The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-02-12
DeclaratiCu of Principles
oG THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

Our Government il 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 and the mOnopoles which it has
engendered; this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive Of Repnbli-
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 a 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 81 corruption and
extravaganza which overilows 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 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 busi-
ness. To this end the circulating notes of all
| National and State banks, 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currency, should be withdrawn from circula-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 any system of banking corpora
tions, which money shall be q legal tender iu
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
tallic money, shall be so paid. This money
to be interchangeable, at the option of the
holders, with registered government bonds
bearing rate Of interest not exceeding 3 6;
per cent. per annum.
q This system Of finance will, by stimu
lating our industries and commerce, sOoI
make the United States the depository Of tn
precious metals of the world.
3. The adoption of this system, by fur
nishing Sufficient money at low interest, vii
solve the question Of cheap transportation
because it will enable the railroadt and car
rying trades to relieve themselves Of thei
loads of debt, lower their rates, and ensbl
the people to construct additional lines when
ever internal commerce may require.
4. 1t is the duty Of the Government, II
all its legislation, to keep in view the full lie
velOpment of the agricultural and miners
resources OF our country and its manufactuT
ing interests.
5. That the great interests of productiv
tuduSbiy Cldlh bhclF Just ICNpkhltibh a. th
hands Of the Government, and through til
, monetary system here proposed all these in
/ terests can be fully secured
8 6. That as the public domain is the right
full heritage of the people, it should not b
distributed to spectators or corporations bu
, reserved for actual settlers.
I. That it is the duty Of the Government
to equalize the bounties Of soldiers. and L
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 right
before the law being secured by the cohstitu
ton.
9. That We demand and insist upon sever
retrenchment and economy in all branches d
the public service
10. The rivers and harbors being undo
, the jurisdiction Of the Government. saOul
be by 1t improved when necessary to tn
commerce of the people.
III. Through the monetary system herei
proposed, there will be established betwee
the citizens of this country, East. West
North and South, firm and lasting bond 3
union, by giving a common interest in a com
mOu Government, and bringing peace an
; prosperity to each and all of its inhabitants
II. As all special privileges, immunitie
8 and powers conferred on corporations of an
kind OF nature are granted at the expense Q
the people, these privileges and powers mus
be held subordinate to the rights Of tn
people, and subject to the supervision IN
control Of the power creating them.