The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-12-30
Declaration of Principles
or THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

/ Our Government is founded solely upon the
| consent Of the people. and its powers are
subject 10 their control The evils we now
| i've under have resulted from the acts ~
| untalthtGl 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 nloncpOhes which 1t has
engendered thus system being monarcl;cal
| IN It's principles and subversive cs Repubh.
| can Government. And as experience demon
strates that NE bave 10 hope 20 rafnr,n
| from existing political parties, it becomes our
Imperative duty % organize a new party to
the end that We may resist the encruach-
ments Of the money power upon the rights Of
the people, stav the tide ~ corruption and
extravaganza which overtiows the land. and
place the control of the resources and finances
ot 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 81 the Government
establish = monetary system based upon the
I 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currency, should be withdrawn from circula-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
erument directly to the people without the in
Intervention Of any system of banking corpora
tIons. which money shall be a legal tender in
payment of all debts, public aud private
duties on imports included, Except that por-
tlon 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 Sc paidl. This money
u be int rchangeable, at the option of the
holders, with registered government bonds
bearing rate of interest not exceeding 8 Us
per cent. per annum.
2 This system Of finance will, BY stimu-
iatlng our industries and commerce, soon
make the United States the depository Of the
precious metals Of the world.
The adoption OF this system. by fur
nishins Sufficient money at low interest, Will
solve the question of cheap transportation,
because it will enable the ralroadt and car.
rying trades to relieve themselves of their
loads Of debt, lower their rates. aud enable
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. Ii Is the duty Of the Government ia
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.
3. 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
D. That a. the public domain is the right
tnl heritage Of the people, it should not be
distributed to spectators or corporations but
reserved for actual settlers
Z. That 1t Is the duty of the Government
to equalize the bounties Of soldiers, and to
bring to speedy settlement all other lust
claims arising out of the late war
8. 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 consttu-
ton.
9. That we demand and insist upon severe
retrenchment and economy in all branches Of
the public service.
TO- The rivers and harbors being under
the jurisdiction of the Government, SHOULD
be by it imprC yed when necessary to 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, firm and lasting bond Of
unlon, by giving a common interest in a COM
mon Government, and bringing peace and
prosperity to each and all Of its inhabitants.
L. As all special privileges, immunities
and powers conferred on corporations OF any
kind or nature are granted at the expense Of
the people, these privileges aud pow ers must
be held subordinate to the rights Of the
people, and subject to the supervision and
control 1.-THE power creating them.