu
, lating our industries and commerce, sooE
make the United States the depository Of thu
. precious metals of the world.
8. 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
4 rying trades to relieve themselves Of thei
loads OF debt, lower their rates, and enabl
q 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 in view the full de
velopment of the agricultural and minera
resources OF our country and its mAnufactur
ing interests.
S. That the great interests of productive
industry claim their just recognition ut tn
hands of the Government, and through th
: monetary system here proposed all these in
, terests can be fully secured.
o. That ~ the public domain il the right
I full heritage of the people, it should not b
I distributed to spectators or corporations bu
reserved for ectual settlers.
Z. That 1t il the duty Of the Government
D to equalize the bounties Of soldiers, and :,
bring to Q speedy settlement all other JUS
I claims arising out of the late war.
8. All rights. privileges and immunitiei
q recognized by the Government should b,
based ON the fact Of citizenship, equal right
e before the law being secured by the constitu
4 ton.
Y 9. That we demand and insist upon sever,
retrenchment and economy in ell branches o
3 the public service.
: 10. The rivers and harbors being unde
the jurisdiction OF the Government. shouls
be by it improved when necessary to tn
commerce of the people.
: III. Through the monetary system hersil
proposed, there will be established betweeI
, the citizens Of this country, East. West
7 North and South, firm and lasting bond o
J union, by giving common interest in com
mon Government, and bringing peace Ant
! prosperity to each and all Of its inhabitants
IL. As all special privileges, immunitis,
and powers conferred on corporations Of am
kird or nature are granted at the expense o
the people. these privileges and powsra mus
: be held subordinate 70 the rights Of tn
people, and subject to the supervision and
control of the power creating them.