The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-10-04
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at st.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
22-2A. 1902.
PREAMBLE.

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
its action the blessings and protection of Al
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 demOraIZed. Many of
tie States have been compelled to isolate the
voters at Il g polling places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muzzIed' puDnc oplhlon
with mortgages, labor impoverished, and the
land concentrating in the hands of capitalists.
The urban wOrkmen are denied the right Of
organization for seIf-protection; imported pau
perized labor beats down their wages; a hire
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 buil6 up colossal fortunes, unprece-
denied in the history of the world. while their
liberty. From the same prolific womb of gov
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
TO create money is appropriated to enrich bond
folders; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawnOf history, has been demOnetiZed
to add to the purcl asing 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
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
In this crisis of human affairs the intelligent
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 which represents our principles.
ANnn harUA that TkQ ROnfTnlTnO HUnn nTn
mating the old political parties have aIlOweG the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. They
have agreed together to ignore, in the coming
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,
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 lords of
We assert IL 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 1ustr1Ons man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filled 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 DIT Ordain and establish the
following platform of principles,
Ffrst-Wed 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
Second-wealth belongs to him who created
1t. Every dollar taken from industry without
q N nTunIn a1 nnhhnnu E nn-1nn I'll -
work, neither shall he eat. The interests of
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
mics are identical.
PLATFORM.
FINANCE.
F1rst-We demand a national currency safe,
sound and flexible, issued by the General Gov
eminent only; a full legal tender for all debts,
public and private; and that without the use of
banking corporations a just, and equitable and
pie at a tax not to exceed per cent. be provided,
as set forth in the Sub-Treasury plan of the
Farmers Alliance, or some better system: also.
by ayments in discl arge of its obligations for
public improvements.
silver. u
b. We demand that the amount of circulating
eES ~ De specify increased to not less than
c. We demand a graduated income tax.
d. 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 onomical
and honestly administered.
G. We demand that postal savings banks be
established b. 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 all the
people and should not be monopolized for specu-
lative purposes, and alien ownership of land
should be prohibited. All land now held by
railroads and other corporations in excess OF
their actual needs, and all lands now owned by
aliens. should be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORT ALTON
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. being a means of eE
change and a public necessity, the government
should own and operate the railroads in the in.
terest of the people.
a. The telegraph and telephone, like the post.
office system, being a necessity for transmission
of news, should be owned and operated by the
government in the interest of the people.
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