The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-10
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the COnfederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
1924, 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
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
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-bOX, the legislature, the
Congress, and touches even the ermine Of the
bench. The people are demOralized. Many Of
Il 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 bands of capitalists.
The urban wOrkmen are denied the right of
organization for self-prOteCtiOn; imported pau
perized labor beats down their wages; a hire
ling standing army, unrecOgnlZed by our laws,
is established to shoot 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
eTnmental injustice breed the two great classes
-pRupers and milliOnaireS. The national power
to create money Is appropriated to enrich bond
J OlderS; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history, has been demOnetized
creasing the value of alt forms Of property. as
well as human lauOr, and the supply of currency
is purpOsely abridged TO fatten uSurers, bank
Tupt enterprise, and enslave industry. A vsst
conspiracy against mankind hRS been organized
on two continents. and IL taking possession OF
Il e world. If not met and overthrown at once,
ii 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
We declare our union and Independence We
assert our purpose TO support the, p0ISI@al or
ganiZatiOn WI lei represents our principles.
We charge that the contro ing influence dom
mating the old polttica! parties have above the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. II 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; 50
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
1" watered stock, the demonetization Of silver,
and the oppression of usITers, may all be lost
SIGHT of. Thev propose to sacrifice our homes
and children upon the altar of mammOn to de-
stroy the hopes o. the multitude in order to
corruption funds from the great lOrC Of
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 sentimen which actuated that grand gen
Grafton, We seek to, restore the. government Of
II 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
In order to restrain the extortions of aggregate
capital, to drive the money changers out OF the
temple to form n perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general welfare,
and our ~pOsteTity we d. Ordain and establish the
following platform of principles:
First-We declare the union of the labor forces
of TIE United States this day accomplished per-
manent and perpetual. May it's spirit enterinto
all hearts Of the republic and the uplifting of
mankind.
nd-We belongs to him who created
1t. 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.