The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-01-30
GREENBACKs AND GOLD.
Letter From Wendell Phillps-What the Greer
back Conference Wanted.

Letter From Wendell Philllps--What the Green'
back Conference Wanted.
Mr.. Wendell Philips has addressed the follow
ing communication to the New York Herald, in
which he states the claims and achievements OF
the GreenbaCk parts as follOws
Boston, January IL, 1879.
To the Editor of the Herald:
A few days ago you published some remarks
made at the GreenbacS conference in this city.
The report was correct as far as 1t went, but i'm
perfect
Allow me to state my views little more def
nitely.
think the Greenback party, or the new finance
party, hes been thus far uniformly yictoriousand
has gained everything it has asked
l. That party demanded the reconciliation Of
silver 1t is DONE and the step is not likely to be
reversed.
2. We claimed that the greenback should not be
destroyed but reissued. The Secretary of the
Treasury, who was in his usual chronic state OF
perplexity aud bewilderment, gladly submitted 10
this ompulsOn-indeed, welcomed our victory
Thus the derided "rag"-the "dishonored rag"-is
the national currency to-day, and is likely to re-
main so.
g. We asserted that If the greenbacks were made
receivable at the Custom house and for all debts
due the government, coin and greenbacks would
be equal in ninety days, and that this was the
proper step TO be taken
For this we begged, argued and petitloned three
years ago. Then we got no attention. Now the
Secretary, without law or authorit has ordered
this step to be taken, and Congress is about to
sanction what he illegally did Without this step
resumption would be impossible, or extremely
dangerous if possible. Without this step resump-
ton would be failure When, in March, 1876, l
argued for such step before the Boston Board OF
Trade, the solomons Of that body held up their
hands in holy horror, insisting that the Govern
ment was pledged to the public credit to demand
It's customs in coin. 1t was very convenient
dodge-a plausible excufe-but one easily forg
ten the moment the Government needed the hep
Of such a measure as proposed. That pledge to
the national creditor is as binding to day as was
in March, 1876. But the men who screamed them
selves hoarse in lying talk about the greenback
as dlshonored note now Clamor that the Govern,
ment shall break its pledge to its creditors by re-
ceivlng greenbacks at the Custom house. "When
said would die bachelor" cried Benedick, II
did not think should live till were married"
"WhenI said would die hard money man"
exclaims Sherman, 81 did not think should live
to owe my salvation to greenbacks"
With these three victories behind us we now ad.
vance to the next outwork Of the enemy, In the
future, as in the past the true policy is to attack
one thing at time-t to pledge the movement to
only one claim at time. The people can attend
to only one issue at a time Every unnecessary
word In platform robs 1t Of voters by the thous.
and. The next point to attack is bank issues of
currency. Put only one line on our flag: mo
State or National Banks Of Issue" Let the Gov
eminent issue all the currency the nation uses,
This caim-that the nation shall resume its SOW
ereignty over the currency, and not share 1t, as
heretofore, with private corporations-is debated
to-day aud well received in England. All com.
mercisl nations must soon see Its importance and
all free nations Its necessity,
Let journals and Conventions discuss all points
as freely as they please-bonds or no bonds de.
monetiEatlou Of gold and Of all coins; funding the
debt or paying It in greeDbacks and all methods
ofregulating the amount Of the currency. But let
the party-lhe movement-be responsible for only
this one claim, an exclusive national currency.
When that step is gained we will rally on the
next Planted now on this one issue, we shall not
wait long for victory. But the moment that point
is gained the Republican party and John Sherman
will claim It as "thelr thunder" Let all good peo.
pie remember this, my prophecy, and when a
few years hence, they hear the loud party boasts
of what wonders they have done, and how much
we owe them, 1t will be seen prophesied truly
as to their selfconcei and adroitpretense Of being
themselves victorious, while they have only bee n
slyly stealing the measures and principles they
have all along denounced.
WENDELL PHILLIPS.