Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1895-02-08
THE PEOPLES PLATFORM.
Adopted in National CoAvensisn %
Omaha, July Z, 1909.

Omanas July T. 1S0H.
Assembled upon tho 10th anniversary Of tn,
Declaration Of Independence, the People,
party Of America In their first national con
vention, invoking upon &Neir action the bless
Ing of Almighty God. putA forth in tho nam,
and on behalf Of the people II this country tn,
following preamble and declaration of princi
pies:
Tho conditions which surround rs 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. tho congress, and
touches evon the ermine of the bench. The
people are demoralized; most of the state.
have been compelled to isolate tho voters al
the polling places In order to prevent universal
intimidation or bribery. The newspapers are
largely subsidized or muxzled, public opinion
silcnced, business Frustrated, our homes GOV.
cred with mortgages, labor impoverished and
tho land concentrating In the hands Of the
capitalists. The urban workmen arc denied
the right Of organization for self protection;
imported pauperizod 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 tho his.
tory of mankind, and the posssssors of these.
In turn. despise the republic and endanger
liberty. From the Same prolific womb of gov.
ePnmental injustice we breed tho two great
classes-tramps and millionaires.
The national power to create money Is ap-
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 tho burdens Of tho 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-
apn fhA prfAa A. al - -.
well as human labor. Tho supply Of currency
Ia purposely abridged TO fatten Insurers, bank
rupt enterprise and enslavs industry.
A vast conspiracy against mankind has boon
organized on two continents and n n rapidly
taking possession of the world. II mot met
and ovortArown at once It forebodes terrible
social convulsions, the destruction Of civilza-
ton er the Establishment Of IN absolute des-
potism.
We have Witnessed for hors that quarter
Of century tho struggles Of TIVE great politi-
cal parties for power and PlundeY, while griev-
Gus wrongs have been Indicted upon suffer
ing people. We charge that tho controlling
influences dominating both these parties have
permitted the existing dreadful conditions to
develop without serious enorts to prevent or
resGam Gem. NsIther do (dey now premise
u any substantial relief. They have agreed
together TO ignore In tho coming campaign
every issue but one They propose 70 drown
the outcries If . plu-zcrvu f,ople with the
uproar of sham battle over the tariff, SO that
capitalists. corporations, national banks, rings,
trusts, wstsfed stock, the demonstration Of
silver and tho oppression Of tho 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
h secure corruption funds from the million
sfrs.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth
day Of the nation, and filled with the spirit Of
Che grand generation who established our inde-
psndenco, we seek to restore the government
II the republic to the hands Of "the plain peo-
pie" with which class It originated.
We assert our purposes TO DO identical with
the purposes of the national constitution-to
form q more perfect Union, establish Justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general welfare
and secure tho blessings Of liberty for ourselves
md our posterity."
We declare that this republic can only en-
durs a. . free government while built upon the
Owe Of the whole people for each other and
FOR the nation; that II cannot be pinned tn
gether by bayoncts; that the civil war Is over,
and that every passion and resentment which
grew out Of It must die with IL md that we
must be In fact, as we are in name, united
Brotherhood OF free men.
Our country finds itself confronted by con.
qltions lor WHICH tpere 10 no preceoene IN INC
history Of tho world. Our annual agricultural
productions amount to billions Of dollars In
vplue. which must within few weeks or
months be exchanged for billions OF dollars OF
commodities consumed In their production.
The existing currency supply fs wholly made
duate TO make this exchange. The results are
falling prices, the formation Of combines and
sincs n nd the fmpo yerishmont of the PRODUCING
siasses' We pledge ourselves that II giye&
power we will labor to correct these evils by
wise and reasonable legislation, In accordance
With the terms Of our platform
ye believe that tho powers Of government
4, ofhar ,rord.- of Abe pecolo-sheulA be S,r.
S.d 10 IN ~. rosa ~ n. ,,o.n.I s.rxS.s :,
Panuvu Vas ~ az 49, =. ~
rapidly ana az rfI az &c eoeo scn@ &c m
eree shall yustfy, b Vie end tfsae oppression.
injustice and poverty shall evsntsuf1y ss3sD ~
r. land.
Tbu n.sAI
49,
pe na!ur2fif Ppm ~ eNe evSy VRY0f
por wnlth Wih send ~ nahe men m1sogonN
frtuous onu WhPeIate We hWGAcfoss TO
gro tneSe 9uetyns-nnpYItao - no5 ~
4e secondary 70 ne Frcay meeN new Frossine
~ splu!fun, ana uP2n wMsn ~ Only our IA.
diuduai pfospority, edy we wy e1nsSnoe OF
Gee insninIons asnenaA 900 M W. mfe
70 help us 70 oeternIne whetner we arr "a
have republic TO edminlster before we diffeI
as TO the CONDITIONS upon'which II y 70 ae as,
ministered. believing that the forces Of reform
this day organized VIII never cease 70 move
forward untb every wrong is remedied and
equal rights ana equal privileges eecureiy e.
tablished for all the men and women OF this