The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-03-29
The Progressive Farmer from
april LIST to Nov. 18th for Fifty
tnntC
Make up your Clubs.
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.


AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the C~onfederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
72-24, 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
of the nation this declaration of union and in
dependence. The conditions which surround
the midst of a nation brought to the verge of
moral. political, and material ruin. Corruption
Congress, and touches even the. ermine of the
bench. The people are demOralized. Many of
u STATES nave oeen GonPeieu 10 !soIaIe Lne
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muzzled public opinion
sllenced business Frustrated, our homes covered
with mortgages, labor impoverished, and the
land concentrating in the hands of capitalists.
The urban wOrkmen are denied the r1Rlt OF
organization for SeIf-prOtecfiOn; imported pau
perized labor beats down their wages; a hire
ling standing army, unrecOgniZed by our laws,
is established TO shoot them down and they are
rapidly degenerating 70 European conditions.
The fruits of the toll of millions are boldly
stolen to bull, 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
J Oldcrs; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn Of history, has been demonetized
creasing the value of ali forms of property, AS
well as human lanOr, snd the supply of currency
is puTpOselv alb idged 10 fatten usurers, bank
ru It enterprise, and enslaye industry. A v~st
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
Il e world. If not met and overthrown at once,
it fOrbOdes terrible social commissions the de-
struction of civilization, or the establishment of
In this crisis Of human affairs the intelligent
working people and producers OF the United
States 4 ave come tOgether in the ma ne of peace,
order. and society to defend liberty, prosperity
and justice.
We declare our union and Independence. We
assert our purpose to support the political or
ganizatiOn WI icl represents our principles.
We charge that Il e COntTO inV influence DOM
mating the old political psrties have above the
Existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. TT ey
have agreed together to ignore, il the coming
campaign, every issue but one. They propose
to drown the Outcries IF a plundeTed people with
the uprOar of a sham battle over the tariff; so
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
- Watered stock" the characterization of silver,
and the oppression of usurers, may all be lost
sight Of, IheH propose to sacrifice our homes
and children upon the altar of maInmOD; to de-
stroy the hopes Q the multitude III order TO
secure corruption funds from the great lor's of
plumber.
We assert Il at a political organization, repre-
Sentlng the political principles herein stated, Is
necessary to redress the grievances of which we
complain.
Assem- bled on the anniversary Of the birth of
the iliUstriOns man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filled with
the sentimen which actuated tuat 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
In order to restrain the extortions Of aggregate
capital to drive tie money changers out of the
temple to form a perfect union, establish Justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide Tor the
common defense nTOmntR he DlIplaA TTalfa ~
and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves
and our pOsterity we Ordain and establish the
'~OllOwin platform of principles:
First-We declare the union of the labor forces
of t g United States this day accomplished per-
manent and perpetual. May its spirit enter into
all hearts OF the republic and the uplifting of
Second-wealth belongs to him who created
it. Every dollar taken from industry without
an equivalent is robbery. If anyone will not
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
mics are identical.
PLATFORM.
FINANCE.
First-We demand a national currency safe,
sound and flexible, issued bV the General Gov
eminent only. a full legal tender for ali debts.
puthc and private; ana that without the use of
banking corporations a just. and equitable and
~eIticieut Il cans of distri utiOn direct to the peO-
as set forth in the Subj reasury plan of tie
Farmers ALLIANCE. or some better system; also,
by pay ments in discl arge of its obligations for
PUBLIC improvements.
a. We demand free and unlimited coinage of
61lFSfs
b. We demand that the amount of circulating
medium be speedily increased to not less than
$50 PEI capita.
c. We demand a graduated income tax.
q. 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 tt e neces-
sary expenses Of the government
and honestly administered.
G.. We demand that postal savings banks be
established by the government for the safe de-
post OF the earnings OF the people and to facili-
tate exchange.
SeCOnd-The land, including all the natural
resources of wealth, is the heritage of all the
people and should not be monOpOliZed for sDecu-
lat1Ye purposes, and alien OWNERSHIP of land
should be prohibited. All land now held nv
railroads and other corporations in excess of
their actual needs, and all lands now owned nv
alien, should be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORTATION.
neutrality-suspicious. being a means of ex-
change and o public necessity. the government
should own and operate the railroads in the in
teresf of the people.
q. The telegraph and telephone, like the post
once system, being a necessity for transmission
OF news, should be owned and operated by the
government in the interest of the people.
VARle0GElE ssEs szEE: &C: :. !: -; 4: S g:
references; new and certain
HA~ Address ABloG PHARGACT CO., Box A, ALBION, MICH
POMONA ~TERRA.COTTA co.
nn7EOA-