Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-08-01
THE NATION

The signs Of the times very strong
ly indicate that the Country is soon to
pass through a fierce political agita.
lion which is quite likely to toss the
old political parties and candidates in
the air with the violence Of tornado.
Every thing goes by big waves now
and this is getting the force Of a huge
wave, the power of which cannot be
foretold. 1t recently swept Califor-
MIA and the democratic and republi-
can parties as such have now only a
nominal existence. The we'll settled
party organizations Of the north and
east may prove sound and firm
enough to break the wave but it is
evident they are destined to receive a
rough shaking. 1t all comes of the
hard times. The country is covered
with the wrecks OF bankruptcy. In
employed men look around in vain
for work, or toll in discomfort at re.
duced wages. Every business inter-
est languishes. Confidence is thing
of the past. Capital flies to the gov.
eminent four per cent as its last ref
uge Of security.
And now comes the demagogues op-
portunity, which he eagerly seizes, to
preach strange doctrines which unset
lie old beliefs. lie gIibly recounts
the causes which have brought about
business depression, bankruptcy and
idleness. He denounces both the old
political parties. They are to blame
for all the trouble, especially the one
in power. 1t is not our purpose to
enter into any argument or discussion
of the subject. 1t is only as a chron-
icler Of passing events that we allude
to movements which are every day
growing more formidable--. movements
which if successful will change the
whole financial policy and condition
of the country. The country is rife
with agitators. Greenbackers, labor
reform men, socialists and commun-
lists are each actively at work in the
propagation Of their opinions and the
ores. In some Of these organizations
there are good men in the leadership.
Their declarations Of principle show
an admixture of both truth and error
Although they disagree very widely
on many points they are managing to
agree on one great point and that Is
to act together in national party
In The South they have as yet made
little or no development Of strength.
In the West they are rampant and
confident Of carrying all before them.
In Pennsylvania and New York they
are now so we'll organized and busy
as to give the old parties great anx-
iety. In the Eastern states Kearney
is to open the ball in his oharacteris-
tic style, in Boston this week. Their
popular war cry is more green.
backs" The government bonds must
pay tax. The national banks be i'm
mediately wiped out Of existence
Our national bank currency he imne.
diately called in. Millions of green.
backs issued to take its place. The
greenback is to do away with go!d.-
Too much land must not be held bv
any one man. There must be land
limitation laws. Incomes over $1,000
must be taxed. Rail road transport
tation be placed under government
control. A variety Of other PROPOSE
tons are suggested which look to the
government taking a more fatherly
care over every body and giving
working-men better pay for less
work. This is the national green
back labor-reform party's way of
bringing about better times. 1t in
wolves radical change in affairs and
an agitation which will have to be
squarely met.