Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1895-02-01
KANSAS AG1rAroR: GARRETT KANSAS, FEB. 1876.
THE PEOPLES PLATFORM.
Adopted in National Conventisn ~
Omaha. July 4, 1909.

Omaha, July 4, 1SO%.
Assembled upon the 10th anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence, the Peoples
party Of America In their first national con-
vention, invoking upon \'eir action tho 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:
Tho conditions which surround US Justify
our action; we meet in the midst of a 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 ermino 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
silenccd, business prostrated, our homes COW
cred with mortgages, labor Impoverished and
the land concentrating In the hands Of the
capitalists. Tho urban workmen are denied
the right Of organization for self protection;
imported pauperized labor beats down their
wages; hireling standing army, unrecog
nized by our laws, is established to shoot them
down, and they are rapidly degencrating into
European conditions. The fruits Of the toll Of
millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal
fortunes for a few, unprecedented In tho his
tory Of mankind, and the possessors Of these,
in turn, despse the republic and endanger
liberty. From the same prolific womb Of gov
ernmental injustice we breed the two great
classes-tramps and millionaires.
The national power to create money is up
propriatcd 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 tho prics Of AL forms Of property as
well as human labor. Tho supply Of currency
is purposely abridged to fatten usurers. bank
rupt enterprise and cnslave industry.
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, tho destruction Of civiza-
ton or the establishment Of IN absolute des-
potism.
We have witnessed for more that quarter
of century tho struggles Of two great polti-
cal 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 tho existing dreadful conditions TO
develop without serious efforts to prevent or
rsslIfn item. Neither do t5ey now pCcmIs>
Us any substantial relief. Thoy have agreed
together to ignore in the coming campaign
every issue but one. They propose 70 drown
the outcries IF plu-1ei.u fcoplc with the
uproar of 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 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
eire.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth
day of tho nation, and filled with the spirit OF
hegrand generation who established our indie.
pendencc, we seek TO restore tho government
OF the republic to the hands of tho plain peo-
ple," with which class 1t originated.
We assert our purposes to be identical with
the purposes OF the national constituton-tc
form n 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-.
dure rs free government while built upon the
owe of the whole people for each other and
Tor the sation; that 1t cannot be pinned tn
getLer by bayonets; that the civil war Is over,
and that every passion and resentment which
grew out Of ii must die with 1t, and that we
must be IN fact, as we are in name, a united
brotherhood OF free men.
Our country finds itself confronted by con-
history OF tho world Our annual agricultural
productions amount to billions Of dollars In
value, which must within a few weeks or
months be exchanged for billions o! dollars Of
commodities consumed in their production.
The existing currency supply Is wholly made
uuGte to make this exchange. The results are
falling prices, tho formation OF combines and
rings and the Impeachment oft the producing
classes. We pledge ourselves that II given
power v will labor to correct these evils by
wise and reasonable legislation, In accordance
with the terms of our platform.
We believe that the powers Of government
in other words, of the people-should be e.
banded las in the case Of the postal service) as
rapidly and MS 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
tion which will tend to make men intelligent,
virtuous and temperate, we nevertheless re-
gard these questions-important rs they are
as secondary TO the great issues now pressing
for eolution, and upon which not only our in
dividuai prosperity, but the very existence Of
tree institnu nns dependa4 and weak AL men
70 help us TO determine wnetner We are u
have arepublio to administer before we differ
mnistered. believing that tho forces Of reform
this day organized will never cease TO move
forward until every wrong Is remcOieu ana
equal rights and equal privileges securely es-
tablished for al the men end women OF this
country.
We declare, therefore
That the union Of the labor forces OF the
United States this day consummated shall be
permanent aad perpetual-mny its spirit enter
Into all 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 an
equivalent is robbery. "If any will not work
neither shall he eat" Tho interests Of rural
and civic labor are the same; their enemies
are identical.
We believe that the time has come when the
railroad corporations must either own the peo-
pie or the 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 all persons engaged In the government
service shall 30 placed under q civil service
regulation OF the most rigid character, SO MS
10 prevent the increase Of the power Of tho
national administration by the use OF such
additional government employees
We demand a national currency, snfe, sound
and flexible, issued by the general government
only: full legal tender for all debts. public
aud private, and that without the use of bank
ing corporations; Just, equitable and efficient
means Of distribution. direct 10 tho people. at
tar not to exceed per cent. per annum, TO
plan Of Tire Farmers Alliance, or some better
system; - by payments In discharge of its
oblga.i FOR public improvements.
We dci...nd the free and unlimited coinage
Of silver and gold Mt the present legal ratio OF
10 to l.
We demand that the amount Of tho circulat-
ing medium be speedily increased to not less