The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-03-04
Declaration of Principles
or 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 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 monopohes which it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive Of Republi-
can Government Aud as experience demon
strates that We Co. have no hope of reform
from existing political parties, it becomes our
imperative duty to organize 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 Overhows 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 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currency, should be withdrawn from circula-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
ernmeut directly to the peOpl, w,rh a. the in
/ Intervention OF any system 81 ia J. ..- nrpora-
tions. which money shall he a i,-,i -ider in
payment Of all debts. public 4 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 paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option Of the
holders, with registered government bonds,
bearing a rate Of interest not exceeding 3. 6j
per cent. per annum.
? 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 Efficient money at low interest, viii
solve the question OF cheap transportation,
because II will enable the railroadt and car
rying trades to relieve themselves of theil
loads OF debt, lower thelf rates, and enable
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. 1t is the duty Of the Government, il
all its legislation to keep in view the full de
velopment of the agricultural and minera
resources OF our country and its manufactur
ing interests
>. That the great interests Of productiv,
lhuuStIl cldlh bheT Just recognition AT TN
hands Of the Government, and through tn
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 b.
distributed to spectators or corporations bu
reserved for actual settlers.
!. That 1t is the duty Of the Government
to equalIze the bounties of soldiers, and t,
bring to a speedy settlement all other JUS
claims arising out of the late war
s All rights, privileges and immunitie
recognized by the Government should b,
. based on the fact Of citizenship, equal rights
before the law being secured by the constitu
ton.
9. That we demand and insist upon sever
Ietrenchment and economy in all branches o
the public service
10 The rivers and harbors being unde
the jurisdiction of the Government. shoul.
be by it improved when necessary to tn
commerce Of the people
III. 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 o
union, by giving a common interest in com
muu Government, and bringing peace anC
prosperity to each and all of its inhabitants
T. As all special privileges, immunitie
aud powers conferred on corporations Of any
kind or nature are granted at the expense 0
the people, these privileges and powers mus
be held subordinate to the rights of tn,
people and subject to the supervision an,
control ~ the power creating them.