The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-06-28
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
PREAMBLE.


This, the first great labor conference of tn
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 forth 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
IL 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
land concentrating in the hands of Capitalists.
The urban wOrkmen are denied the right of
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
ornamental injustice breed the two great classes
-paupers and millionaires. The national power
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-
well as human labor, and the supply Of currency
is purpOsely abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and ens!aye industry. A vast
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on two continents, and is taking possession of
Il e 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
We declare our union and independence. We
assert sIi our i06 p R4Tf frpf to snPPo6 G,r the netI P9n 6 ! or
We charge that the controiingi influence dom
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. Tley
have agreed together to ignore, in the coming
to drown the o]utIcries Of a piundered people With
the uproar of a sham battle over the tariff 50
"watercd stock the decentralization 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 mammOn; to de-
strOy the hopes OF the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great lorus of
plumber.
We assert tt at a political organization, repre-
senting the political principles herein stated, Is
necessary to redress the grievances of which we
Assembled on the anniversary of the birth of
the ilustriOns man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filed 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.
In order to restrain the extortions of aggregate
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 ]pOSterity we DIX 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 its spirit enter into
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 f SnVOna will NOT
work, neither shall ne eat. The interests of
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
PLATFORM.
NAN
First-We demand a national currency safe,
sound and flexible, issued by the General Gov
public and private; and that without the use of
banking corporations a just, and equitable and
efficient means of distribution direct to the peO-
pie at a tax not to exceed 3 per cent. be provided,
as set forth in the Sub-Treasury plan of the
by, payments in dtscl arge of it's Obligations for
public improvements.
silver. "D1 0oin"se OIL
b.. We demand that the amount of circulating
medium be speedily increased to not less than
$50 per capita.
c. We demand a graduated income tax.
a. we believe that the money of the country
should be kept as much as possible in the hands
of the people, and hence we demand all national
and State revenue shall be limited to Il e neces-
Sary expenses of the government economically
and honestly administered.
g.. We demand that postal savings banks be
established by the government for the safe de-
pOsit of the earnings of the people and to facili-
tate exchange.
LAND.
~Second-The land, including all the natural
resources of wealth, is the heritage of ali the
people and should not be mOnopolized for sheen
l%ative, purposes, and alien ownership of land
SHOULD be prohibited. All land now held bV
railroads and other corporations in eVcese ~
their actual needs, and all lands now owned nv
aliens, should be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only,
TRANSPORTATION.
neutrality-suspicious. being a means of az
change chge and a public necessity, the government
9nouiuQ owl and operate the railroads in the in
g. The telegraph and telephone, like the post
ounce system, being a necessity for nsmis
OF news, should be owned and operated bV the
government in the interest of the people.
IDrL m INSTITUTE for n.., /, -