The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-12-09
Declaration of Principles
Or THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

Oar Government is founded solely upon tine
consent " tue people. and its powers are
/ subJec: 70 their control. The evils we now
/ i've under have resulted from the acts ~
| untaIthtui representatives. who have set the
interest of-party above that Of the people
| These evils are chiefly displayed Ia our none.
tary system and the mJucpolies which It has
engendered this system being munaruhical
| IN it, principles and subversive Of Republi-
can Government Aud as experience demon.
strates thar We Co. nave no hope Of reform
from existing political parties, il becomes gu.
imperative taty % organize a new party, t.
the end that we may resist the encroach-
mehts Of the money power upon the rights OF
the people. stay the tide Of corruption and
extravaganza which overilows the land, and
place the control of the resources and finances
" the country IA the hands Of the people
We therefore establish the independent
party and declare it. principles 10 be as fol-
lows
!. Il = the dIty Of the Government
establish a monetary system based upon the
faith and resources Of the nation. ii harmony
with the genius az THE Government. and
| asispte, ~ the demands Of legitimate busi.
ness. T. this eud the circulating notes Of All
National ami state banks, as vel az all local
currency, should be withdrawn from circula-
ton, aud paper money issued by the Gov
eminent directly to the people without the in
intervention ofany system Of banking corpora
tons, winch 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 il, made payable in mo-
talhc money, shall be SO paid) This money
u. no mn hos, l,la 81 H. E A.
holders, with registered government bonds
bearing rate 81 interest not exceeding 8 65
per cent per snnum
2. This system Of finance will by stimu-
latng cur Industries and commerce, soon
make the United States the depository Of the
precious metals 81 the world
3. The adoption of this system, by fur
nIshIng Sufficient money at low interest, will
solve the question Of cheap transportation,
because 1t will enable the railroadt and car
rying trades 70 relieve themselves of their
loads OF debt, lower their rates, and enable
the people 70 construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. 1t 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.
- AiifNt bhc EfhAb luteftsbe OF productive
industry clam their just recognition at the
hands Of the Government, and through the
monetary system here proposed all these in
terests can be fully secured.
q. That as the public domain is the right
tul heritage Of the people. it should not he
distributed to spectators or corporations but
reserved for actual settlers.
Z. That it is the duty Of the Government
TO equalize the bOnnties of soldiers, and to
bring 70 speedy settlement all other lust
claims arising out Of the late war
.. 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 constitu-
tion.
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
H. 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 com
mon Government, and bringing peace and
prosperity to each and all OF its inhabitants
II As all special privileges, immunities
and powers conferred on corporations Of any
kird or 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 the power creating them.