Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-09-14
THE PEOPLES PLATFORM.
Adopted In National Convention ~
Omaha, July Z. 1909.

Declaration Of independence. tho Peoples
party of America In their first national con-
vention, invoking upon \Neir action the bless
Ing of Almighty God, puts forth in the name
and on behalf Of the people If this country the
following preamble and declaration of princi-
pies:
The conditions which surround US Justify
our action; we meet in tho midst Of nation
brought to the verge Of moral, political and
material ruin. Corruption dominates the bal.
lot box, the legislatures. the congress. and
touches even the ermine Of the bench. The
people are demoralized; most Of the states
have been compelled to isolate the voters at
the polling places In order to prevent universal
intimidation or bribery. The newspapers are
largely subsidized or muzzled, public opinion
silenced, business FRUSTRATED, our homes COW
cred with mortgages, labor impoverished and
the land concentrating In the hands OF the
capitalists. The urban workmen are denied
the right Of organization for self projections
imported pauporized labor beats down theiI
wages; a hircling standing army, unrecog.
nized by our laws, is established to shoot them
down, and they are rapidly degeneratfng Into
European conditions The fruits OF tho toll OF
millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal
fortunes for few, unprecedented In the his
tory of mankind, and the possessors OF these,
in turn, despise the republic and endanger
liberty From tho same prolific womb OF gov
ernmenta al injustice we breed the two great
claases-tramps and millionaires
The national power to create money Is up
propriatcd to enrich bondhoders a vast pub
lie debt, payable In legal tender currency, has
been funded into gold bearing bonds thereby
adding millions to the burdens Of the people.
Silver, which has been accepted as coin since
tho dawn of history, has been demonetized to
add to the purchasing power OF gold by de-
creasng the price Of all forms Of property as
well as human labor. The supply OF currency
l. col, aIrIn ad I'm fntfan k
rupt enterprise and enslave industry
A vast conspiracy against mankind has been
organized on two continents, and 1t Is rapidly
taking possession Of the world. II not met
and overthrow at once 1t forebodes terrible
social commissions, the destruction OF civilza-
ton or the establishment of an absolute des-
potism.
We have witnessed for more that quarter
of a century the struggles Of two great politi-
cal parties for power and plumber, while gricv-
GUS wrongs have been inflicted upon suffer
ing people. We charge that the controlling
influences dominating both these parties have
permitted the existing dreadful conditions TO
develop without serious efforts to prevent or
.sseyTr1 t,5cm. Neither 90 iey now rscnIs>
ma any substantial relief. they have agreed
together to ignore in the coming campaign
every issue but one They propose 70 drown
the outcries If q piu--lciv,. fSople with tho
"
capitalists, corporations, national banks, rings
trusts. watered stock, the decentralization OF
silver and the oppression OF the usurcrs may
nil be lost sight OF. They propose to sacrifice
our homes lives and children on the altar OF
Mammon; to destroy the multitude in order
to secure corruption funds from the million
nire.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth.
day of the nation. and filled with the spirit Of
the grand generation who established our inde
pendpnce, we seek to restore the government
Of the republic to the hands Of "the plain poo
plc,r with which class 1t originated.
We assert our purposes TO be Identical win
the purposes OF the national constitutional
form a more 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 declare that this republic can only en-
durc as . free government while built upon the
owe OF the whole people for each other and
for tho nation; that 1t cannot be pinned tn
urtber by bayonets; that the civil war Is over,
. and that every passion and resentment which
grew out of It must die with 1t, and that we
must be In fact. as we are In namc, united
, brotherhood Of free men.
Our country finds itself confronted by con-
ditions for which there is no precedent In the
history Of tho world. Our annual agricultural
productions amount to billions Of dollars In
value. which must within q few weeks or
months be exchanged for billions Of dollars OF
, commodities consumed In their production.
a The existing currency supply Is wholly made
auate 10 mako this exchange The results are
falling prices. the formation OF combines md
Rings and the Impeachment OF the producing
classes. We pledge ourselves that II given
mower We will labor TO correct these evils BY
1 wise and reasonable legislation, In accordanee
, with the terms of our platform.
we believe that the powers OF government
e in other words. OF the peopie-should DO ex-
handed ms In the case OF the postal service) n
rapidly and ms far as the good sense OF an In.
: teilicent people and tho teachings Of expert,
$ snce shall Justify. TO the end that oppression
Iniustice and poverty shall eventually cease In
the land
r While our sympathies as q party Of reform
;, are naturally upon the side Of every PROPOSE
tion which will tend 10 make men intelligent
@ virtuous and temperate. we nevertheless re-
gard these neutrality-suspicious. rs they are
l. a secondary to the great issues now pressing
g., for solution. and upon which not only our in,
Sividuai prosperity. but the very existence Of
!. free Institutions dependa and We -esk al mel
ID help us to determine wnbtner We are .,
have a republic to administer before we diffei
q AZ 70 The Conditions upon which 1t Is to be ad
nipistered. believing that the forces OF reform
= this day organized VIII never cease 70 NOV,
D equal rights and equal privileges securely es
tablished for al the men and women OF TIL
country.
d We declare, therefore
That the union OF tbs labor forces OF the
United States this day eonsummated shall b
. permanent and perpetual-may Its spirit entei
into all hearts for the salvation OF the republic
e and the uplifting Of mankind,
=. Wealth belongs to him Tho creates II. anc
y every dollar taken from Industry without az
sSpSSss sha he The Interests M Of
C and civic labor are the same; their enemiei
=. are identical. a.
N railroad corporations must either own the peo
ME or the people must own the railroads, ant
II Should the government enter upon the work O
b. owning and managing any or all railroads W.
= ahould favor an amendment TO theconstitutioi
q by which all persons engaged In the government
service shall be placed under o civil service
!. regulation OF the most rigid character. so q
10 prevent the increase Of the power Of th.
national administration by the use or sucl
% additional government employees.
We demand u national currency. safe, sount
l. ard flexible. issued by the general government
n only: a full legal tender for all debts, publ
and private. and that without the use OF bank
N Ing corporations; Just, equitable and efficien
means OF distribution. direct 20 the people.
d a tar not 10 exceed per cent. per anEum, =
= he proyided as set forth in tlIe subtreasut,
8 nian OF the Farmers Alliance, or some bette
a. system; - by payments In discharge OF IL
ohliQau "a, for public improvements.
K. We de-, I'D the free and unlimited coinag
NJ silver and gold at the present legal ratio o