Huntsville gazette., 1886-12-25
PREAMBLE
And Declaration Of Principles
Of the Knights of Labor of
America.
To he Public:

1he alarming development and
aggressiveness Of great capitalists
and corporations, unless checked, will
inevitably lead to the pauperization
and hopeless degradation of the toll
ing masses.
1t is imperative, if we desire to en-
ljoy the full blessings Of life, that
check be placed upon unjust accu-
mutation and the power for evil of
aggregated wealth.
This much-desired object can be
accomplished only by the united eff,
forts Of those who obey the .divir.e
injunction, "In the sweat of thy face
shalt thou eat bread"
Therefore, we have formed the
Order Of Knights Of Labor, for the
purpose of organizing and directing
the power Of the industrial masses
not as a political party, for it is
more-in it are crystallized senti-
ments and measures for the benefit
of the whole people; but it should be
bornei in mind, when exercising the
right of suffrage, that most Of the
objects herein set forth can only be
obtained t rough legislation, and
that it is the duty Of all to assist in
nominating and supporting with
their votes only such candidates as
will pledge their support to those
measures, regardless of party; but no
one shall, however, be compelled to
vote with the majority. And calling
upon all who be ieve in securing ''the
greatest good to the greatest num-
be-" tojoin and assist US, we dec are
to the world that our aims are:
| |. To make industrial and moral
worth, not wealth, the true standard
OF innividual and National greatness.
/ III. 10 secure to the workers the
full enjoyment Of the wealth they
create, sufficient leisure in which to
fdevelop their intellectual, moral and
social faculties: all Of the benefits,
recreation and pleasure association;
in word, to enable them to share in
the gains and honors of advancing
civilization.
In order to secure these results, we
demand at the hands Of the STATE:
| III. The establishment of Bureaus
IOf Labor Statistics, that we may ar
rive at correct know edge Of the
educational, moral and financial con.
dition Of the laboring masses.
| Nv. That the public lands, the
heritage of the people, be reserved
for actual settlers-not another acre
for railroads or spectators; and that
all lands now held for speculative
purpose be taxed to their full value
| Y. The abrogation ofall laws that
do not bear equally upon capital and
labor. and the removal of unjust
technicalities, delays and discrimina-
tions in the administration Of justice.
vi. The adoption of measures
providing for the health and safety
Of those engaged in mining and man>
ufacturing, building industries, and
for indemnification to those engaged
therein for injuries received through
lack of necessary safeguards
VII. The recognition, by incor~
poration, Of trades unions, orders
and such other associations as may
be organized by the working mass to
improve their condi ion and protect
their rights.
| VIII The enactment Of laws to
compel corporations to pay their en-
ployees weekly, in lawful money, for
the labor of the proceeding week,
and giving mechanics and laborers
first lien upon the product Of their
labor to the extent Of their full
wages.
TX. The abolition Of the contract
system on National, State and Mu-
nicipal works.
X. The enactment Of laws pro
viding for arbitration be ween en-
ployers and employed. and to enforce
the d cision Of the arbitrators.
XI. The prohibition by law of
the employment ofchildren under 10
years of age in workshops, mines and