The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-04-12
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at st.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
22-24, 1902.

This, the first great labor conference of the
United States and of the world, representing all
assembled in national congress-, invoking upon
it's 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 q 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 news
papers are subsidized or muZZled, public opinion
silenced 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 seIf-prOtect1On; imported pau
perized labor beats down their wages; q hire
ling standing army, u-nrecognized by our laws,
is established toshOot them down and they are
rapidly degOnsrating to European conditions.
The fruits Of the toll of milliOnS are boldly
stolen to builG up colossal fortunes, WRPrWee-
dented in the history of the wOFld. while their
possessors despise the republic aRd eHdaRgoP
ernmsntaI Injustice breed the TIVE Toat Glasses
-paupers and mtllionaires. The national power
to create money Is Appropriated TO enrich bend
since the dawn Of history, has been deMOnGtiZed
to add to the pqrcl astRg power of geld BY de-
creasing the value of all forms of property, 80
well as human labor, and the supply of currency
is purposeIy abridged to fattOn usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslave industry. A vest
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on two continents. and Is taking possession OF
IL world. If not met and overthrow at once,
il fOrbodes 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
StatesLaye come together in the name OF peace,
-eFder, and society to defend liberty, prosperity
and justice.
we declare our union and independence. We
assert our purpose to support the political Or
We charge that the cOntrO ing influence dom
mating the old Political parties have above the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. Tt ey
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,
/" watered stock" the REORGANIZATION OF silver,
and the oppression of usurers, may all be lost
sight Of. They propose to sacrifice our homes
stroy the hopes OF the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great lorcs Of
We assert tt 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 iliustriOns man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, hIled with
the sentimen which actuated that grand gen.
Grafton, we seek to restore the government of
II e hands of the sPlaln 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 tie 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
following platform of principles:
First-We declare the union of the labor forces
of TIE 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-Wealth belongs to him who created
it. 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 a e identical.