The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-31
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
22-2d TSo2
PR FAMBLE.

This, the first great labor conference of The
divisions of urban and rural organized industry,
assembled in national congress, invoking upon
its action the blessings and protection of AL
mighty God, puts forth 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 baliOt-bOX, the legislature, the
Congress, and touches even the ermine of the
bench. The people are demOraliZed. Many of
tie states have been competed 10 Isolate the
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muZZled, public opinion
silenced business FRUSTRATED, our homes covered
with mortgages, labor impoverished, AID the
land concentrating in the hands of capitalists.
The urban WOrkmen are denied the right or
organization for seif-prOtectiOn; imported pau
perized 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
stolen to builC up colossal fortunes, unprece-
denied in the history of the world, while their
DOssessOrs despise the republic and endnnger
liberty. From the same prolific womb of gov
ornamental injustice breed the two great classes
-paHpers and millionaires. The national power
to create money is appropriated to enrich bond
J Olders; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history, has been demOnetized
creasing the value Of all forms of property, As
well as Il human labor, and the supply Of currency
is purpOsely abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise. and cnslave industry. A vast
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on TWO continents. ana Is taxing possession d
Il e world. If not met and oVcrthrown at once,
it fOrbOdes. terrible social convulsiGnS the de.
struCtiOn 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 icl represents our principles,
We charge that tue COntrO INK influence dom
mating the old political parties have allowed the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort To restrain or prevent them. They
have agreed together to ignore, in the coming
campaign, every issue but one. They propose
to drown the Outcries Of a plundered people with
the uprOar Of Il sham battle over the tariff: so
that corporations, NATIONAL banks, rings, trusts,
. watered stock the demOnetiZation OF silver
and the oppression OF UsurCTs, may all he lost
sight of. They propose to sacrifice our homes
and children up0n the altar of mammon to de-
strOy the hopes o. the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great lorcs of
plumber.
senting the political principles herein stated, is
necessary to redress tie grievances of which We
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
II 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, 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 d. 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 enter into
all hearts Of the republic and the uplifting of
mankind.
Second-WeaIth 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.