The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-05-06
THE INDIANAPOLIS CONVENTION

On Wednesday, May 18th, the National
Convention of the Independent party as
sembles i'll indianapolis, for the purpose
Of nominating candidates for the position
Of President and Vice President Of the
United States. On its deliberations
events, momentOus III their character, far
reaching in their effects, depend. To it
two courses are open-one dictated by
principle, the other by policy the one
based ON temporary, the other ON per
malent success.
To-day pail hangs over the country
Business is Frustrated. Workshops are
closed. Workmen are idle. The future
is full Of doubt and danger Bankruptcy
and ruin stare the nation in the face
The most enterprisng, energetic and
hopeful are verglng on despair. Men talk
with baited breath Of "the coming disas-
ter" Confidence is shaken. Distrust
rules the hour Corruption stalks abroad,
and Good save the Republic" springs i'll
voluntarily from the lips Of every patriotic
citizen.
And what are our lawmakers doing
Listening to the vail Of this oppressed
Providing a remedy Tor the distress exist
ing Not at all. Cur national clowns
are fiddling while Rome is burning. Frit-
tering away the day Of grace, wh..c the
country Is going TO the devil talking Of
party supremacy, and turning a deaf ear
to the demands OF the people ; pursuing a
penny wise and pound foolish policy
obeying the behests of the money kings,
and driving the nation at break-neck
speed to the very verge of perdition.
A Democratic House of Representatives.
md a Republican Senate are aliGe Joined
to their idols alike culpable. and twin
betrayers Of the peoples interests.
Under these circumstances, is it plu-
dent, is it desirable for the Independent
party, at this Juncture, to cater, or at
tempt to cater, to the behests Of either
Does any sane man believe that either
party will give an honest or unqualified
support 70 the financial principles. in the
adoption Of which not only the welfare.
but the existence Of the Republic de-
ponds While We believe the great mass
Of the people, Democrats and Republicans
alike, are heartily in favor Of the Ameri-
g.. II
political wire-trimmers and n.anipulators
will never acqulesce lii any scheme look
Ing to its practical enforcement.
We have no sympathy with the hue and
cry raised for a change III the admins
tratlon." A change of masters never
freed the slave. II the Democratic party
intends to pursue the same financial
policy which the Republican party has ad-
vocated and now advocates, land we have
no reason to think the contrary, We have
no lesire TO See change inaugurated. If
the country must 20 the devil, We would
Just as soon go there under the guidance
Of Republican as Of Democratic pilot.
Party names and ties have lost their tails
manic charms.
A compromise platform and nominee
at indianapolis involves a surrender Of
principle to the monied power; means the
selection Of a candidate and the adoption
of a platform acceptable to Belmont, Til
den, and the Wall street money sharks.
He who Is not for us is against Us. 1t is
true We may 20 through the farce enacted
at Chlcago-nomlnate a war candidate on
peace platform, or rice rsrsa. Our read
ers will remember the Seymour tiasco-a
precisely similar instance. What the peo-
pie want, however is relief a change in
our fiscal policy change which will sub
stltute prosperity for adversely, plenty for
want, re-establish confidence. employ our
idle workers, and secure to labor the
fruits Of its toll
Let as then throw our banner To the
breeze compromise to the dogs Let
the Independents 90 before the country
on the single issue cheap money and loc
interest, Trusting to the patriotism. the
common sense, the intelligence, and the
self-Interest q the American people for
success, and all will be we'll.