The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-04-03
THE GREENBACK PARTY.
COmmittee-The Lessons Of the Elect
ion of Speaker.

Another Address From the Executive |
COmmittee-The Lessons Of the Elect
ion of Speaker.
The National executive committee of the |
National Greenback party has issued an
other address to the people of the United |
States as follows:
To the People of the United States:
In the organization of the Forty sixth
Congress an opportunity has been offered
by which the sincerity of those members
who profess to advocate the principles
mentained by the National Greenback par
ty was tested. The Hon. James A. Gar
field was the nominee of the Republicans
for Speaker of the house Of representatives,
and the Hon Samuel J. Randall of the
Democracy. The nom ination of both has
been regarded as certain for months past,
although to Mr.. Randall a strong feeling
of opposition was manifested. In the con-
test Mr.. Garfield and Mr.. Randall occu.
pied common ground as the representatives.
of the power of the national banks and the
contractionists-the first as the standard
bearer of the Republican party, which is
their avowed and open advocate, and the
other recognized as the representative of
bank currency wing of the Democracy.
The power of the speaker of the house
of representatives to control or retard leg
islation is nearly irresistible. The elect
ion of either the Democratic or Republican
candidate was admitted by friends of cur
rency reform to be barrier to legislation
in the interests of the people for the next
two years. Many of the members, both
Democrats and Republicans, were elected
upon the plea that they were better green
back men than the National candidates BY
whom they were opposed, and upon the
further plea that the principles of the
Nationdl Greenback party could be best
promoted within the old party organiza.
toni The National-Greenback members
elect, determiL ed to mentainstheir organi-
zation, but in the hope that the profession
of avowed friends to the cause within the
old party lines, were sincerely made, offer
ed to cooperate with all so protesting
Greenback principles, irrespective of par
ty, in the election of speaker, demand.
ing that the candidate be one recognised
by the country as fully committed to the
policy.
The issue was fairly presented-featly
to party organization in opposition to
principle on the one side, hope for the
suffering people on the other. The decis.
ion of that issue has been made; caucus
decree in opposition to vital principle has
been enforced bp the party whip; hope for
! financial relief wishin the old party lines
extinguished; the citizens of nearly one
half Of the union declared ineligible for
prominent Office, and the Hon. Samuel i.
Randall, the representative of the Bour.
bon bank currency of the Democracy,
elected speaker of the house of representa-
tives.
The National Greenback party of the
country has in several instances, been mis-
led by its nominees, and by others who OBJ
tanned Its support; but fifteen of the mem
bers elect have remained true to the spirit
and letter of their pledges to the people.
About their position there can be no mis-
take; they have maintained their organiza-
tion and their principles, and their vote
for speaker was cast for Hon. Hendrick B.
Wright, one of their own number
Protesting friends within the old party
lines are only protesting friends; their
actions and their votes are under the con-
troll of the party machinery of hostile or
CARNATIONS.
The action of the house of representatives.
in its organization has its counterpart in
the senate in the selection of Senator Bay
ard, of Delaware, a consistent, determined
and out spoken opponent of the principles
of the National-Greenback party, as chair
man of the finance committee.
The organization Of the present congress
must render it manifest to the most un :
willing partisan the principles of the
National Greenback party can only be es-
tablished through the instrumentality of
that party. In the organization of thehouse
the fact was also made manifest that the
Democratic party has virtually decla red
ineligible for prominent office citizens Of
the southern states.
Hope of financial relief within the old
party lines is not possible, and it Ia not
possible through a new organization to
find party which shall blot out sectional
differences, and which shall have truly
national existence, recognizing no north
no south, no east, no west, but a union of
all the people of all the states
The duty of the Natinnal Greenback
party is evident.,I must seek the co-oppora.
tion and aid of all the friends of the prin :
ciples it advocates, but it must maintain its
party organization in tact. In the organ
ization of the present congress they are
taught the lesson that offered CO.
operation and aid from either of the old
parties, however plausibly presented, is
very frequently but snare to betray them
into the ranks and organization of the en-.
emies. 1t can attain success, but to do 80
its action must be bold, Independents, ag-
gressive and uncompromising.
To succeed organized effort is necessary,
and organization in every locality should
be at once inaugurated or streng gthened. A
uniform effort must be made to effect a
common purpose. The financial question
is the great issue before the American peo-
pie, and it must be fairly met sooner or
later. The national banks and the money
oligarchy control the organization and ma
chinery of both the Republican and Dem.
craiif. xiiaa nannt;A..4ix.e< E.