The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1892-11-10
SECOND DECLARATION.
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
Platform Adopted by the Canfeder
atfed Industrial 0yaazItisa
al st. Leuis. NO.. fcbrua
rr %, ~. 1899.
PREAMBLE.

This, the hrst great labor confer
enee of the United States and Of tn,
world. representing all divisions o
urban and rural organized industry
assembled in national congress, in
voking upon its action the blessing
and protection of Almighty God
puts forth to and for the producers
of the nation this declaration of un.
ion and independence. The condi.
tions which surround Us best justify
our cooperation. We meet in the
midst of a nation. brought to the
verge of moral, political, and ma te-
rial ruin. Corruption dominates the
ballot-box, the legislatures, the Con
gress and touches even the ermins
of the bench. The people are de-
moralized. Many of the States have
been compelled to isolate the voters
at the polling places in order to pre-
vent universal intimidation or bride
ry' The newspapers are subsidized
or muzzled, public opinion silenced,
| business Frustrated, our homes Gov
cred with mortga ges, labor impover-
| iShed, and the land concentrating in
the hands of capitalists. The urban
workmen are denied the right Of Or
ganizatlon for self-protection; im-
ported paupelized labor beats down
their wages; a hireling standing ar
my, unrecognized by our laws. is IS
tablished to shoot them down; and
they are rapidly degenerating to
European conditions.
The fruits OF the toll of llillions
are bodily stolen to build up colossal
fortunes, unprecedented in the his
tory of the world, while their possess
sors despise the republic and endan-
ger liberty. From the same prolific
womb Of governmental injusti g
breed the two great classcs-paupel s
and millionaires. The national pow
er to create money is appropriated to
enrich bondholders; silver, which has
been accepted as coin since the dawn
of history, has been demonetized to
add to the purchasing power of gold
by decreasing the value of all forms
OF property, as we'll as human labor,
and the supply Of currency is pur-
posely abridged to fatten usursrs,
bankrupt enterprise, and enslave in
dusty. a vast conspiracy against
mankind has been organized on two
vast continents, and is taking DOS
session of the world. If not met
and overthrow at once 1t rorbOdes
terrible social commissions, the de-
structloon IF civilization. orthe os-
adjustment of an absolute depot
ism.
In this crisis of human affairs the
intelligent working people and pro-
duce1s of the United States have
come together In the name peace, Or
her and society to defend their libsr-
ty, prosperity and justice.
We declae our union and indie
pendence. We assert our purpose
to support the Organization which
represents our principles.
We charge that the controlling in
iiuences dominating the old political
parties have allowed the existing
dreadful conditions to develop with
out serious effort to restrain or pre-
vent them. They have agreed to-
gether to ignore, i'll the coming cam
palgn. every issue but one. They
propose to drown the outcries Of
plundered people with the uproar Of
sham buttle over the tariff; so that
corporations, national banks, rings,
trusts. "watered stock - tho demone-
t1zatlon of silver, and the oppression
of usurels, may be lost sight Of.
they propose to sacrifice our homes
and children on the altar Of uan-
mon; to destroy the hopes Of the
multitude in order to scare corrup-
tloa funds from the great lords Of
plumber.
We assert that political organiza-
ton, representing the political prin-
ciples herein stated, is necessary to
redress the grievances 81 which ws
complain.
Assembled Oh The anniversary oil
the birth Of the i!lustrious mar who
led the iirst great revolution on this
continent against oppression, filled
with the sentiments which actuatsd
that great generation, we seek to re
store the government of the repub- |
lie to the hands of the plain Eco
ple," with whom it originated. Our
doors are open to all points Of tho
compass. We ask all honest mon
to join with and help us.
In order to restrain the extortious
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. pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings of liberty foriourselves
and our postelity we do ordain and
establish the following platform Of
fIrst-.e declare the union of
the labor orces Of the United States
tins day accomplished permanent
and perpetual. Mayits spirit en-
ter into all hearts for the salvation
Of the republic and the uplifting of
Second-Weaitl. belongs to him
who created it. Every dollar taken
For industry without an equivalents
robbery. If any one will not vork.
neither shall he eat. The interests
OF rural and urDa II labor are the Same
their enemies are Identical.
PLATFORM.
First-We demand 6 national err.
sency safe, sound, ana flexible. is
sued by the general government on-f
~, full legal tender for all debts
public and private; and that without
the use of banking corporations.
lust, equitable and efficient means of
distribution direct to the people 1t =
AK not to exceed 2 per cent. proyid-
ID, as Set forth in the sub-Trsssury
plan OF of the Farmers Alliance. or
'ome better system; also by payments
u discharge OF its obligations for
public improvements.
q We demand free and Unlimited
coinage of silver.
b. We demand that the amonnt{