The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-03-08


faithfully and without intermission
fourteen hours, and presented as their
unanimous report the following:
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by C~onfederated In
dustrial Organizations at st.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
PREAMBLE.
This. the first great labor conference
of the United States and of the world,
representing all divisions of urban and
rural organized industry, assembled in
national congress, invoking upon its
action the blessings and protection of
| Almighty God, puts forth to and for
the producers of the nation this declar-
alton of union and independence. The
conditions which surround us best
justify our co operation We meet in
the midst of a nationSbfOught to the
verge of moral, political, and material
ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot
box, the legislature, the Congress, and
touches even the ermine of the bench.
The people are d~emoralized. Many of
the States have been compelled to isO-
late the voters at the polling places in
| order to prevent universal intimidation
or bribery. The newspapers are sub
| sidized or muzzted, public opinion sill
| enced, business Frustrated, our homes
| covered with mortgages, labor impov-
erished, and the land concentrating in
the hands of capitalists. The urban
workmen are denied the right of organ
ization for self protection; imported
p~auperized labor beats down their
wages; a hireling standing army, I'm
recognized by our laws, is established
to shoot them down; and they are
rapidly degeneratlrg to European con-
ditions.
The fruits of the toll of millions are
boldly stolen to build up colossal for
tunes, unprecedented in the history of
the world, while their pOssessOrs de
spise the republic and endanger liberty.
From the same prolific womb of gov
ernmental injustice breed the two
great classes -paupers and milliOnaires.
The national power to create money is
appropriated to enrich bOndhOlders;
silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history, has been de-
monetized to add to the purchasing
power of gold by decreasing the value
of all forms of property, as well as hui
man labor, and the supply of currency
is %purposely abridged to fatten usurers,
bankrupt enterprise, and ensJave in
dustry. A vast conspiracy against
mankind has been organized on two
continents, and is taking possession of
the world. If not met and overthrow
at once it forbodes terrible social con-
vulsions, the destruction of civilization,
or the establishment of an absolute
despotism.
In this crisis of human affairs the in
telligent working people and producers
of the United States have come to-
gether in the name of peace, order, and
society to defend liberty, prosperity
and justice.
We declare our union and indepen-
dence. We assert our purpose to sup
port the political organization which
represents our principles.
We charge that the controlling infu-
ence dominating the old political par
ties have allowed the existing dreadful
conditions to develop without serious
effort to restrain or prevent them.
They have agreed together to ignore,
In the coming campaign, every issue
but one. They propose to drown the
outcries of a plundered people with the
uproar of a sham battle over the tariff;
so that corporations, national banks,
rings, trusts, "watered stock" the de-
mOnetization of silver, and the Oppres-
sion of usurers, may all be lost sight
of. They propose to sacrifice u homes
and children upon the altar of mann
mon; to destroy the hopes of the multi
tude in order to secure corruption
funds from the great lords Of plumber.
We assert that a political organlza-
ton, representing the political prlncl-
pies herein stated, is necessary to re
dress the grievances of which we com
plain.
Assembled on the anniversary of the
birth of the illustrious man who led
the first great revolution on this CONT
nent against oppression, filled with the
sentiment which actuated that grand
Generation. we seek to restore the gov
Eminent of the republic to the hands
of the plain people," with whom it
originated. Our doors are open to all
noints of the compass. We ask all
honest men to join with and help us.
In order to restrain the extortions of
aggregate capital, to drive the monev
changers out Of the temple, to form a
perfect union, establish Justice. insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty for ourselves and u D~osferitv
we 90 ordaln and establish the follow
ing platform of principles:
Flrst-Wed declare the union of the