The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-10-07

The following declaration OF prlD-
ciples and platform were adopted in
National Convention at Omaha July 4th
The conditions which surround Us
best justify our cooperation. We meet
in the midst of nltion brought to the
verge ot political and material ruin /;
corruption dominates the ballot box,
the Legis slatures, the Congress, and
touches even the ermine of the bench
The people are demoralized most OF
the States have been compelled to iso-
late the voters at the polling places to
prevent universal intimidation or brib-
cry. The newspapers are subsidized o.
muzzled ; public opinioE silenced, bus
mess Frustrated our homes covered
with MORTGAGES, labor impoverished,
aud the land concentrating in the hand
OF the capitalists.
Silver which has been used as COLD
since the dawn of history, has been
dcmonetized to add to the purchasing
power OF gold by decreasing the value
of all forms of property as well as Of
human labor, and the supply of cur
rency is purposely abridged to fatten
usurers, bankrupt enterprise and enslave
industry. A vast conspiracy against
mankind has been organized on two
continents, aud is rapidly taking pos
session of the world. If not met and
overthrown at once it forebodes terrible
social convulsions, the destruction Of
civilization or the establis hment of an
absolute oespotlsm.
We declare, therefore:
l. That the union of the labor forces
Of the United States, this day consum.
mated. shall be permanent and perpet
ual. May its spirit come into all hearts
for the salvation Of the republic and
the uplifting of mankind.
g. Wealth belongs to him who ere.
ates it, aud every dollar taken from
industry. without an equivalent is
robbery. "Ii any will not work neither
>hall he eat" The interests of rural
lnd civic labor are the same; their
enemies are identical.
We believe that tine has come
when the railroad corporations will
either own the people or the people
must own the railroads, and should the
government enter upon the work Of
owning and managing any or all rail
roads, we should favor an amendment
to the constitution by which all persons
ngaged in the government service
which shall be placed under evil
service regulations Of the most rigid
character, so as to prevent the increase
Of the power of the national admins
ration by the use of such additional
government employees. The platform :
FINANCE.
First We demand a National cur
rency safe, sound, and flexible. issued
by the General Government only. full
legal tender for all debts, public and
private, and that without the use OF
banking corporations, just, equitable,
and efficient means of distribution direct
to the people at tax not to exceed
per cent, per annum, to be provided as
set forth in the sub treasury plan of the
Farmers Alliance, or better system
also by payments in discharge of its
obligations for public improvements.
We demand free and unlimited coin.
age of silver and gold at the present
legal ratio Of l6 to l.
We demand that the amount of cir,
culating medium be speedily increased
to not less than $50 per capita.
We demand graduated income tax
We believe that the money of the
country should be kept as much as pos
sible in the hands of the people, and
hence We demand that all States and
National revenues shall be limited tc
the necessary expenses Of the Govern.
ment economically and honestly admin
stered.
We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the Government fol
the safe deposit of the earnings of the
people and to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
Second. Transportation being :
means of exchange and public neces
Sity, the Government should own anC
operate the railroads in the interest O.
the people.
The telegraph and telephone, like
the post office system, being a necessity
for the transmission of news, should b,
owned and operated by the Government
in the interest of the people.
LAND.
Third The land, including all tn,
natural sources of wealth, is the herit-
age of the people, and should not b,
monopolized for speculative purposes
and alien ownership of land should b,
prohibited. All land now held BY
railroads and other corporations in ex-
cess OF their actual needs and ali land
now owned by aliens should be reclaim
ed by the Government and held TO
' acfuAl Gaffiarc onlu