The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-03-04
THE INDUSTRIAL CONFER
ENCE DECLARATION
AND DEMANDS.

at St. Lonis last week adopted the fol-
lowing declaration of independence
which eloquently sets forth the griev-
aDces of the masses:
"This the first great labor confer
ence Of the United States and Of the
world, representing all divisions of
urban and rural organized industry
assembled in national congress, inyok-
ing upon its action the blessing and
protection Of Almighty God. puts forth
TO and for the producers of the nation,
this declaration If union and indepen-
dence.
sThe conditions which surround us
best justify eur co operation. We mret
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 demoralized. Many o.
the States have been compelled TO iso-
late the voters at the polling places in
order to prevent universal intimidation
or bribery. The newspapers are sub
sidizsd or mussled. public opinion
silenced, business prostrated. our homes
covered with mortgages, labor impover-
ished. and the land concentrating 10 the
hands of capitalists. TIE urban work
men are deDined the right Of orgspiza-
ton Tor selfprotection; imported pau
perized labor beats down their wages;
hireling standing army unrecogn'sed
by our laws, is established to shoot
them down and they are rapidly de-
generating to European conditions.
.sThe fruits Of the toll Of millions
are boldly stolen to build up colossal
fortunes, unprecedented in the histor,
Of the world, while their posse~sors
despise the Republic and endaneer
liberty. From the same prolific womb
Of government injustice We breed the
two great classes-paupers and million
aires. The national power 10 create
money is appropriated to enrich bond.
holders; silver, which has been accept
ed as coin since the dawn Of history,
has been demoDetized to sdd to the
purchasing power OF gold by decreasing
value Of all forms Of property as well
as human labor, and the supply Of cur
rency is pnrposely abridged to fattea
usurers, bankrupt enterprise and enslave
industry. A vast conspiracy against
mankind has been org nized on two
continents and is taking possession Of
the world. If not met and overthrow
at once it ferehodes terrible social con-
gulsions, the destruction Of civilization
or the establishment Of an absolute
despotism.
10 DEFEND LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
'sIn this crisis of human aff .irs the
intelligent working people and produc-
ers Of the United States have come
together in the name of peace, order
and society to defend liberty, pros
perity. and justice.
"We declare our union anil indepen-
dence. We assert our purpose to vot.
with that political organization which
represents our principles.
1--WE charge that the controlling in
fuences dominating the old politica
parties have allowed the existing dread
fnl conditions to develop wi,hou
serious effort to restrain or proven
them. Neither do they now intent
to accomplish reform. They have
agreed together to ignore, IN th,
coming campaign, every issue bu
one. They propose 10 drown tn
outcries of plundered people will
the uproar of a sham battle over III,
tariff so that corporations, nat ons
banks, rings, trusts, 'waiered stocks,
the demonstration of silver. and th,
expressions Of usursrs. may all be Los
sight OF.
They propose to sacrifice our home
and children upon the altar Of Mammon
to destroy tn hopes of the muItltud
10 order to secure corruption fund
from the great lords OF plumber.
I'VE assert thar political organiza
ton. representing the political priu
ciples herein stated, is necessary I
redress the grievances of which W
complain.
"Assembled on the anniversary q
the birth Vt the illustrious man who l.,
the FIRST great revolution ON the CONT
nsnt against oppression, filled with sen
siment, which actnated that grand gen
Grafton, we seek to restore the govern
ment Of the Republic to the hands {
10