The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-28
FIRST GUN FOR 1878.
The New Party First in the Field.
Speech of Frank w. Hughes at Harrisburg
An Aggressive Creenback Labor
Policy and Campaign for rs
The Positions and Faith
of Parties Defined

The Greenback-Labor party had /;
large meeting in the court house. al
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. OH the
night Of December 29th, when the
Hon. f. w. Hughes, of Pottsville
delivered an address, which was fire.
quently and loudly applauded. Mr.
Hughes said:
What force so recently broke OIL
from existing political organizations
in this state SO 900 voters! What Oc
caSiOned them to sacrifice old political
association despite the mystic cords
of the memories of and sympathies
engendered by past conflicts with va.
rying results of defeats and triumphs
Was it to join still another and then
existing great political organization,
whose prestige and success in the past
promised, or whose present power
guaranteed or afforded, the hope of
official patronage or personal reward
of any kind! No! These $1,000 vot-
erS made their sacrifices and efforts
for what they regarded as the stern
est demands of duty and patriotism.
Thus we have seen spring up a new
organization that may justly claim to
be regarded as present great politi-
cal party.
We witness since the last election
throughout the state what you so we'll
illustrate here tonight. Large pub
lie meetings, discussions in clubs. and
more newspapers advocating sound
money doctrines, whilst people every
where are telling us that as now we
have party and q practical move
ment that gives promise of success,
they will join it. Scores of new clubs
have been organized since our last
election. Our state committee will
meet next month, and we shall
strengthen our state organization and
soon effect q national one.
FUTURE POLICY OF TIE PARTY.
Ny purpose tonight chiefly is to adj
dress You in reference to our future
policy and prospects. Our principles
being pretty well defined the name of
the National organization will be an
early consideration. Whatever name
we may adopt should be indi-
cative of Our underlying principles.
The adoption of a proper name neces-
Sarily brings into view these princi-
pies. The designation Of a Green
back Labor party, by which we were
known in this state. by Nationals and
Independents, and other names else
where, do not seem to be sufficiently
Indicative of these principles.
Let me inquire, do we propose to
exclude the men of capital who will
employ that capital in productive in
dustrieS! Do the advocates of the
Labor party claim that capital that
furnishes employment To labor super
yised and controlled by its owner.
with unceaslng toll of both his brain
and muscles, is not II laborerl That
the capital by means of which he gives
employment to others who labor does
not constitute in Il great measure the
tools of his trade or calling! | have
seen no definite limitations fixed as
to what class of persons engaged in
the employment of either their brains
or muscles, or both, are not entitled
to be recognized rs laborers. The
creative power of the brain is seen in
the wonderful inventions that to-day
in England are doing the work of 600.-
900 900 men. and in this country of
probably half rs many. The Labor
party have not arrayed themselves
against such men as were Fulton and
Watt and Morse and Field.
But even III Us extensive and COM
prehensive an application rs | sup
pose is generally understood. the fact
remains that portions of our people
who are entitled to the protection and
q \ 4 4
Hence purity with such designation
is Indicative of Il class and not rs
comprehending the whole people
The Labor party claiming for them
selves merely the benefits of just
laws. also agree that they shall be
equal and apply TO all.
WHAT THE PARTY DEMANDS.
The Labor party demands that the
profits of labor shall be appropriated
TO those who furnish the labor. ana
that capital that has hitherto sought
to appropriate to itself the profits o.
labor. shall be Sd regulated rs to re
strain ii from obtaining more than
Just share for its use. This claim, n
| understand it. the Labor party ma,
accomplish: first by IN adequate sup
ply Of money. or medium of eNchang,
that shall prevent the owner of none,
from practicing extortion for its us
laS may he 50 conveniently done I'm
der the present monetary system o
the country. ana next by dividin,
the profits OF labor among the pro
ducers. and thus enable these produc
ers to become consumers. SO tina
thereby there may be not only EN-
ployment for all, but that such EN-
ployment shall be steady and continu
Gus.
With such views that in spirit ar,
comprehensive enough TO embrace al
the people. il is not just to the L.aho
party that they should adopt nam,
that its opponents may charge upol
them rs not only Indicative of class
but. either through ignorance or wilfu
misconstruction. claim is intended {,
limit the organization to those VIII,
employ barely their muscular forces
and snchdegree of their mental force