The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-12-19
ADDRESS
OF THE
NATIONAL GREENBACK EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
PEOPLE of the COUNTRY
Read 81 Ponder!
WAsHlNGToE, D. c., Dec. 2, 1873:
OF THE

Union, address you as the people of one
Nation animated with like hopes, desires,
purposes and proper ambition, and suffer-
ing alike the dire effects Of cause that
reaches all parts of our common country,
depressing all productive industries, and
paralyzing all legitimate commerce and
enterprise. Every section of this our COM
mon country would be alike benefcially |
affected by the adoption and enforcement
of the economic principles on which the
National party is founded to establish the
only just rule for the government OF civ
ilized people, viz: That each individual
member of society shall retain and enjoy
the fruits of his own toll unimpaired by
unjust and unequal class legislation, we
earnestly and fraternally call your atten-
tion to the following facts:
/. The National Party, as q factor in
national polIticts, dates its organization
from the nomination at indianapolis, on
the 18th of May, 1876, of that noblest of
patriots and philanthropists, Hon. Peter
Cooper, as its candidate for the Presidency.
In November of ,ha. year, 1876, it polled
for him $3.50 votes.
2. The National Party, continuing the
process of organization, in two years in
creased its votes to 100000.
3. This great increase in the National
vote is unprecedented in the history Of
political parties, but it falls short of the
real strength Of the principles advocated
by the National party, or of the hold they
have already taken upon the popular mind
and heart. We do not Include the votes
where, as in Georgia and other States,
there was no National nomination, but the
contest was between Republican or Demo
cratic nominees and Independent candi-
dates, each contending that he was the best
and truest representative of the principles
of the National party. If that vote was
included in this estimate, II would swell
the present strength Of the National party
from million and half to two million
votes. Can any doubt exist that a party
which has developed such strength and
growth in the past two years, can, in the
next two-that is to say, in 1S80-so per-
feet its organization as to elect the next
President? With majorities in Congress
and in nearly all the State Legislatures
whom the Money Power con not buy or in
timidate, and who can be relied on to leg
islate for the benefit of the whole people,
and ne the servants Of a European Grand
Council Of International Finance" then
will the iron hand of oppression laid upon
the people by the "Money Power" loosen
its grasp, labor will be itly and proftably
employed, liberty and justice will be re-
established, and peace, prosperity and hap
piness return to bless the homes of all the
people.
4. We warn you. our countrymen, that
your Republican Government, which
should be dear to every American heart
is in danger from the combination known
as the "Money Power" to whom Congress
has transferred the trust confded to it by
the Constitution. We need cite only two
instances Of disregard for the laws and Of
the will of the people: First-The exist
ing laws for the protection of labor are
disregarded and annulled by the Execu.
tive authorities. Second-The combina
tion of banks, speaking through the Clear
ing. house Association of New York City
are emboldened to proclaim to the worlt
that the laws which you have established
through your organized National Govern
ment, decreeing the silver dollar to be
lawful money, shall not be enforced; tha
they will not obey them and so far as il
their power they will prevent others ren
dering due obedience to them. If thes
banks are permitted to annul this law
then they can in like manner annul an
other law Of the laud that may not sui
their wishes, and the result follows tina
you will be governed by the meanest an
most hesr,less Of all oligarchies-a money
ed aristocrucy. This action of these con
spirators against the laws of the land an
the happiness OF mankind, shonld at ono
determine you to unite with the Natiora
party, which is organized to protect th
people against the encroachments of thi
money Power" that cares not hing for th
ruin of all things else, 30 long as it ma
fatten upon the wreck of industry. TIL
banks are themselves the creatures of th
law, il is not becoming that the creature
should say to the creator: "Thy wi
shall not be done" The power for evil {
these creatures Of the law, which have thr
assumed to break and annul the law, mu
he crushed. You can never reach an
control it through either the Republica
or the Democratic party organization
The leading and controlling powers in bot
are in allience with and fostering this dal
gerous class, who are theatening the life
the nation by annulling the lava of its or
alton. .
5 The Republican party is in power
the Nation, and the Money Power hi
chosen IL for that reason as the par
through which to make its contest with Il
people upon the issues now pending, at IL
same time holding the leaders of the Den
ocratic party willing allies. The contes
therefore is not between the Republics
and Democratic parties--it is between Il
Mnoey Power and the people, between Il
bank bills based upon uniaxed bonds al
Government legal.tender currency-al
the people have no choice Whatever of ev
securing their emancipation from indu
trial ihraldom, either through the par
the Money Pouer-the Republic
pariy-or its ally, the Democratic part
That insidious power is at this nome
seeking to array the people in a wick