The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-03-15
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 confer ence of the
Omitted States and of the world, representing all
divisions of urban and rural orr anized industry,
its action the blessings and protection of AL
mighty God, puts fortI 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 balIOt-bOx, the legislature. the
Congress, and touches even the Srnine of the
bench. The people are demoralized. Many a.
tie States have been compelled TO isolate the
veters at Il e polling, places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muZzled, public opinion
s1!enced business FRUSTRATED, our homes covered
land concentrating in the hands Of capitalists.
The urban wOrkmen are denied the rigl t Of
PeFIZed 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 to European conditions.
The fruits OF the toll Of millions are boldly
denied In the history of the world, while their
p9ssessOTs despise the republic and endanger
hberty- From the same prolific womb of gov
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
--Paupers and milliOnaiFes. The national power
90 create money IS appropriated to enrich bond
/ oIders; silver, which has, been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history, has been demOnetized
to add to the pqrcl asipg power of gold By de-
creas1ng the value of all forms of property, as
well as human lanOr, and the supply of currency
is purpOsely abridged to fatten- usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslave 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.
1t forbodes. terrible social commissions the de-
s~truction of civilization, or the establishment of
an absolute despOtism.
lnthls crisis OF human affairs the intelligent
Eefklng people and producers of the United
states ! aye coInft4 e in the name of peace,
or9eE, anu society " UeAeA4 liberty, prosperity
and justice;
assert our purpose to support the %pNliticaI or
ganization wi lei represents our princi5 $Fsa u
We charge that the cOntro ing infUtSV S1om-
mating the old political parties have aESSSy the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. II ey
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; so
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
." Watered stock" the demonstration of silver,
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
corruption funds from the great lOrCs 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 il!ustrions man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filed with
the sentimen 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
me compass. We ask all honest men to join
with and help us.
In order to restrain the extortions of aggregate
CaplIaI' TO Drive the money changers out of the
temple ofOrm a perfect union, establish Justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
COmHOu ueIenSe, promote the general welfare |
ana secure the blessings of liberty for OuTsaiveS
ana our posterlty W de- Ordain and estah1is6 +ba !
following platform Of PRINCIPLES. '"0
tlrst-N e declare the union of the Iabcr foroes
OI Ghe QhlIeu states this day ACCOMPLISHED mar |
mSnent and perpetual. May its snirit enter fnto |
an hearts OF the republic and the uDIiffing of
Second-Wealth belongs to him Ubo cres+ad
it. Every dollar taken from ipdnstrmvU CftsCeQ
an equivalent is robbery. If anyone Iii 80
work, neither shall be eat. The Interests y
rural and urban labor are the same. their apo
mics are identical. NH CHG
PLATFORM.
FINANCE
F1rst-We demand a national currency safe
Sounu and flexible, issued by the General Cow
SSIIIHieenC only: a full legal tender for all debts.
RuoiLG ahu private; and that without the use of
a95nians coIporatlOns a just and equitable and
~ - 4 OF distribution direct to the peO-
Ply a. . q NOT IOeXceed 2 per cent he OrOvided
As SET Icrth In the Sub-Treasurv Man IF t5o
FARMERS Alnance, or some better system. oTso
by, payments IN discl arge of its ObIi1o+, ~,
public improvements, OOAsaLIOhs Tor
a. We demand free and unlimited ooi,o.
silver. coinage OF
b..We demand that the amount of cirorI
medlum be speedily increased to not less tbagg
{, We demand a graduated income tax.
d. We believe that the money of fine corD+-~
should be kept as much as possible in fbs $500
Of the people, and hence we demand All nafio1@S
and State revenue shall be limited to III . n@~-5A
Sary expenses OF the government eeononfNpfS-