Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-12-21
THE PEOPLES PLATFORM.
Adopted in National Convention n
Omaha, July 4, 1899.

Omaha, July 4, 1909.
Assembled upon the 10th anniversary Of the
Declaration of independence, the Peoples
party Of America In their first national con-
venton, invoking upon YER action tho bless
Ing OF Almighty God, puts forth in the name
and on behalf of the people If this country tho
following preamble and declaration of princi-
pies:
Tho conditions which surround US Justify
our action; we meet in tho midst of q nation
brought to the verge Of moral, political md
material ruin. Corruption dominates the bal.
lot box, the legislatures. the congress- and
touches evon the ermine Of tho bench. The
people arc demoralized; most of the state,
have been compelled to isolnte the voters n,
.ho polling places In order to prevent universal
intimidation or bribery. The newspapers are
largely subsidized or muzzled, public opinion
silenccd, 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 pauperizcd labor beats down their
wages; a hireling standing army, unrecog.
nized by our laws, is established to shoot thom
down, and they are rapidly degcnerating into
European conditions. The fruits of the toll OF
millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal
fortunes for O few, unprecedented in the his
tory Of mankind, and the possessors Of these,
In turn. dospisc the republic and endanger
liberty. From tho game prolific womb Of gov
ernmental injustice We breed the two great
cnsscs-tramps and millionaircs.
Tho national power to create money is up
propriatcd to enrich bondholdcrs; a vast pub
lie debt, payable in legal tender currency, has
been funded into gold bearing bonds, thereby
adding millions to tho burdens Of the people.
Silver. which has been accepted rs coin since
the dawn OF history, has been demonetizcd to
add to the purchasing power Of gold by de-
creasing the prizes Of AL forms Of property as
well as human labor. The supply of currency
10 purposely abridged to fattcn usurers, bank
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 overthrown ut onco 1t forebodes terrible
social commissions, the destruction Of civilza-
tion or the establishment Of an absolute des-
potism.
We have Witnessed for moro that quarter
Of a century the struggles of two great politi-
col parties for power and plumber, while griev-
Gus wrongs have been inflicted upon n suffer
ing people. We charge that the controlling
influences dominating both these parties have
permitted tho existing dreadful conditions TO
develop without. serious efforts to prevent or
resl2In rion. Neither DO icy now piemiss
us any substantial relief. They have agreed
together to ignore In the coming campaign
every issue but one. They propose - drown
the outcries of plu:-aei.u foople with tie
uproar Of sham battle over tho tariff. SO that
capitalists, corporations. national banks, rings.
trusts, wntored stock, the decentralization Of
silver and the oppression Of the usurerS may
all DO lost sight OF. They propose to sacrifice
our homes, lives and children on the altar Of
Mammon; to destroy the multitude in order
10 secure corruption funds from tho million
airs.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth
day Of tho nation, and filled with tho spirit Of
the grand generation who established our indie,
pendence, VIC sock to restore tho government
Of the republic to tho hands Of tho plain poo,
plc,y with which class It originated.
We assert our purposes to be Identical with
tho purposes Of the national constitutional
form q more perfect Union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for tho
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-
dure as free government while built upon the
Iovo Of the whole people for each other and
for tho nation; that 1t cannot be pinned tn
gether by bayonets; that the civil war Is over,
and that every passion and resentment which
grew out Of 1t must die with It, and that wo
must be In fact, as we are In name, n united
brotherhood OF 1rcc 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 few weeks or
months be exchanged for billions Of dollars Of
commodities consumed In their production.
Tho existing currency supply is wholly made
quate TO make this exchange. The results are
falling prices, the formation Of combines and
rings and the impoverishment Of tho producing
classes. We pledge ourselves that II given
power wo will labor TO correct these evils by
wise and reasonable legislation. In accordance
with the terms Of our platform.
We believe that tho powers Of government
in other words, OF the people-should DO or
banded (as In the case OF the postal service) as
rapidly and as far as the good sense Of an In
teiligent people and the teachings Of expert
snce shall Justify, to the end that oppression,
injustice and poverty shall eventually cease in
the land.
While our sympathies as q party Of reform
are naturally upon the side Of every PROPOSE
ton which will tend TO make men Intelligent,
virtuous and temperate, we nevertheless ro-
gard these quostions-important as they are
for solution, and upon which not only our in.
dividual prosperity, but the very existence Of
tree institutions denenda and ne ksknu mep
have q republic to administer before we differ
az 10 the conditions upon which 1t Is to be ad.
ministered, believing that tho forces OF reform
this day organized will never cease 70 move
forward until every wrong Is remedied and
equal rights and equal privileges securely es-
tablished for all the men and women OF this
country.
We declare, therefore
That the union OF the labor forces OF the
United States this day consummated shall be
permanent and perpetual-may its spirit onter
Into nil hearts for the salvation Of the republic
and the uplifting Of mankind.
Wealth belongs to him who creates II, and
every dollar taken from industry without M
equivalent Is robbery. IF any will not work
neither shall he eat" The interests Of rural
and civic labor are the same; their enemies
are identical.
We believe that the time has come when the
pie or tho people must own the railroads. and
should the government enter upon the work OF
owning and managing any or all railroads we
should favor an amendment TO the constitution
BY which nll persons engaged In the government
service shall be placed under a civil service
regulation Of the most rigid character, so rs
TO prevent the increase Of the power OF the
national administration by the use OF such
additional government employees.
We demand n national currency, safe. sound
and flexible, issued by the general government
only; n full legal tender for all debts, public
and private, and that without the uKe of bank
Ing corporations; Just, equitable and efficient
means Of distribution, direct TO the people, at
a tax not to exceed per cent. per annuni. 10
be provided rs set forth In the subtreasury
plan Of The Farmers Alliance, or some better
system; - by payments In discharge Of Its