The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-06-10
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 haYe 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 subversive of Republ-
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 q 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 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currency, should be withdrawn from circula-
ernment directly to the people without the in
Intervention ofany system OF banking corpora
tons, 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 so paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing a rate of interest not exceeding 8 IS
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
g. The adoption of this system, by fur
nlshing sufficient money at low interest, will
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. 1t is the duty of the Government, in
all its legislation, to keep in view the full de
velopment of the agricultural and minera
resources OF our country and its manufacture
ing interests.
8. That the great interests Of productive
industry claim their Just recognition at the
hands of the Government, and through the
monetary system here proposed all these in
) terests can be fully secured.
: 8. That as the public domain is the right
! full heritage Of the people, it should not b
distributed to spectators or corporations but
reserved for actual settlers.
q. That it is the duty of the Government
to equallze the bounties of soldiers, and Il
bring to speedy settlement all other Just
claims arising out of the late war
D. All rights, privileges and immunities
Recognized by the Government should BE-
based on the fact OF citizenship, equal rightl
before the law being secured by the constitu
ton.
.. That We demand and insist upon sever,
retrenchment and economy in all branches o.
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.
IL. Through the monetary system hereiI
proposed, there will be established between
the citizens Of this country, East, West
North and South, a firm and lasting bond Of
: union, by giving q common interest in q com
mun 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 o.
the people, these privileges and powers mus
be held subordinate to the rights Of the
people, and subject to the supervision and
control of the power creating them.