The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-09-13
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at st.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
PREAMBLE.


This, the first great labor conference of the
United States and Of the world, representing all
divisions of urban and rural org anized industry.
Sssembledi in national congress, invoking upon
its action the blessings and protection or AL
mighty God, ppts tortI TO ana TOT the producers
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 erm1ne OF the
bench. The people are demOralized. Many of
TIE States have been compelled to isolate the
voters at I'll e polling places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muZZled, public opinion
sileBeed business prOstrated, our homes covered
with mortgages. labor impoverished, and the
land concentrating in the hands Of capitalists.
The urban workmen are denied the right OF
organization for self-prOtectiOn; 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 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
pOssessOrs deSpise the republic and endanger
liberty. From the same prolific womb of gov
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
-paHpers and milliOnaires. The national power
TO create money is appropriated to enrich bond
holders; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of 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
I'll g world. If not met and overthrow at once,
it fOrbOdes terrible social commissions the de-
structiOn of civilization, or the establishment of
an absolute despOtism.
working people and producers of the United
states ! ave come together In the name OF peace,
order, and society to defend liberty, prosperity
We declare our union and independence. We
assert our purpose to support the political or
ganiKatiOn wlicl represents our principles.
We charge that the cOntrOiing influence DOM
mating the old politica! parties have allowed the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. Tie
have agreed together to ignore, in the coming
campaign, every issue but one. They propose
to drown the Outcries of a ~plundered people with
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
"Watered stOcK,'' the demonstration 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 OF the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great lords of
plumber.
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 iuustriOns man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filed 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
SSPAeeAs u u4ANO II -uIOuCy Cndub0t5O u VI luS
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 p~Osterity we dc Ordain and establish the
following platform of principles:
First-We 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
mankind.
seeond-Wealth belongs to him who created
Ii. Every dollar taken from industry without
an equivalent is robbery. If anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. The interests OF
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
mics are identical.