The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-03-04
ALLIANCE DEPARTMENT.
The st. Louis Convention an En-.
thusiastic One.
A Platform, With Many Strong Fea.
lures, and Denouncing Both
Old Parties, Adopted.

ihatana, had spoken appealiugly for non
sectionaIism, the old veterans all over
the hall claspcd hands and cheered for
the restored Union. When the enthusi.
asm had subsidized Delegate Branch, OF
Georgia, cast irc-braud into the gath
ering in the shape of q resolution protest
ing AGAINST tho .cQnd iais2 81 sthe. cora--
mon people Of this country, And holding
the Republican and Democratic parties
responsible for tho conditions. There
was spirited debate, but the resolution
was adopted by vote of 41O to 139.
Later it was declared to have been irreg-
ularly proposed aud was ordered strick-
en- from the minutes until after the rcport
OF the committee on platform was heard.
Then there was tremendous row over
the eligibility of colored delegate from
Georgia, which was quieted only the en-
trance Of the committee on platform,
which reported as follows:
''This, the first great labor conference
oil the United States and of the world,
representing all divisions of urban and
rural organizations and industry, assem-
blcd in national congress, invoking upon
its action the blessing aud protection of
Almighty God, puts forth to and for the
producers Of the nation this declaration
of unison and independence.
"Tbe conditions which surround us
best Justify our corporation. We meet
in the midst of a nation b=ought to the
verge of moral, political and material
ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot
box, the Legislatures, the Congress, and
touches even the crmino of the bench.
The people are demoralizcd. Many of
the States arc compelled to isolate the
voters at the polling places, iu order to
prevent universal intimidation or bribery.
The newspapers are subsidized or muz-
zled, public opinion silcnccd, business
prostratcd, our homes covered with mort
cages labor impoverished, and the land
concentrating in the hands of capitalists
The urban workmcn are denied the
right of organization for self protection,
imported pauperizcd labor beats down
their wages; hircling standing army,
unrecognizcd by our laws, is established
to shoot them down and they are rapidly
degencrating to European conditions
The fruits of the tolls of millions arc
boldly used to build up colossal fortunes
unprecedented in tho history of the
world, while their possessors despise the
|.sspa.haC .;s Z : = psas spdangsr !issrty. From on
iaSdsscs ss psssil al ssas 2a; A sssss aS
pers and Iriliionaircs. Tie nat ional
power to create money is appropriated to
enrich bond holders; silver, which has
been accepted as coin since tho day dawn
of history has been demoralized to en-
large the purchasing power of gold by
decreasing the value Of all forms of prop
crty as well ss human labor, and the sup
ply of currency is purposely abridged to
fattcn usurcrs, bankrupt enterprise and
enslavo Industry. A vast conspiracy
against mankind has been organized on
two continents and is taking possession. .of
the world. II not met and ovcrthrown
at once, it forebodcs terrible social con.
vulsions, the destruction Of civilization
or the establishment of an absolute des.
potism.
'In this crisis of human affairs, the in .
telligeut working people and producers
of the United States. have 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 vote with that
organization who 'represcrfts- princi:
Piles.
"We charge that the controlling influ
ences dominating the old political parties
have allowed ;hc existing dreadful con.
ditions to develop without serious effort
to restrain or prevent them. Neither do
they now intend to accomplish reform
They have agreed together to ignore, in
the comm. campaign, every issue but
one. They propose to drown the out
cries of plnndered people with the up
roar Of sham battle over the tariff; so
that corporations, national banks. rings,
trusts, 'watercd stocks the dcmonctiza.
tion of silver and the expressions of usury
may be lost sight of They propose to
sacrifice our home and children upon the
altar OF mammon, to- destroy the hopes
of the multitude in order 10 secure cor
ruption funds from the great lords of
plunder.
"We assert that political organiza-
tion, representing the principles herein
stated, is necessary 20 redress the griev-
anccs of which we complain. Assembled
On the anniversary of the birth of the il.
lustrious man who led the first great re.
volt OH this continent against oppression,
filed with sentiment which actuated that
grand generation, we seek to restore the
government of the republic to the hands
of the plain people, with VIII m it origi
mated. Our door stands open to al
points of the compass We ask all hon.
est men to join with and help us
"1n order TO restrain the cXtOrtions OF
aggregated capital, 10 drive the money
changess out Of the temple, to form
perfect union aud establish justice, insur,
domestic tranquility, provide for tn,
common defense, promote the genera
welfare and secure the blessings of liber
ty for ourselves and our postcrity, we dt
ordain and establish the following plat
form Of principles;
"First. I'VE demand national cur
rency, safe, sound and flexible, issued b
the general government, only full legs
tender for airdebfsy~public and private
aud that without the use Of banking col
porations; a just, equitable and efficier
means Of distributions, direct to the pet
;. pie, aud not to oxceed 20 per cent
to be provided as set forth In the sui
Treasury plan of the Farmers Allianc
or some better system. also by paymel
! in discharge of its obligation for publ
8 improvements.
,stUo do..>a,,d ttxc< f~ac o,l ,,.E,,st<