Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-10-12
KANSAS AGITATOR:
THE PEOPLES PLATFORM.
Adopted In National Convention ~
Omaha, July {, 1899.

ventl0n, INVOKING upon lNeir actlon tne Dles5-
ing of Almighty God. puts forth in the name
and on behalf Of the people If this country the
following preamble and declaration of prnci-
pies:
The conditions which surround US justify
our action we meet in the 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 pauperized labor beats down their
wages: a hireling standing army, unrecog.
nized by our laws, Is established to shoot them
down, and they are rapidly degenerating into
European conditions. The fruits Of the 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 the same prolific womb Of gov
ornamental injustice we breed the two great
classes-tramps and millionaires.
propriated to enrich bondholders; 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
the dawn Of history, has been demonetized to
add to the purchasing power Of gold by de-
creasing the price Of all forms Of property as
well as human labor. The supply Of currency
Is purposely abrid red to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise and enslave industry.
A vast conspiracy against mankind has been
organized on two continents, and It is rapidly
taking possession Of the world. II not met
and overthrown 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 century the struggles Of two great politi-
cal parties for power and plumber. while grew
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 70
develop without. serious efforts to prevent or
resCYEm nism. Neither DO FEY now pecmIx
us any substantial relief. They have agreed
together to ignore In the coming campaign
every issue but one They propose 70 drown
the outcries IF o plu-lervu y>ople with the
uproar of q sham battle over the tariff, SO that
capitalists. corporations. national banks, rings.
trusts, watered stock, the decentralization OF
silver and the oppression OF the usurers may
all DO lost sight OF. Ihey propose 10 sacrihce
our homes. lives and children on the altar Of
Mammon; to destroy the multitude In order
10 secure corruption funds from the million
airs,
Assembled on the anniversary Of the BIRTH
day Of the nation, and filled with the spirit Of
the grand generation who established our indie.
pendcnce. we seek to restore the government
Of the republic to the hands OF the plain poo
ple," with which class u originated
We assert our purposes TO DO Identical with
the purposes OF the national ooHstltutlon-to
form more perfect Union' establish Justice,
insure domestic tranquility. provide for the
common defense promote the general welfare
and secure the dressings OF liberty LOT ourselves
and our posterity'
We declare that this republic can only en-
dure as free government while built upon the
owe of the whole people for each other and
ior tho nation; that IL cannot be pinned To-
ro,har hv hovonets. sbat me civil war IA oy.p
SOY. ~ 70. .'aar, "a uo,aa.a', ,Liphh
ana that every passion ahu ,osen.insh. wnicn
grew Gu. G' aiG IN
brotherhood OF free men.
Our country finds itself confronted by con.
a,,,ons Tor which there IL no nrecedent in the
Si.ions ~ o.s ~ -is.. -. ..
history OF thow oriu. our nnnuai ag,icuiturM
productions amount to billions Of dollars in
value which must within few weeks or
months be exchanged for billions Of dollars Of
.nrnmndItios cona1mea in their nroductlon
~, rI,;. 'nsana,, s,'nrif, - Ill, tnaSs'
Inc eA's.ihs ouilonuy suppV nv. mAony ,hNss
quate TO make TINS exchange' Inc results are
falling prices, the formation OF combines and
rings and the impoverishment Of the producing
ciasscs. We pledge ourselves that II given
s power v c win labor to correct these evils BY
wise and reasonable legislation, In accordance
with the terms OF our PLATFORM.
I'm other words, of the people-should be er-
M ndad fos in The ease Of tho postal seryicel as
p hui ona 40 10, as ,ha aood sansa =, an ~
inpiuy anu ., ~ ~ ~. ~ sSt ~ W
teinaent peopie anu ,ne .eaca,ngs Oh eAperl'
ence shall 1nstiIy, 10 the enu that oppression,
Injustice and poverty shall eventually cease In
the land.
whiIo mr. svrono,hia. as n nor,v ~ r.,orr,
WY ~, % .uIS VI .o.o
are natura'ly upon inc sue OF every PROPOSE
ton wplch WI .enu 70 "ahe lnon .h.1Iascn~
vlrtnous anu te.hperate, VIC neVertneiess TO
garu tnese Questipns-ilnpyI.an " they Aro
g secondary 70 inc great issues now pressilns
ior solu.ion, ana upon whieo not only our IN,
elvluuA! prospeFls, uut 'no sery ets.eWnee y,
20 help us 70 determme wnetner we are "
have a republic 70 administer before we diner
as TO the conditions upon wnich u u 70 DC az.
ministered, believing tnat tho FORCES OF reform
this day organized Will never cease 70 move
forward until every wrong Is remedied AND
equal rights anc equal privileges securely es-
tablished for all the men and women OF TINS
We declare. therefore,