The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-12-14
WENDELL PHILLIPS,
he talks to a Reporter about Poll
tics and party matters-Thc
State of Greenbackism in Mas
sachusetts.

Office of Weddell House. The good
natured old gentleman led the way to
tho parlor, took Il seat, and at once
put himself into position for a short
talk.
"What do you think of the late
elections?' was the reporters first
question.
GAS a Greenbacker, | sec nothing
to discourage our ranks. The party
has more than trippled its vote during
tile last campaign. l am no judge OF!
the meaning of elections outside Of
New England, but in New England
tho victory for the Republican party
is only apparent. Apparently they
have had a very decided victory, bnt
when you come to analyze it you will
find it surface ice, so thin that it wont
bear walking on. Ifthe leading Re-
publicaDs alter the policy of the par
ty from any idea that the late cleo
tons justify any change in pa1t.y lines,
they will find themselves much mis-
taken. For instance, if Blaine, Couk-
ling, or any other man is so much
encouraged by the late result that
they think they can afford to dispense
with
GRANT AS A CANDIDATE
And carry the country without him,
they will be sadly disappointed, I'M
less affairs should materially change
within the next twelve months. The
South, bidding for the support of the
West by advocating soft money, they
will surely name the next President,
unless their young madcaps let the
cat out of the bag too soon. My rea
sons for this are as follows: Take
Massachusetts for instance. There
was really no Republican victory
there at all. The lines were not drawn
on any issues that were distinctly
Republican. If Blaine had gone
through Massachusetts, AS he did
through Pennsy lvania, making bloody
shirt speeches, he would have been
laughed at by Iris audiences and ridi-
culed by the press.
THE ONLY ISSUES
That divided Massachusetts were the
money question and the hatred felt
for Butler by the money kings. Many
man who aided that victory did it
to beat Butler-not to support the
Republicans. There are men who
would have drawn their checks cheer
fully for S25, 900 to whip Butler, who
wouldn't have given $4,000 for any
mere Republican issue. What be-
tween the popularity of Batter and
tho strength of the Greenhack idea
he, although defeated, got 20, 900 more
votes than elected Governor Rice
last year. When you analyze the
state of the Republican party in Mas
eachusetts, take for instance the Es-
sex District, so overwhelmingly Re-
publican that aobody doubted, DR..
1oring's election, yet the Greenback-
srs nominated young lawyer Of only
local fame, and he lacked but forty
Two votes of carrying the district
over Loring. That certainly is not
Republican victory. Massachusetts
has = body iu the State called the
Councillors, thirteen in number. This
ls composed usually of men of age
and wealth, aud men who have for.
merly held distinguished Offices. The
Greenbackers nominated a young
plasterer for this office, and no was
elected over his Weather opponent
By about thirteen thousand majority.
When this state of things is to be
found inside the State the Republican
victory is only apparent. With prop
or organization the Greenback party,
with Butler at the head of it, is able
70 coptrol the State. | think that
II KEARNEY HAD NOT COME
Into tho State Butler would have been
elected. There never can be more
than two great parties; the third
party is only temporary expedient'
II the Republican party had met the
Greenback need and demand half
way, it could, on the Southern ques.
ton and finance, have built a power
that would have held the country for
the next twenty years. The real
issue is whether banks shall own and
rule us by regulating the currency,
or whether the Nation shall resume
il sovereignty and control the cur
rsncy. England is almost as much
agitated BY the question as we are.
All free commercial nations are nee
sssarily drawn up to this critical is
sue. 1t can't be evaded, and the
party that assumes its leadership will
inevitably have a very controlling
iaauence ia the affairs of the nation.
Nothing but
, :" THE SOUTHERN QUESTION
Can in any degree compete with it..
- Republican party was mad when
'Spped the Southern question from
S ~ Al and the finance question
."" m ,He ,sX,her, and stood before the
; ;s.ans: . w,ospo apology for its ex-
istence exceptAaurra and the iuheri.
t1nce Of a great n,ue, which it dis.
aa'"What do you think ,f tho n,oa
poets ofyour party after resS.." nt; p,' 81
Resumption will make ns a;wsr.
enoe at all with the Greenback pa,., '
1t is . living issue, not formed on DIS
content or personal ambition. The
Republican party has promised that
resumption will surely produce pros
psrity. We shall hold them to their
pledge, and if ninety days don't show
then, fifty per cent. better 1t will be
the third false prophecy with which
they have deluded the country"
MWhat forecasts Of the Presidep-
tlal prospects do you get9"
ft'Tha South could easily control
ths.matter if she would not let the
eat ont Of the bag. If she could keen
1ae nl0nc n horsalf i ,,arll l. /,