The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1877-02-03
Declaration of Principles
OF 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 .et the
interest of party above that of the people.
These evils chiefly displayed in our none
tary system and the monopolies which it has
engendered this system being monarchical
in its principles and subversive Of Republ-
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 new party, t.
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 overtlows 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
Il 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 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 should be withdrawn from circula-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
eminent directly to the people without the in
intervention OF any system Of banking corpora
tons, which money shall he legal tender in
payment Of all debts. public and private,
duties on imports included, Except that Dor.
tion Of the interest and principal of the pres
ent public debt that IL, by the express terms
Of the law creating il, made payable in me-
| talhc money, shall be SO paidl This money
70 be interchangeable. at the option Of the
holders. with registered government bonds,
/ bearing rate uf interest not exceeding 3 "a
per cent per annum.
2 This system 81 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 Sufficient money at low interest, will
/ solve the question Of cheap transportation.
| because 1t will enable the railioadt and car
/ rying trades to relieve themselves Of Their
/ load, Of debt, lower then rates. and enable
/ the people 70 construct additional lines when
| ever internal commerce may require.
A. ID Is the duty Of the Government, in
! 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.
;. That the great interests Of productive
< industry clam their Just recognition at the
hands Of the Government, and through the
monetary system here proposed all these in.
/ terests can be fully secured.
| .. That as the public domain is the right
/ tul heritage Of the people. II should not b,
l distributed 70 spectators OF corporations but
reserved for actual settlers
Z. That It Is the duty Of the Government
TO equalize the bounties Of soldiers, ana I,
bring % q speedy settlement all other Just
claims arising out Of the late war
). All rights. privileges and immunitei
recognized hy the Government should be
based On the fact az citizenship, equal right.
before the law being secured by the coustItu
| tiuu.
3 That We demand and insist upon sever,
| retrenchment and economy ia all branches q
the public service.
10 The rivers and harbors being under
the jurisdiction Of tile Government. sloul.
be by It impcc.od when necessary to tn,
commerce Of the people.
4 IL. Through the monetary system herein
1 proposed. there viii BE established between
the citizens of tins country. East, West
I North ana South a firm and lasting bond q
4 union, hy giving common interest in a com
mon Government, and bringing peace al,
I prosperity to each and all NJ its inhabitants
T.. As all special privileges, n,munitie
/ and powers conferred VA corporations 0f an,
Kind pr nature are granted at the expense o
the people, these privileges ana powers mus
be held subordinate To- the rights Of tn
7. people, and subject to the supervision an,
control the power creating them.