The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-11-01
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustriaI Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
1924, 1892.

This, the first great labor conference of the
United States and Of the world, representing all
assembled in national congress-, invoking upon
its action the blessings and protection of AL
mighty God, puts fOrtl 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
me b&Iot-eox, the IeglsIaIure the
Congress-, and touches even the ermlne or the
bench. The people are demoralized. Many of
til e States have been compelled to isolate the
voters al, t. e polling. places In order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muzzled, public opinion
Silenced business FRUSTRATED, 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; q 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 builC up colossal fortunes, unprece-
denied in the history of the world, while their
pOssessors despise the republic and endanger
ornamental injustice breed the two great classes
-paupers and milliOnaires. The national power
to create money is appropriated to enrich bond
+ olders; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history, has been demOnetiZed
epes sing SG the value II1ei OF ali forms Of 55Poperty' a
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,
1t forbOdes terribls social commissions the de-
structiOn of civilization, or the establishment of
an absolute despotisIn.
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. Rnu society to defend liberty, prosperity
We declare our union and Independence. We
assert our purpose to support the political or
ganizAtion wi icl represents our principles.
We charge that the contro ing influence dom
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 q plundered people with
the uprOar of a sham battle over the tariff so
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
- watered stock" the decentralization 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 lorCs 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 illustrions man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filled with
the sentimen' 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
In order to restrain the extortions of aggregate
capital, 10 uIiF6 GB6 mOA0y CndaSOEs OuC u IH0
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 dc ordain and establish the
following platform of principles:
.F1rst-Wed declare the union Of the labor forces
of the United States this day accomplished per-
all hearts of the republic and the uplifting of
mankind,
Seeond-Wealth belongs to him who created
1t. Every dollar taken from industry without
an equivalent is robbery. II anyone will not
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
mics are identical.