Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-08
A Democratic Greenbacker's Rea-
sous for opposing an Alliance
with the Democratic Party.

The Portland Argus having invited an
answer to the question why should
not the greenhack and democratic parties
unite p received reply from demo-
cratic greenbacker which the Argus was
not anticipating. In his reply the green
hacker says:
~ have been a member Of the democratic par
~ my self and left the party because | could not
endorse its wsvering, changing policy"
Having thus defined his antccedents and
given general reason for leaving the
democratic party, he explains still farther
why he wishes no alliance with the dem
ocratic party. He says:
will now endeavor to show why the greenback
sud democratic parties should not unite as pro-
posed by Mr.. Rust and endorsed by the editor of
the Argus.
Ia the first place, it is very characteristic of the
democratic party to be seeking an alliance with
some other party, or faction, or taking some
crooked course to get into power.
1t has always been ready TO support any candi-
date, from Horace Greeley to Bourbon demo
Graf, always ready TO sacrifice principle to the
country.
| Had the democratic party been consistent and
straightforward in the enuuciation of its priuci
piles it would have been very useful organization
10 the country and by keeping its hands clean,
might have had the ascendency of politica power,
| long before this time.
| Again, If the greenbsck party had started with
the svowed object of becoming ally of the
democratic party its lite would have been short
| indeed. Democratic greenbackers haye no incli-
| nation to 90 back to affiliate with the old demo-
cratic party, and certainly republican greenback
ers have no desire TO be caught in trap and car
ried over to the democrats
The only way to rid the country of ring rule is
TO develope new material and bring out class
of politicians II II is the object of the democratic
party TO rid the country of ing rule then reform
should begin within the party.
The platform Of the Oaio democrats is cited as
| a good exposition of the greenbsck theory. Ger
tainly some very radical changes have taken place
The democrats should have some very new sheet
| anchors so as to hold to some settled policy The
battle of the last presidential election was fought
b' the democratic party on a hard money platform.
Now democratic State convention has set a
trap to catch greenhack votes by adopting plat
form which Mr.. Rust. of the Belfast Age, claims
to be the best soft money platform he has seen.
The greenback party has we'll defined line of
principles. 1t is the earnest determination of the
party to carry these principles into effect.
II experience shall prove these principles to be
fallacy then the party will soon 90 down.
Not long since the greenback movement was
matter OF ridicule; now it is something for MOI e
serious contemplation. Suppose, las Mr. Rust of
the Belfast Age, and the editor OF the Argus
claim,) the financial theories of the greenback
and democratic parties are nearly alike, that
alliance would be very consistent, does the srgu-
ment stop here Not by any means.
Can principles of essential vitality be trusted
with safety to the keeping of tue democratic
leaders If they are bound by no fixed and dc
termlned principles Of their own they would be-
tray the principles OF any party with which they
were acting, providing it seemed to be for their
interest 10 do so,