The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-01-29
Declaration Of Principles
OF THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

Our Government is founded sJlcly 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 moncrohes which it has
engendered; this system being monaFchical
10 its principles and subversive of Republi.
can Government. And a. experiences demon.
strates that we Ca have no hope OF reform
from existing political parties. it becomes our
imperative duty TO organize n 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 aud
extravaganza which overfi0ws 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. 1t 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 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currency, should be withdrawn from circula-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 of anv 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-
tion 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 90 paid. This money
to be Interchangeable, at the option IT the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing rate Of interest not exceeding 3.65
per cent. per annum.
2. This system Of finance will, by stimu-
lating 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
nishing Sufficient money ut low interest, will
solve the question Of cheap transportation,
because it will enable the railroadt and car.
rying trades to relieve themselves of then
loads Of debt, lower their rates, and enable
the people TO construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. 1t is the duty of the Government, in
all its legislation, to keep in ylsi8 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 til,
hands Of the Government, aud through the
monetary system here proposed all these in
} terests can be fully secured.
=. That as the public domain is the right
ful heritage Of the people, it should not b,
distributed TO spectators or corporations but
reserved for actual settlers.
Z. That it is the duty of the Government
to equalise the bounties Of soldiers, and t.
bring TO q speedy settlement all other just
CLAIMS arising out Of the late war
5. All rlghtS, privileges aud inmunities
recognized by the Government should BE-
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 ali branches u
the public service
10. The rivers and harbors being undei
the Jurisdiction Of the Government. alould
! be by 1t improved when necessary to tbs
commerce Of the people.
IL. Through the monetary system hereir
proposed, there will be established between
the citizens OF this country, East, West
North and South, firm and lasting bond Of
unicn, by giving a common interest in a com
mou Government, and bringing peace and
prosperity to each and all OF its inhabitants
IL. As all special privileges, immunitiei
and powers conferred ON corporations OF any
kind or nature are granted at the expense d
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.