208 HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL. 



of all unjust technicalities, delays, and discriminations, in the administra- 

 tion of justice. 



10. That we demand the tariff laws be so amended as to remove all 

 import duties on articles entering into our manufactures, and that the 

 duties be levied mainly upon articles of luxuries, not above the import- 

 ing point. 



11. That we demand that the government shall protect the Chicka- 

 saws and Choctaws, and other civilized Indians of the Indian Territory, 

 in all their inalienable rights, and shall prevent railroads and other 

 wealthy syndicates from overriding the law and treaties now in existence 

 for their protection. 



12. That we are unqualifiedly in favor of the education of the masses 

 by a well regulated system of free schools. 



13. That we demand that no patents be renewed after the expiration 

 of the time for which they were originally patented. 



14. Resolved, That this body will not support any man for Congress, 

 of any political party, who will not pledge himself, in writing, to use all 

 his influence for the formation of these demands into laws. 



The following preamble and constitution were adopted : 



Whereas, The general condition of our country imperatively demands 

 unity of action on the part of the laboring classes, reformation in econ- 

 omy, and the dissemination of principles best calculated to encourage 

 and foster agricultural and mechanical pursuits, encouraging the toiling 

 masses, leading them in the road to prosperity, and providing a just and 

 fair remuneration for labor, a just exchange of our commodities, and the 

 best mode and means of securing to the laboring classes the greatest 

 amount of good ; 



We hold to the principle that all monopolies are dangerous to the 

 best interests of our country, tending to enslave a free people and sub- 

 vert and finally overthrow the great principles purchased by Washington 

 and his glorious compatriots ; 



We hold to the principle that the laboring classes have an inherent 

 right to buy and sell when and wherever their interests are best served, 

 and patronize none who dare, by word or action, oppose a just, fair, and 

 equitable exchange of the products of our labor ; 



We denounce as unjust and unfair any set of men who sell at large 

 profits to gain the advantage over the laboring classes, and obtain the 

 product of their labor at greatly reduced prices, thus forcing patronage 

 and constituting a hateful monopoly, making free and independent men 

 slaves ; 



