The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-11
Pepples PaItI Platform.


subsequent platforms of 1896 and 1900.
In session in its fourth national con-
vcntion on July 4, 1904, in the city of
Springfield, H.. it draws inspiration
from the day that saw the birth of the
nation, as well as its own birth as
party, and also from the soul of him
who lived at its present place of meet
ing.
We renew our allegiance to the old
fashioned American spirit that gave
this nation existence, and made it dis
tinctive among the peoples of the
earth. We again sound the keynote of
The Declaration of Independence, that
all men are created equal in politi-
cal sense, which is the sense in which
t1aL instrument, being a political
document. intended that the uttcrance
should be understood. We assert that
the departure from this fundamental
truth is responsible for the ills from
which we suffer as nation; that the
giving of special privileges to the few
has enabled them to dominate the
many, thereby tending to destroy the
political equality which is the corner
stone Of democratic government.
We call for. return to the truths
OF the fathers, and we vigorously pro-
test against the spirit Of mammonism
ana of thinly-yeiled monarchy, that is
invading certain sections of our ma
tioral life, and of the very administra-
ton itself. This is nation of peace,
ana we deplore the appeal to the spir-
il OF force and militarism which Is
shown in lll-advised and vainglOrious
Lcasung and. in more harmful ways,
IN the tcElal of the rights Of man un-
der a, (iaI law.
y A political democracy and an indus
trial aGspotism cannot exist side by
side; and nowhere is this truth more
llainly shown than in the gigantic
m0nOu0nes which have bred all sorts
of kindred trusts subverted the GOV
ernIlents Of many OF the states, and
established their official agents in the
national government. We submit
that it is better for the government
to own the railroads than for the rail-
roads to own the government; and
that one or the. other alternative
seems inevitable.
We call the attention OF. our fellow
citizens to the fact that the surrender
Of both of the old parties to corporate
influences leaves the peoples party
the only party OF reform in the ma
ton.
Therefore, we. SUBMIT the following
platform of principles to the Ameri-
can people:
The issuing of money is a function
Of government, and should never be
delegated to corporations or individ-
uals. The constitution gives to con-
gress alone power to coin money and
regulate its value.
We demand, therefore, that all mon
ely shall be issued by the government
in such quantity as shall maintain
stability in prices, every dollar to be
fill legal tender, none of which shall
be debt redeemable in other money.
We demand that postal savings
banks be established by the govern
ment for the safe deposit of the saw
ings of the people.
We believe in the right Of labor to
organize for the benefit and protec-
tion OF those who TOLL and pledge the
efforts of the peoples party to pre-
serve this right inviolate. Capital is
organized and has no right to deny to
labor the privilege which it claims for
itself. We feel that intelligent organi-
cation OF labor. is essential; that ii
raises the standard of workmanship
and promotes the efficiency, intelli-
gence, Independence and character OF
the wage-earner. We believe with
Abraham Lincoln that labor is prior
to capital, and is not its slave, but its
companion: and we plead for that
broad spirit of federation and justice
which will promote industrial peace
through the observance of the prin-
ciples OF voluntary arbitration.
We favor the enactment OF legisla.
ton looking to the Improvement oI
conditions for wage-earners, the aboli-
tion of child labor. the suppression ol
sweat shops and OF convict labor. N
competition with free labor. and the
exclusion from American shores oil
I fnrofpn pnunar tahor