Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-10-02
F9oan the Washington Capito

kFTpHt INC HuNttftytOt jUpWUt.
II there is one distinguished charac-
teristic which the Democratic party has
always claimed it, is its constancy to
Democratic maxims. 10 prosperity or
adversely, peace or war in power or out
Of power, it has been hard money par
ty. 1t has always said that wampum
or its cquiyalent--greenbacks--may do
for savages, but civilized nations OILY
recognize that as a legitimate represent
alive Of wealth which has actual and un-
changeablc value among all people and
under all circumstances
Ia Ohio and Pennsylvania this party
has placed itself in antagonism not only
to lis own traditions, but to every plat
form which has been announced by the
conventions Of other States.
There probably never was such
middle in party affairs. The Repnbli-
cans Of the Buckeye and keystone States
are in perfect harmony with the Demo-
Gratis of Kentucky, Maryland, Massa-
cnusetts aud New York on what appears
to be the issue of the day. Mr.. Carl
Schurz is invited to address the Repub-
licans Of Ohio; and he might, without
subjecting himself to the charge of in
consistency, make the same speeches to
Tammany aud make them acceptable.
Mr.. Boutwell,, who, as Secretary of the
Treasury, INDUCED in solemn utterances
about the benefits Of initiation, is on the
stump, the antagonist Of himself aud his
doctrine Mr.. Allen, u Democrat OF the
old school, is spreading strange doctrines,
and Messrs. Thurman and Hendricks
are engaged in the futile task OF harmo-
nizing irreconcilables.
Politics and parties seem to be in a
state Of hotchpot. When the Republic
cans realized the fact that the issues
which kept them alive were dead, they
looked about them for some new and at
tractive card to play, and it seemed
that the alternative was to inflame the
native and sectarian mind into that state
Of frenzy when tho establishment of a
Know Nothing party would be feasible,
or they must step down and out.
The Democrats of Ohio and Pennsyl-
vania volunteered ct the right moment
to relieve them from the dilemma by
creating an issue which while itinsures
the destruction Of both Of the old par
ties, from present appearances, insure
the birth Of two new ones.
The question is will the leaders Of the
Democratic party guide the masses or
will the masses guide the leaders? To
the uneducated mind imitation is at
tractye; the laborer who knows he will
get dollar and half in greenbacks
and only dollar in gold says, give me
the greenbacks by all means. He does
not consider that one is intrinsically
valuable and, in domestic sense, ex-
changeably equal to the other, which
has no intrinsic value whatever. The
anti Democratic condition which both
Ohio and Pennsylvania exhibit to-day
is owing to the fact that both of those
States are wanting in men who "know
the right, aud knowing; dare maintain.
When one existing party IL divided
against itself, as is the Democratic par
~, and the other party is occupying a
relation to the vital issue opposite TO
that which it has always borne, there
is but one inference, which is. that
dissolution Of old organizations and the
rise Of new is inevitable.
What names these fresh creations
will bear ia of no consequence, bnt one
thing is an almest ascertained fact--it
il that the colors of the next race are to
be yellow and green.