The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-04-19
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 confer ence of tn"
United States and of the world, representing all
divisions of urban and rural Organized industry.
assembled in national congress, NOking upon
its action the blessings and protection of Al
mighty Cod, puts tOrtI TO and for the producers
of the nation this declaration of union and in
dependence. The conditions which surround
US best Justify our co operation. We meet in
the midst of a nation brought to the verge of
moral. political, and material ruin. Corruption
dominates the ballOt-hOX. the legislature. the
Congress, and touches even the ermine of the
bench. The people are demorallZed. 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 self-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 deCenerating 10 European conditions.
The fruits of the tOh of millions are boldly
stolen TO bull, up colossal fortunes. unprtce-
denied in tie history of the world. while their
pOsSesSOrS deSpise the republic and endanger
liberty. from the same, p,oInc womb OF gov
-paupcrs and millinnaires. The national power
to create money i appropriated to enrich bond
} olderS; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since The dawn OF history, has been demOnetlZed
to add to the pure as'rg power of gold h' de-
creasing the value of all forms of property, as
well a. human Ia or, md the supply of currency
is purposcly abridged to fatten usuTers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslave industry. y y st
conspiracy against mankind has betn organized
on two continents. and il taking possession OF
q e world. If net met and oVerthrown at once,
ii fOrbOdes terrible" social commissions the de-
struction of civilization, or the establishment Of
an aO-olUte deepotism.
In this crisis Of human affairs the intelligent
working people and prOdUCer- of the United
States : ave come tOgetIc~ in the name IF peace,
order. and society to defend liberty, prosperity
and justice.
We declare our union end independence. We
assert our purpose 10 support the political or
ganlZation WI ic! represent our principles.
We charge that to Coutro ing Influence COM
mating the old |. %litiCal pa ties have above the
existing dreadful con itiOns to develop without
Serious effort to restrain or prevent them. Itey
have agreed together 10 ignore. in the coming
to drown the outcrics Of a pIundered people with
the UprOar of a sham battle over the tariff so
NWatGred stock, the. characterization of silver,
and the oppression of usUTers, may al be lost
sl=Ht on. me- Ir"Po,e 70 S&cIIIce our homes
and children upon the altar OF mamnOn; TO de-
strOy the hopes O. the multitude in order to
corruption funds from the great lore of
We assert Il at a political organization, repre-
senting the political principles herein stated, is
complain.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth of
the illustrions man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filed with
the Sentimen which actHated that grand gen
Grafton, we seek to, restore the government of
Il { 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
In order to restrain the extortfons of aggregate
capital TO drive tt money changers out of the
temple to form a perfect union, establish Justice,
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
following platform of rinCiples:
tIrst-Ne declare the union Of the labor forces
OF t e United States this day accomplished per-
manent and perpetual. May its spirit enterintO
all hearts OF the republic and the uplifting of
mankind.
Second-Wealth belongs to him who created
it. Every dollar taNen from industry without
an equivalent is robbery. If anyone will not
work, neither shall lie eat. The interests of
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
mics a e Identical.