The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-02-19
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 az
unfalthful 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 monopOlies which il 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 a new party, TO
the end that We may resist the encroach-
lnents Of the money power upon the rights Of
the people, stay the tide III corruption and
extravaganza which oveTtiows 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 du.y 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currency, should be withdrawn from clrcuia-
tion, and paper money issued by the Gov
eminent directly to the people without the in
| Intervention Of any system OF banking corpora
tons, which money shall be a 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 it, made payable IN me-
talllc money, shall be 80 paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing rate Of interest not exceeding 3 90
| per cent. per annum.
,. This system Of finance will, by stimu
latInE our Industries and commerce, soon
make the United States the depository OF the
precious metals VI the world
3. The adoption Of this system, BY flu
nlshing thcient money at low interest. all
solve the question of cheap transportation,
because It will enable the railIoaiJ aud car
ryIng trades t. relieve themselves VI their
loads VI debt, lower their rates, aud enable
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. 1t Is The duty VI the Government, N
all ats legislation, to keep ia view the null lie
Vel"Pment Of the agricultural aud mineral
resources u our country and it, manufac ,ui-
ing interests
.. That the great Interests 81 productive
industry claim their Just recognition al the
hands Of the Government, and through the
monetary system here proposed ali these IN
terests cln ~ fully secured.
Q. That as the public domain Is the right
iui heritage ~ the people. it should not be
distributed to Spectators or corporations but
reserved Tor actual settlers
| That 1t IS the duty OF the Government
I" equalize the bounties Of soldiers, and to
bring to speedy settlement all other JUS,
claims arising out Of the late war
$. All rights, privileges aud immuuities
recognized by the Government should he
based on the fact of citizenship. equal rights
before the law being secured by the constitu-
ton.
3. That We demand and insist upon severe
retrenchment and economy in All branches "
the public service.
10. The rivers and harbors being under
the jurisdiction of the Government should
be by 1t improved when necessary IL the
commerce Of the people
| III Through the monetary system herein
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 common interest IN a com
mon Government, and bringing peace ana
sperity To each and all OF its inhabitants
II. AS all special privileges. lmmumtieS
and powers conferred on corporations Of any
kind or nature granted at the expense u
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.