Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-21
THE NATIONAL PARTY.

There is a disposition among the newspa-
pers of both parties to underrate the
strength of the National Greenback party,
and TO sneer at it's attempts to control af-
fairs by nominating full legislative and Con-
gressional tickets in several of the States.
We are thoroughly convinced that this ele-
ment in our politics is 'not to be sneezed
att but will make itself heard and felt for
few years, at least, in the affairs of the ma
ton. We agree, however, that it's existence
is ephemeral-that it has no good reason
for its being. The policy of the party is
that Of all new rganizations-to make their
nominations before the conventions of the
other parties have been held, and thus COM
pei their Endorsement either by the Repub-
lican or the Democratic party. This may
not be exactly honorable, and gives them
the appearance of having greater strength
than they possess, but as everything is re-
garded as fair in war and politics, we will
not take issue with them.
The greatest power the party will be able
to exercise will be through the election of
candidates chosen through these combina-
tons. In close districts, where every vote
counts, it is sometimes expedient for the
Democrats to unite upon the National candi-
| dates, even though they may be, and often
are, at variance with the Democratic theory
| on some points. On the principle that half
loaf is better than no bread, the Democrats
| may be obliged to support men for Office
who are not such as would be chosen by
them as their standard bearer, except under
compulsion, and may have to father their
acts in the future although they
are neither Democrats in profession
nor practice. Expediency, although nee
essary on occasions, is the bane of our polit-
ical system. It is perfectly natural for men
when compelled to choose between two
evils, to take the least. And when it shall
appear that if the Democrats run a strict party
ticket Republican will be elected, they are
excusable in taking up the National candi-
dates from whom more assistance to Dem
ocratic principles can be expected than from
the Republicans.
It is quite probable that through these
i
electing a portion of their Congressional
nominees in several of the Western States
and it is not impossible that on certain ques
tons at issue these members may hold thu
balance of power. An instance in poin
may be found in the legislature of Illinois
where seven independent or ''granger" mem
bers dictated the election of United States
Senator. These seven were not elected b,
! independent voters, but through just sucl
combinations as are now being formed b,
the Nationals with the Democrats or Repub
licans, as the case may be. It is probable
that if they had run on separate ticket
supported only by their own partisans, the
never would have been heard of. Yet it s.
happened that at the critical moment the
exercised more power than the. one hundre,
Republicans or the ninety five Democrats.
It will thus De seen that the Nationals
although numerically weak, may exercise
: powerful influence in the next Congress
through comparatively small representation
, 1t therefore behooves the Democrats, befor
: uniting with them in close Congressionf
3 districts, to see that the candidates are i
full accord with the principles of Democrat,
especially on all essential points. There
really but little difference between the pri1
3 ciples of the two parties on questions
finance, and on other matters they are in a,
8 cord, but there are few in the Nation,
party who frequently go to extremes on a
S topics, and these are to be guarded agains
for we need cool-headed, temperate men
|, the national councils, in whom the poop
9 can place implicit reliance, and it will not {
. / for the Democrats to give their support
any others.