The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-05-02
THE NATIONAL PLATFORGE.

ne Ieau4u5 VIII DEIti AeAAAi A0 ~ SnS SA |
feet that the Committee was singularly u
,ited in sentiment and that if the platform
should meet with as unanimous favor in
he Convention as it did in the Committee,
there was hope for the country.
WHEREAS. Throughout our entire coun-
try the value of real estate is deprecated
paralyzed, trade depressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced, unrpalIel-
I'd distress inflicted upon the poor and mid
1le ranks of our people, the land filed
with fraud, embezzlement, bankruptcy, |
crime, suffering, pauperism and starvation;
and,
WHEREAS, This state of things has been
brought about by legislation in the interest
of, and dictated by money lenders, bankers
and boDdholders: and,
Whereas, While We recognize the fact
that men in Congress connected with both
the old parties have stood up manfully for
the rights ofthe people, and met the threats
of the money power and the ridicule of an
ignorant and subsidized press, yet neither
the Republican nor the Democratic parties
in their national policies propose remedies
for the existing evils; and,
WHEREAS, The Independent Greenback
party, and other associations more or less
effective, have been unable hitherto to make
a formidable oppositiod to old party organ
izalions, and,
WHEREAS, The limiting of the legl ten
der quality of Greenbacks, the changing of
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
etization of the silver dollar, the excepting
Of bonds from taxation, the contraction of
the circulating medium. the proposed
forced resumption of specie payments
and the prodigal waste Of the public
lands, were crimes against the people, and
as far as possible, the resultsof these Grim
inal acts must be counteracted by iudicious
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con-
vention aud make declaratiog of our
principles and invite all patriotic citizens
to unite in an effort to secure financial re-
form and industrial emancipation.
The organization shall be known the Ma
tional Party, and under this name we will
perfect, without delay, National, State and
local associations to secure the election to
Office of such men only as will pledge
themselves to do all in their power to es.
tablish these principles.
First-It is the exclusive function of the
General Government to coin and create mo-
sues designed to circulate as money should
be suppressed. The circulating medium,
whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
by the Government and made full legal
tender for all debts, duties and taxes in the
United States at its stamped value
Second-There shall be no privileged
GLASS of creditors-official salaries, pension
bonds and other debts and obligations il
the legal tender money of the United States
strictly according to the laws under which
they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver b.
placed upon the same footing as that o
gold.
Fourth-Congress shall provide sale
money adequate to the full employment o
labor, the equitable distribution of it,
products and the requirements of business
fixing minimum amount per capita to thu
population as near as may be, and other
wise regulating its volume, by wise and e
itoI l. 1o 1hak h
of interest will secure to labor its just re
ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
and spirit of popular Government that an!
species of private property should be ex
empt from bearing its just share of th,
public burdens. Government bonds ant
money should be taxed precisely as othe
property, and a graduated income ia,
should be levied for the support of tn
Government and the payment of its debts
Sixth-The public lands are the com
mon property of the whole people, ant
should not be sold to speculators nor gran
ted to railroads or corporations, but shoult
be donated to actual settlers in Limited
quantities.
Seventh-The Government should, b,
general enactment, encourage the develop
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechan
ical, manufacturing and commercial resour
ces, to the end that labor may be fully EN-
ployed, but no monopolies should be legal
lied.
Eighth-All useless Offices should be a
, polished the most rigid economy enforce
, in every branch of the public service an
severe punishment inflicted upon public o.
fcers who betray the trusts reposed i
them.
r Ninth-As educated labor has devise
Q means for multiplying production by il
e vention and discoveries, and as their us
I requires the exercise of mind as we'll
body, such legislation should be had tn,
il the number of hours of daily toll will
: reduced, giving the working classes MOI
K leisure for mental improvement and soei,
l. enjoyment and saving them from prematu
i decay and death.
d Tenth-The adoptson of an Americs
5, monetary system as proposed herein wi
harmonic all differences in regard to tari
It and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
d the cost Transportation by land and waite
e distribte equitably the joint earnings
capital and labor, secure to the produce
II of wealth the results of their labor ar
n skill, muster out of the service the va
n hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
IF tenn grow rich upon the earnings of other
that every man and woman may by the
own efforts secure competence SO tn
overgrown fortunes and extrme povert
g will be seldom found within the limits
ls our Republic.
! Eleventh-Both National and Sta