The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-09-06
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustria1 Organizations at st.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
1924, 1892.
PREAMBLE.

This, the first great labor conference of the
United States and of the world, representing all
divisions of urban and rural organized industry,
in national congress, invoking upon
its action the blessings and protection of AL
Of the nation f this declaration of union and in
dependence. The conditions which surround
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 demOraI1zed. Many OF
voters at Il e polling. places IN order to prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The news
papers are subsidized or muZZled, 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 or
organization for self-prOtectiOn; imported pau
perized labor beats down thei" wages; a hire
ling standing army, unrecoSn1zed 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 buil6 up colossal fortunes, unprece-
denied in the history of the world. while their
pOssessors despise the republic and endanger
liberty. From the same prolific womb of gov
ernmental injustice breed the two great classes
-paupers and millionaires. henatiOnalpower
TO create money is appropriated to enrich bond
lolders; 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 human labor, and the supply of currency
is purposely abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise, and enslave industry. A vost
conspiracy against mankind has been organized
on TWO COlLlscuL5, dlu 1t CdhlnS pOSSCSSAOu VI
Il g world. If not met and overthrow at once,
it forbodes terrible social commissions the de-
s~tTuction of civilization, or the establishment OF
an absolute despOtism.
In this crisis Of human affairs the intelligent
working people and PRODUCER 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 tie cOntTo ing influence dom
mating the old political parties have allowed the
existing dreadful conditions to develop without
serious effort to restrain or prevent them. Tt ey
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 a sham battle over the tariff; so
that corporations, national banks, rings, trusts,
"watpred stock" the RECOMMENDATION of silver,
and the oppression of usurers, may all be lost
sight of. They propose to sacrifice our homes
stroy the hopes OF the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great LORDS of
plumber.
senting the political principles herein stated, is
necessary TO redress the grievances OF which we
Assembled on the anniversary of the birth of
the ilustriOns man who led the first revolution
the sentiment which actuated that grand gen
Grafton, we seek to restore the government of
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, estao1shg 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 enter into
all hearts of the republic and the uplifting of
mankind.
Second-Wealth belongs to him who created
it. 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.