The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-08-06
GREENBACKERs W.. COMMUN-
ISW.

There is nothing that so excites the
ire of one portion Of the Greenbackers
as the charge that the party TO which
they belong is IN sympathy with Com
munism. These Greenbackers have
their own ideas of the principles they
favor, but unfortunately they do not
appear to be able 10 exert much inhu-
ence on tire great mass of the party.
Hence we see great difference IN the
doctrines enuuciated 10y the different
persons who assume to speak authori-
lively as to the aims and professions
Of the Ma ional party. In Michigan
the Conservative element of the party
that is those who only favor urge
issue of Greenbacks and the making
actual money OF them by legal enact
ment-controled the convention that
issued the platform upon which they
expect the party to stand. but this
platform falls far short OF what the
great majority Of Greenbackers,
through their press and their oSators,
claim to favor.
We eau readily see how many OF the
Greenbackers become indignat when
classed with Communists, because
they themselves are utterly opposed to
such doctrines. The history Of the in
ception of the French revolution may
be read with profit 10y them. The men
who with the best intentions, started
to effect an amelioration Of the cOndi-
iiou Of the working classes in France,
aud a greater liberty Of the people, had
no idea that bloody revolution would
be the ultimate result OF their agita-
ton and that they themselves should
form a portion OF the sufferers. In
France the Girondi-tS gave way to the
Jacobins. and they in turn succumbed
to the blood-thirs'y Sans Cullotes.
/ The Conservative Greenbackers to-day
stand in the <elation of the first named
party; they are favor OF a mild revolu-
ton, aud imagine IL will be easy TO
say, "Thus far shalt those go, but no
further" But the trouble with revolu-
tions are that, though easy to hannle
I in their incipiency, they gather
strength as they progress. and finally
end 10y destroying friend and foe alike
The lax ideas of honesty in regard to
/ the public credit OF even the most Con-
seTvative Gre9nbackers is sure, from
his teachings and examples, to spread
among the people, aud it is but a step,
aud an easy one. from public TO pri-
yate dishonesty IL is but a step from
stamping piece Of paper. calling it
money, and insisting on its being re-
ceiyed for the debts of the nation to
Wholesale reputation. The taking OF
property or money by the Government
/ under promise of pay for 1t in money,
and then substituting a piece OF paper
/ for the money. is nothing more or less
than rank dishonesty, and when a
| Greenback man urges 1t, on the plea
| Of necessity, he is then favoring a doc
/ trine as thoroughly Communistic as
ever obtained among the followers OF
\ the French commune. Since the con.
yention at Grand Rapids there has
been a strong growth in the sentiments
of the Nationals, as witnessed by the
increasing tendency 10 Communism iu
the principles they enuniciate. Last
week the New York Nationals held q
convention at Syracuse. The financial
planks Of their platform, as published
by the Detroit National. is as follows:
Declares for full legal tender, absolute gov,
ernment paper money.
Demands the immediate payment Of all The
bonds In absolute paper money.
Demands the repeal Of the Natl5nal bank
Ing act, and Withdrawal Of their notes from
I circulation.
II these doctrines DO not fully iusti
~ all the charges of Communism and
dishonesty that have vet been made
against the Nationals, then We are in
capable Of understanding the English
language.
The next plank demands the adop
ton Of land Limitation laws, land mon
opoly being productive Of poverty Il
the working classes. Our Michigan
Greenbackers are busy denying tha
they favor the limitation OF the owner
ship Of land. How does this planl
suit them? The Detroit National
which insists that Greenbackers ar,
opposed to such limitation, speaks a
follows Of that platform adopted b,
the Nationals at the Syracuse Conven
ton.
The New York State Convention of IN
National GrcenbAck-labor party. which me
NJ Syracuse on Tuesday aud "Wednesday
adopted platform that cannot fail to cemeu
the nniOn ~ the Grcenback and Labor ele
mcnts Of the party. and cheer the hearts q
all true rcfOrmer.
Will our correspondent. II. +. Il.
feel checred when he reads that plat
form aud the comments of bis State or
} gan upon it2--l Detroit Weekly Pric
} Carrent.