Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-10-19

THE PEOPLES PLATFORM.
Adopted in National Convention ~
Omaha, July 4, 1909.

Declaration of Independence, the 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 q 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 tho bench. The
people are demoralized; most Of the states
have been compelled to Isolate the voters al
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 protection;
imported pauperzed labor beats down theiI
wages: n hireling standing army, unrecog
niZed by our laws, Is established to shoot them
down. AID they are rapidly degenerating into
European conditions The fruits Of the toll OF
millions arc 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.
ernmentul injustice We breed the Two great
classes-tramps and millionaires.
The national power to create money Is ap-
propriated to enrich bondholders; q 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 oil forms of property as
well as human labor. The supply OF currency
10 purposcly abridged to fatten usurers, bank
rupt enterprise and enslave industry.
A vast conspiracy against mankind has been
organized on two continents, and II is rapidly
taking possession OF the world. II not met
and overthrow at once 1t forebodes terrible
social commissions, the destruction OF civilza-
tion or the establishment OF an absolute des-
potism.
We have witnessed for more that quarter
OF century the struggles OF TWO great poiiti-
col parties for power and plumber, while griev-
Gus wrongs have been inflicted upon q suffer
ing people. We charge that the controlling
influences dominating both these parties have
permitted the existing dreadful conditions 10
develop without serious efforts to prevent or
reslYITn tlien Neither do ley nov pt c'nisA
US any substantial relief. They have agreed
together to ignore In the coming campaign
every issue but one They proposs 70 drown
the outcries If @ plu-lr,~u kcople with the
upronr OF shaih pat'io over INC tai".' ro 'nS'
capitalists. corporations, national banks, rings.
trusts, watered stock, the decentralization Of
silver md the oppression of the usurers may
ali ha Ios, sigbt ~ They nronose IN sacrifice
NJ 70 .oss IT,, ahi,dro,, an ~ L. -
our houics' h'.s VIM .nnuion ,. oa WV 80 y.
Mammon; TO destroy inc muitituae III oruer
TO secure corruption funds from the million
aire.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth.
the grand generation who established our inde.
pendcnce, we seek 10 restore the government
OF the republic to the hands OF the plain peo-
Mo ~ with which class Il originated.
~ assor, our nurnosos IN ha identical with
=, . IL r.,i..,I sana,i,,,,ia -
the purposes Vi 'ne na,iontii ,,,, :"
form a more perfect onioh' estapiish JUSTICE
insure domestic tranquility, provide FOR the
common defense, promote the general welfare
md secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves
Hnu gu, pvs.ei'.
we declare that this repuohc Jan ohiy en-
dure as free government while built upon the
owe OF the whole people for each other and
for the nation: that II cannot be pinned tn
- h,. Lo ,orots. ,bat Tho civil war A. over
Beth.i ~ 20! .'a-1,s.. - .o,ur,,,,, ,t,is,'
ana that c'cr! pussion unu ,esen'insn. "nen
grew out OF IL must uie Win H. ana that we
must be in fact, MS we are In name. united
brotherhood of free men.
Our country finds itself confronted BY con.
eitions io' , ""'en O, Nv - ".s-is,,i.,-aI
productions amount TO billions OF dollars In
mol which must within few weeks