The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-11-04
Declaration OF Principles
OF THE
INDEPENDENT PARTY

Our Government is founded solely upon the
consent Of the people. and lts powers are
subject to their control The evils VIC now
live under have resulted from the acts II
unfaithful representative. who have Set the
interest Of party above that ~ tle people
These evils are chiefly displayed iu uurI Une-
taTy system and the m0nopuhys which w has
engendered; this system being muuarehical
in it's principles and subversive WI Republic
can Government. And as experience demon
strates that we Ca have no hope OF reform
from existing political parties. Il becomes OUT
imperative duty to organize a new party to
the end that we may resist the encroach-
ments OF the money power upon 5he rights WI
the people, stay the tide of corruption ana
extravaganza which Overtows the land. and
place the control Of the resources and finances
Of the country in the hands of the people
We therefore establish the Independe1
party, and declare its principles to be a. fo..
lows
|. II is the duty ~ the Government
establish a monetary system based upon the
faith and resources 81 the nation, in harmony
with the genius Uf this Government. and
adapted to the demands Of legitimate bust
ness. To this end the circulating notes of all
National and State banks az well as alb local
currency, should be withdrawn irom circula-
ton, and paper money issued hy Tie Gov-
eminent directly to the people without tuc In-
Intervention Of any system 81 banking corpora
tions. which money shall be d legal t4udo ln
payment Of all debts. public and private.
duties ON imports included, Except that p0r-
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 iu me-
tallic money, shall w " paidj Tuis mUa4y
to be interchangeable, AZ the option w tu.
h.lIaru tt-tth r
bearing rate III interest not exceeding ~ 65
per cent. per aunum
2. This system Of finance will. hy slimu-
lating our industries and commerce. soon
make the United States the depository of the
precious metals OF the would
g. The adoption 0f this system hy fur-
nishing Sufficient money al low interest, vil
solve the question Of cheap transportation,
because it will enable the railroadJ and cam
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. Ii is the duty 81 the Government. in
all its legislation, to keep III vIew the full de-
veIopment VI the agricultural AVA mineral
resources OF our country and its mauufactur.
ing interests.
). That the great interests Of productive
industry claim their lust recognition al ths
hands Of the Government, and through the
monetary system here proposed All these in-
terests can he fully secured
g. That as the public domain ~ the riuht
full heritage OF the people. il should uut NV
distributed TO Spectators on corporations but
reserved for actual settlers
7. That it is the duty Of the Government
to equalize the bounties Of soldiers. and 70
bring TO a speedy settlement al other iust
claims arising out ~ the late war
;. All rights, privileges and immuuities
recognized by the Government should w
based on the fact Of citizenship, equal rights
before the law being secured Nv the constitu
ton.
8. That we demand and insist upon severe
retrenchment aud economy ia all branches Of
the public service
10. The rivers and harbOrs being under
the jurisdiction 81 the Government. should
be by it improved when necessary W 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
union, by giving a common interest In a com
mUn Government. and bringing peace and
prosperity to each and all u it, inhabitants
~. As all special privileges, immunities
and powers conferred on corporations VI INV
kird or nature are granted az the expense NJ
the people, these privileges and powers must
be held subordinate to the rights Of the
people. and subject to the supervision and
control : the power creating them.