The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-07-12
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at ST.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
PREAMBLE.

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
| bench. The people are demOraliZed. Many of
| IL g States have been compelled to isolate the
voters at II e polling places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The
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
organiZatl0n for seItIprotect1on; imported pau
perized labor beats down their wages; a hire
| ling standing army, unrecOgniZed by our laws,
is established 1t 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
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
-paupers and milliOnaires. The national power
oIders: silver which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn OF history, has been demOnetiZed
to add to the pUrcl asirg power of gold by de-
creasing the value Of all forms of property, as
well as human labor, and the supply of currency
is purpOsely abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslave industry. A vast
COISlll dCg dSdlISl I'M LH bCth VI SdIllLCu
on two continents, and il taking possession of
Il e world. If not met and Overthrown at once,
it fOTbOdes 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
and justice.
We declare our union and independence. We
assert our purpose to support the. political or
ganiZatiOn WI iCl represents our principles.
Ne charge that the cOntrO ing influence DOM
mating the old political parties have allOWer the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. II ey
have agreed together to ignore, in the coming
campaign, every issue but one. They propose
the uprOar of a sham battle over the tariff; 50
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
"watered stock" the characterization 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 o. the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great lOr(s Of
plumber.
We assert II 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 illustriODs man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filled with
the sentimen which actuated that grand gen
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 the money changers out of the
temple. to form a perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide Tor the
common defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves
and our pOsterity we d, Ordain and establish the
tOllOwin platform of principles:
First-We declare the union of the labor forces
of tire 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-WeaIth belongs to him who created
1t. Every dollar taken from industry without
work, neither shall he eat. The interests of
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
mics are identical.