The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-06-07
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
22-2d, 1902.
pr


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-, invoking upGn
its action the blessings and protection of AL
mighty Cod, 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
dominates the ballOt-bOX, the legislature, the
Congress, and touches even the ermine of the
bench. The people are demOralized. Many of
tt e 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
Sllenced business Frustrated, our homes covered
with mortgages. labor impoverished, and the
land Concentratlng IN the hands, OF, capitalists.
The urban WOrkmen are denied the right Of
organization for seIf-prOtectiOn; imported pau
perlZed labor beats down their wages; a 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
dented in the history of the world. while their
pOssessOrs despise the republic and endanger
liberty. From the same prolific womb Of gov
ornamental iniustiCe breed the two great cIasoes
-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
to add to the purcl asing power of gold bN de-
Creasing the value of all forms of property, as
well as human labor, and the supply of currency
Is puTposely abridged to fatten usurer5, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslave industry. A vast
conspiracy against MANKIND mas been organized
on two continents. and Is taking possession Of
II e world. IF not met and OverthrOwn at once,
it fOrbOdes terrible social commissions the de-
s~truCtIOn of civilization, or the establishment of
an absolute despOtiem.
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 orr union and Independence. We
assert our purpose TO support the political or
ganization WI icl represents our principles.
W z cha EH thai me CnntTC lnr Influence dom
mating the old political parties have Above the
t~yisfing dreadtul conditions to deveIOD without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. T. ey
have agreed together 10 ignore, in the coming
campaign, every issue but one. They propose
to drown the OutcrieS Of q piIndered people with
the uprOar of a sham battle over the tariff so
that corporations, national banks. rings. trusts,
and the oppression of Insurers, 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
corruption funds from the great lore Of
We assert II at a political organization, repre-
senting the political principles herein stated, Is
necessary to redress the grievances Of which we
Assembled on the anniversary of the birth of
the illustriOns nan 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
the compass. We ask all honest men to join
with and help US.
In order to restrain the extOrtions of aggregate
capital, to drive the money changers out of the
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:
First-We declare the union of the labor forces
of the United States this day accomplished per
manent and perpetual. May its spirit enterintO
all hearts of the republic and the uplifting of
SecOnd-Wealth belongs to him who created
1t. 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 are identical.