The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-17
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
22-24, 1892.

80
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
This, the first great labor conference Of the
United States and of the world, representing all
divisions of urban and rural organized industry,
assembled in national congress, invoking upon
its action the blessings and protection of Al
mighty God, puts t0rtl 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
IL e States have been compelled to isolate the
voters at Il { polling places in order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized OrmuZZled, 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 rigl Of
organization for seIf-prOtec,iOn; imported pau
perized labor beats down their wages; a hire
ling standing army, unrecOgnlZed by our laws.
is established toshOOt them down and they are
rapidly degenerating TO European conditions.
stolen to built up colossal fortunes, unprece-
denied in the history of the world. while their
pOSSeSSOrS deSpiSe the republic and endanEer
liberty. From the same, prolific womb Of gov.
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
Lptupers ana mililohalrts; / ne hailontI power
to create money i appropriated to enrich bond
J Olders; silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history, has been demOnetiZed
to add to the pUrCI aStnG power of gold b. de-
creasing the value of all forms Of property, as
well as human latOr, Ind the supply of currency
IS purpOsely abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslaVe industry. 4 v st
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on two continents. and Is taking possession OF
Il e world. If MT met and overthrow at once,
it fOrbOdes tcTrihl- social commissions the de-
struction of civilization. or the establishment of
an ab-Olute despo:iSm.
In this crisis Of human affairs the intelligent
working people and producers of the United
States . I'VE come Tnupt her in tho ma M nf np9P 90
order, ard society to defend liberty, prosperity
We declare our union and Independence We
assert our purpose to support the political or
ganizatiou WI ici represents our principles.
We charge that t.e contro. inE influence dom
mating the OLD political parties have above the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
Serious effort to restrain or prevent them. TT ey
have agreed together 10 ignore, II the coming
campaign. every issue bur one. They propose
to drown the OUtCrics of a p!uDdertd people with
the uprOar of a sham battle over the tariff 50
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
"watcred stock" the characterization OF silver.
ana the oppression OF uSurers, may AL De lost
sight of. They propose to sacrifice our homes
and children upon the altar Of ammon to de-
strOy the hopes o. the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great Tor, $ Of
plumber.
We assert Il at a political organization. repre-
sentlng the political principles herein stated, is
necessary to redress TIE grievances of which we
complain.
Assembled on the anniversary of the birth Of
the IL ustrions man whO led the first revolution
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 tie money changers. out of the
temple OfOrm a perfect union, establish Justice,
insure u4nteStIc Lrahqulnty, provide LOT the
common defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves
and our posterity wee ordain and establish the
First-Ne declare the union of the labor forces
OF tie 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-Wealt belongs to him who created
IT. Every dollar tai en- 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.
PLATFORM.
FINANCE.
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 just, and equitable and
efficient II cans of distribution direct to the peO-
pie at a tax not to exceed per cent. be provided,
as set forth in the Sub-Treasury plan of the
Farmers Alliance. or some better system; also,
by payments in discl arge of its obligations for
public improvements.
a. We demand free and Infinite coinage of
silver.
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
should be kept as much as possible in the hands
Of the people, and hence we demand all national
and State revenue shall be limited to Il e neces-
sary expenses of the government economically
and honestly administered.
6. We demand that postal savings banks be
established by the government for the safe de-
pOsit of the earnings of the people and to faciIi-
tate exchange.
SeCOnd-The land, including all the natural
resources Of wealth. is the heritage, of all the
people and should not be monOpOliZed for Snecu-
lative purposes, and alien ownership of land
SHOULD be prohibited. All land now held nv
railroads and other corporations in excess of
their actual needs, and all lands now owned nv
aliens, should be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORTATION.
neutrality-suspicious. being a means of ex-
Grange ana a public necessity, the government
terest of the people. III
a.. The telegraph and telephone, like the post
Oflce system, being a necessity for
VI news, should be owned and operated by the
government IN the interest of the people.
The Dakota PnD07icf