The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-09-27
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
nc PENDENCE.
loeman Porn 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,
in national congress-, invoking upon
it's action the blessings ana pgoIeGtl0n OF a.
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
dominates the ballot-box, the legislature: the
Congress, and touches even the ermine of the
bench. The people are demOraliZed. Many OF
til States have been compelled to isolate the
voters at Il e polling places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
nqners are subsidiZedO rmuZZIed, 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 seIf-protection; imported pau
periZed labor beats down their wages; a hire
is established TO shoot them down; AID they are
rapidly degsnsrating 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
liberty. From the same prolific womb OF gov
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
-paupers and milHonaires, 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
CO a9 8 20 the fae vPa qIGet Of dSs afR f RGMsF Of Of g gGO& PS as as
well as human labor, and the supply Of currency
is purpOsely abridged to fatten Insurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and ~enslave industry. A vast
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on two continents. and is taking possession of
tt e world. If not met and overthrow at once,
it fOrbOdes terrible social commissions the de-
s%tructiOn of civilization, or the establishment OF
an absolute deSpotism.
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, and society to defend liberty, prosperity
and justice.
We declare our union and independence. We
assert our purpose to support the political or
ganization WI icE represents our principles.
We charge that the contrOiing influence dom
mating the old political parties have allowed the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
have agreed together to ignore, in the coming
campaign, every issue but one. They propose
70 drown the oUtcrles OF a PIundered people with
the uproar of a sham battle over the tariff so
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 mustriODs man who led the first revolution
on this continent against oppression, filled with
the sentiment which actuated that grand gen.
Grafton, we seek to restore the government of
IL 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.
LNAC y L1o CAIO1 IuOnSO u 6SSICSdJC
capital, to drive the money changers out of the
temple, tOfOrm 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
manent and perpetual. NSyy its spirit enter into
All hearts OF the republic and the uplifting Of
SecOnd-Wealth belongs to him who created
1t. Every dollar taken from industry without
work, neither shall he eat. The interests of
rural and urban labor are the same, their enc
mics are Identical.
PLATFORM.
FINANCR
First-We demand a national currency safe,
sound and flexible, issued by the General Gov
eminent only, a full legal tender for all debts,
public and private; and that without the use of
banking corporations a juBt, and equitable and
efficient means of distribution direct to the peO-
pie at a tax not toexceed . per cent. be provided,
as set forth in the Sub-Treasury plan Of the
FARMERS Alliance, or some better system; also,
by, aymen in discl arge of its obligations for
a. We demand free and unlimited COINAGE of
b. We demand that the amount of circulating
medium be speedily increased to not less than
c. We demand a graduated income tax.
d. We believe that the money of the country
of the people, and hence we demand All national
and State revenue shall be limited to Il g neces-
and honestly administered.
.. We demand that postal savings banks b.
established by the government for the safe de.
pOsit of the earnings of the people and to facii
tate exchange.
Second-The land, including all the natura
resources of wealth, is the heritage of all thu
people and should not be mOnopO1ZOd for Specu
latiVe purposes, and alien ownership Of lanC
should be prohibited. All land now held by
railroads and other corporations in excess O
their actual needs, and all lands now owned b.
aliens, should be reclaimed by the R0V@rnm@Hi
and held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORTATION.
neutrality-suspicious. being q means OF OK
change and q public necessity, the goVOgnmOn1
SaOuld own and operate the railroads in the In
terest of the people.
3. The telegraph and telephone, like the post
ONCE system, being q necessity for transmiRaioT
OF news, should be owned and operated by tn
government I'm the interest Of the people.
Beecham'S Pms cure bilious AID nervous lis