The Portland daily press., 1878-07-24
Nasby and the Nationals.

The Ohio imitation campaign Of 1875 called
forth many notable speeches and papers OF
both sides of the currency question. But by
far the clearest statement of the purposes
and methods of the infationists was made in
series Of letters contributed to the Toledo
Blade by the Rev. Petroleum V. Nasty, an
enthusiastic tand aggressive Greenbacker.
Mr.. Nasty had the rare courage of his opin-
ions, was frank and candid in his arguments,
never evading the points at issue, nor fearing
to carry out his financial doctrines to their
logical results. Not satisfied with theories
he submitted them to the test of actual trial.
thus giving the most conclusive proof of the
sincerity of his convictions and the earnest
ness of his faith. His attempt to carry the
doctrines of the National party into practice
is described with considerable tullness in the
letters above mentioned. The story of that
attempt is so interesting and instructive that
we purpose to repeat it for the benefit of the
Maine Greenbackers. They will find it edi-
tying. 1t is true the experiment resulted
disastrously, but it will be perceived that the
failure was entirely due to 'the general Gus
oCuHSSo Va Auiudu DdLuLG. EdlCQISSS SJf6en-
hackers and ignorant and bgoted money
sharks and gold bugs united almost from the
first to discredit the scheme. There was
lamentable want of 'faith" in the new
money, and as the currency was based upon
faith and not upon the antiquated supersti-
ton OF gold, it, of course, had nothing to
rest upon. That certainly was not the fault
OF the system. The failure is wholly attrb-
utable to the deplorable lack of confidence
displayed by the opinionaled and fanatical
people who had things to sell. Had every.
body readily taken the new currency there
would have been no trouble. But the men
who had commodities to dispose of refused.
Even the law making the money legal.tender
did not make it acceptable. Traders had to
take it in discharge of debts due them, bat
brutally refused to sell anything more for it
or give further cred t. In fact, the people
returned to state of barter.
1t will be perceived by Mr.. Nasby's first
letter, published elsewhere, that that emf
nent financier was not originally Green
backer He was a Democrat blipdly cling
ing to the hard money traditions of Jackson
and Benton. But with that sensitiveness to
new opinions and that wonderful receptivity
characteristic of Democrats he soon became
convinced of the error of his ways. It NAV
be objected that mis- conversion was too sud-
den to be natural. But the people of Maine
know better. They have seen Democrats of
more or less prominence in this State under
60 as sudden change of financial principles.
Indeed we have some distinguished examples
in Portland. 1t will also be observed that
Mr.. Nasty did not basely betray his party.
IIe was faithful to his first love, and mis- con-
slant aim was to use the new financial doc
trines to promote the interests of the Democ
racy. Ofcourse he did not foolishly proclaim
this purpose to Republicans inclined to soft
money. He used admirable discretion while
"scoopin' 'em in," affecting to be at work
solely in the interests of currency reform.
In these respects too he is wonderfully like
his brethren of Mane. Nor until he had got
his Republicans safely in the Greenback fold
did this shepherd throw off his disguise and
appear as genuine Democrat.
These letters are commended TO the atten-
tion of Nationals. They cannot but be inter-
ested in the history and result of an expert
ment so like that which they are seeking to
persuade the country to try.