Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1892-06-10
UNION AND INDEPENDENCE,
Declarations Made by tho Confederated
Industrial Organizations.
Adopted at a conference held in St.

Adopted at a conference held in St.
Louis Feb. 223S4, 1902:
Preamble.
This, the first great labor conference Of tho
United States and Of the world, representing
Ill divisions of urban and rural organized in
dustry, assembled in national congress, invok-
ing upon its action the blessing and protection
Of Almighty God, puts forth to and for the pro-
ducers Of the nation this declaration of union
and independence. The conditions which sur
round US best justify our cooperation. We
meet in the midst Of a nation brought to the
verge of moral, political and material ruin.
Corruption dominates the ballot box, the legis-
latures, congress, and touches even the ermine
Of the bench. The people are demoralized.
Many of the states hive been compelled to iso-
late the voters at th, polling places in order to
prevent universal il imidation or bribery. The
newspapers are sui. dized or muzzled, public
opinion silenced, business prostrated, our
homes covered with .,ortgages, labor impover-
ished and the land centrating in the hands
Of capitalists. The ;.rban workmen are denied
the right Of orga;-....~tion for self protection;
imported pauper; labor beats down their
wages a hirelin., .nding army, unrecognized
by our laws, is e ,ished to shoot them down,
and they are ra degenerating to European
conditions.
The fruits Of q toll of millions are boldly
stolen to built colossal fortunes, unprece-
dented in the Lory Of the world, while their
possessors dc:.i.. the republic and endanger
liberty. Fro. :;e same prolific womb Of gov
ernmental IN. ice breed the two great classes
-paupers ar millionaires. The national
power to crea. money is appropriated to en-
rich bondholi 5; silver, which has been &C.
cepted as COLI nee the dawn Of history, has
been demone: cd to add to the purchasing
power Of golo ~ decreasing the value OF all
forms Of prop: ~, as we'll as human labor and
the supply of currency is purposely abridged
to fatten usurc:'s, bankrupt enterprise and en-
slave industry. A vast conspiracy against man
kind has beer organized on two continents,
and is taking possession Of the world. If not
met and overthrown at once it forbodes terri
BILE social convulsions the destruction Of civili-
zation, or the establishment of an absolute
despot}sm.
In this crisis of human affairs tho intelligent
working people and producers Of the United
States have come together in the name Of
perity and justice.
We declare our union and independence.
We assert our purpose to support the political
organization which represents our principles.
We charge that the controlling influence
dominating the old political parties have al
velop without serious effort to restrain or pre-
vent them. They have agreed together to
ignore, in the coming campaign, every issue
but one. They propose to drown the outcries
Of plundered people with the uproar Of q
sham battle over the tariff; so that CORPORA
tions, national banks, rings. trusts, "watered
stock" the demonetization Of silver, and the
oppression of usurers, may al be lost sight Of.
They propose to sacrifice our homes and chill
dren upon tho altar Of manmon; to destroy the
hopes OF the multitude in order to secure cor
5uption funds from the great lords Of plundeS.
We assert that political organization, repre-
oentinG The political principles herein stated,
u necessary to redress tho grievances of which
~ complain.
Assembled On the anniversary OF tho birth Of
the Nlustxious man who led tho first great revo-
luton On this continent against oppression,
olled with tho sentiments which actustsd that
grand generation, w seek to restore the gov
ernment Of tho republic to tho hands Of tho
''plain people" with whom 1t originated. Our
dsors ars open to all points Of the compass.
We ask al honest mon to join with and help Us.
In order to restrain tho extortions Of agxre-
gate capital, to drive the money changers out
Of tho temple, to form . perfect union, estab-
lish justice, insure domestic tranquility, pro-
vide for tho common defense, promote tho gen
sral welfare, and secure the blessings Of liberty
for ourselves and our posterity We do ordain
and establish the following platform OF prin-
ciples:
Fizst--We declare the union Of tho labor
forces Of tho United States this day accom-
plished permanent and perpetual. May it,
spirit enter into all hearts for the salvation 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 any one will not
work, neither shall he eat. The interests Of
rural and urban labor are the same, their ene-
mics are Identical
Platform.