The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-07-19
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
PREAMBLE.

PREAMBLE.
This, the first great labor conference of tn e
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 AL
mighty God, puts forth to and for the producers
of the nation this declaration of union and in
us best justify our CO operation. We meet in
the midst of a nation brought to the verge of
dominates the ballot-bOX, the legislature, the
Congress, and touches even the ermine of the
bench. The people are demOraliZed. Many of
IL States have been compelled to isolate the
voters at tt e polling places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muZZIed,, 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 right of
organization for SeIf-prOteCtiOn; imported pau
periZed labor beats down their wages; a hire
ling standing army, unrecognized by our laws,
is established tOShOOt them down and they are
RAPIDLY degenerating to European conditions.
The fruits of the toll of millions are boldly
stolen to builC 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
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
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 purcl asing power of gold by de-
creasing the value of all forms of property, rs
well as human labor, and the supply of currency
is purpOsely abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslave industry. A vast
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on two G0ntInents. ana Is taxing possession or
IL world. If not met and OverthrOwn at once,
it forbodes terrible social commissions the de
structiOn of civilization, or the establishment of
an absolute deSpOtism.
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 or
ganization wLicl represents our principles.
Mo oh TCFn Z hat no RnnfY n Inly In nance dnT1-
mating the old political parties have allOweI the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. TT ey
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 characterization of silver,
and the oppression of usurers, may all be lost
sight of. They propose to sacrifice our homes
and children upon the altar OF maInmOn; to de-
StrOy the hopes OF the multitude IN order to
secure corruption funds from the great lords of
plumber.
We assert Il at a political organization, repre-
senting the political principles herein stated, Is
necessary to redress the grievances of which we
complain.
Assembled on the anniversary of the birth of
the illuStriOns man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filled with
the sentiment which aCtuated that grand gen
Grafton, we seek to restore the government of
Il e 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.
III OItIcI 70 restrain Tic 6AIOI luis - dSSI CSdIC
capital, to drive the money 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 our p~Osterity we dc Ordain and establish the
following platform of principles:
First-We declare the union of the labor forces
of the United States this day accomplished per-
manent and perpetual. May it's spirit enterinto
all hearts of the republic and the uplifting of
mankind.
SecOnd-Wealth belongs to him who created
it. Every dollar taken from industry without
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
mics are identical.