The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-03-22
The Progressive Farmer from
April lst to Nov. 18th for Fifty
UGlS. Make up your Clubs.
SECOND DECLARATION OF
AMERICAN INDIE
PENDENCE.
Platform Adopted by the Confederated In
dustrial Organizations at St.
Louis, Mo-, Feb.
22-24, 1892.
ppFAMRT

= 81 VI / :.
This, the first great labor confer enCe Of the
United States and of the world, representing all
divisions of urban and rural organized industry,
assembl~ d ID national congress, in Oking upon
its aCtiOn the blessings and protection of Al
mighty God. puts fort. to and for the producers
of tie nation this declaration of union and in
dependence. The conditions which surround
Us best justify our co operation. We meet in
the m idst of a nation brought to the veT<e Of
moral political, and T2atsrial ruin. Corruption
dominates th- baIi0t-tOx. the legislature the
Congress. and t, uches even the ermiue OF the
bench. The peOl lie are drmOraliZed. Many 81
Il Z States have been compelled to 1"O'ate the
voters a. T. e polling. places in order to prevent
papers are subsidized or mUZzled. public opinion
SilenCed business prOztraJed, our homes covered
with mortgages. labor impoverished, aud the
land cOnCentrati ng in the lands Ct capitalists.
The urban wOrkmen are denied the ri@l t Of
perized labor heats down their wages: a hire
ling standing army, unrecO&niZed By our laws,
Is e. established OshOOt them down and they are
rapidly degSnsrating TO European conditions.
The fruits of the toll IF millions are boldly
stolen to huilt up colossal fortunes, UrprrCe-
denied in t:e history of the world. while their
pOssessOrs despise the republic and endanger
ernmental injusfi,e breed the two great classes
-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
10 add to the purci as.L g power OF gold h. de-
creA-ing the value of ali forms Of property, AS
well as human la or. I'D the supply of currency
is purpo@ely ab idgod 10 fatten Insurers, bank
RI t enterprise, and enslave industry. A v~st
conspiracy against mankind hss been organized
on two continents and is taking possession of
Il e world. If M met and OVERTHROW at once,
it fOrbOdes terrihl- s cial commissions the de-
s%rruction of civilization, or the establishment of
in this crisis Of human affairs the intelligent
working people and producers of the United
states ave come togethe" nthe zane 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 cOntrO inL 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
nave agreed together to ignore, II 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
"watered stock" the characterization OF silver,
and the oppression of usurers, may all be lost
sight OF, IheN propose to sacrifice our homes
and children upon the altar OF mammon to de-
strOy the hopes Q the multitude in order to
secure corruption funds from the great lorcs Of
plumber.
We assert tt at a political organization, repre-
sentlng the political principles herein stated, is
necessary to redress the grievances of which we
Assembled on the anniversary of the birth of
the u!ustriOns 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
u e hands Of the plain people," with whom it
originated. Our doors are open to ali nni0Is 6 lff
the compass. We ask all honest men to Join
with and help us.
In order to restrain the extortions of aggregate
cHO'aI 10 drive tie money changers out of the
temple tOfOrm a perfect union, establish iusticN
Insure domestic tranquility, provide Tor 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:
tlrst-We declare the union of the labor forces
ct tns Qntted States this day accomplished per
m9nent and perpetual. May its spirit enter into
all hearts of the republic and the uplifting of
mankind.
SecOnd-Wealth belongs to him who created
1T. Every dollar taEen 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.
F1rst-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; ana that without the use of
banking corporations q just. and sQuitabIe and
efficient n cans of distri lutiOn 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,
Dy, Peyment in disnk arge of its obligations for
public improvements.
a. We demand free and unlimited coinage Of