The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-03
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the C~onfederated IN
dustrial Organizations at st.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
PREAMBLE.

United States and of the world, representing al
divisions of urban and rural Or aniZed industry.
assembled in national congress, invoking upon
it's action the blessings and protection of AL
mighty God. puts fOrtl to and for the producers
Of the nation this declaration of union and in
dependence. The conditions which surround
the midst of a nation brought to the verge of
moral. political, and material ruin. Corruption
dominates the balIot-bOx. the legislatures, the
Congress-, and touches even the ermine of the
bench. The people are demOraliZed. Many Of
II e States have been compelled to isolate the
voters at Il e polling places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muZZled, public opinion
silenced business Frustrated, our homes covered
with mortgages, labor impoverished, and the
land concentrating in the hands of capitalists.
The urban wOrkmen are denied the rigl t Of
organization for seIf-prOtection; imported pau
periZed labor beats down their wages; a hire
IL a ~ z . C6SIHiebp f SG sbS0,ot hen Ir S5n nyE1 a y OUT tbaE avs Us
rapidly degenerating to European conditions.
The fruits of the toll of millions are boldly
stolen, to bu1lC up colossal fortunes, unprece-
denied in the history of the world. while their
pOssessOrs despise the republic and endanger
liberty. FROM the same prolific womb of gov
ornamental injustice breed the two great classes
-pGupers and milliOnaires. The national power
to create money is appropriated to enrich bond
! Olders; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history, has been demOnetiZed
to add to the purcf asipg power of gold h' de-
creasing the value Of all forms Of property, is
well as human lA0Or, and the supply of currency
Is purpOsely abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enSlave industry. 4 vast
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on two continents. and is taking possession OF
II q world. II not met ana ONerthrOWn at once,
it forbOdes terrible social commissions the de-
struction Of civilization, or the establishment of
In this crisis Of human affairs the intelligent
working people and producers of the United
States } ave come together in the name of peace.
order, and society To defend liberty, prosperity
and Justice.
We declare our union and independence. we
assert our purpose to support the political o.
ganizatiOn WI icl represents our principles.
We charge that tEe COntro Ing influence dom
mating the old political parties have above the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. T. ey
have agreed together to ignore, in the coming
campaign, every issue but one. They propose
to drown the %Outcries Of a p]lUndertd people with
tina corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
" wNtered stock" the characterization of silver,
and the oppression of usurers, may all be lost
and children upon the altar of mamnon; to de-
strOy the hopes OF the multitude in order 10
plumber.
We, assert IL at a political organization, repre-
senting the political principles herein stated, is
TO redress the grievances OF which We
Assembled on the anniversary of the birth of
the illustrionS man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filled with
the sentimen which actUated tuat grand gen
we seek to restore the government Of
Il q hands of the plain people," with whom it
originated. Our doors are open to all points OF
the, compass. We ask all honest men to join
with and help us.
In order to restrain the extortions of aggregate
to drive the money changers. out OF the
10y 'ACAH ~ uIAACAHN 90 JoobA~ON
insure domestic tranquility, provide Tor the
common defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves
and our pOsterity we d. Ordain and establish the
GLOWING platform of principles:
First-We declare the union of the labor forces
OF tsO United States this day accomplished per-
and perpetual. May its spirit enter into
hearts of the republic and the uplifting of
mankind.
Second-Wealth belongs to him who created
an equivalent is robbery. If anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. The interests of
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
PLATFORM.
FINANCE.
First-We demand a national currency safe
sound and flexible, issued by the General Gov
eminent only, a full legal tender for all debts,
public and private; and that without the use OF
banking corporations = just, and equitable and !
sfficisa H. cans Of distri sutton direct to the nao-
pie at q tax not to exceed . per cent, be provided.
IS set forth in the Sub-Treasury plan of the
payments In dlScl arge of its obligations for
public improvements.
a. We demand free and unlimited coinage OF
b. We demand that the amount of circulating
medlum be speedily increased to not less than
c. We demand a graduated income tax.
q. we believe that the money of the country
of the people, and hence we demand ali national
and State revenue shall be limited to Il g noces-
Sary expenses of The government
and honestly administered.
6. We demand that postal savings banks be
Dy the government for the safe de-
post or the earnings Of the people and to facili-
exchange.
LAND.
Second-The land, including all the natural
OF wealth, is the heritage of all the
and should not be monopolized for specu-
lativS, purposes, and alien ownership of land
SHOULD be prohibited. All land now held by
railroads and other corporations in excess of
their actual needs, and all lands now owned nv
aliens, should be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORTATION
neutrality-suspicious. being a means of ey-
change and a public necessity, the government
own and operate the railroads in the in
tereSt of the people.
q. The telegraph and telephone, like the post
once system, being q necessity for transmission
of news, should be owned and operated by The
government in the interest of the people.
The Dakota RuHaIisf.
HURON, SOUTH DAKOTA.