New-York tribune., 1879-02-27
mn GRrEyB4ChERS - CONGHESH.

liiE tNI- ~ - n I-I'A' ~ tC-'''''-''''
The address issued 10y the Grocnbaci MEM
bcrs of the next House shows that the Demo
cratic party has not yet escaped flOm Its
financial ScyIla and CharybdiS. The Green
back committee publicly declare that enough
"members holding their views have been
"clcctcd TO hold the balance of power" and
claim, in fact, that twenty-One members are
pledged to act with them in the organization
Of the House. If this claim is wcl-f0unded-
and 10 reason appears for doubling It's cor
rcctncss-thc Democrats can secure the organ
ization in their interest only by making com
mon cause with the Greenback men. Some
months ago. THE TRIBUNE pointed out
that this wOud probably prove 10 be
the real situation. Democrats very Wig
orously rejected and deuded the idea
that they would be forced TO ask help from
the new party, or to accept defeat. They per
sisted in claiming 149 members Of the next
House As straight Democrats" contrary to
all trustworthy information as to the opinions
of tlIe newly elected men, or their positions in
the recent canvass. But it now appealS that
the Democrats, as usual, accepted their own
Jealous hopes as positive facts. Instead of the
overwhelming majority which it has i'll the
expiring House, that party was reduced to a
minority by the elections of last Fail. 1t can
elect Speaker and control the shaping Of com
,nittees. if at all, only by submitting to the
dlctation of faction composed in pant OF
former Rcpublicans and wholly OF men who
insist that both Of the great parties are un-
worthy OF confidence and ought to be de-
stIoyed.
The natural result is an alliance which.
under the circumstances would be virtual
surrender on the part of the Democrats.
Probably three -fourths of the Democratic
members are heartily in sympathy with the
objects of the new party. and differ from it
ONLY because they believe that the old Demo
cratic organization is the best and most cffec-
tIyc agency for the accomplishment Of those
objects They ask with reason, If the DEM
"ocratic party is not i'll favor Of unlimited
paper money, hostile to National banks,
"aud ready TO break down the public
"credit and plumber bondholdcrs without
"mercy, what party is? Give that party fun
"power, and all these things shall be done,
land more also Nobody can deny that this
claim is justified by the whole course of the
Democratic party But the sOftmoney and
rppudiating Democrats, if forced to choose
between surrender as to present methods or
agencies and defeat, will naturally prefer
union with the Greeuback men. They will
cherish the hope that after the money qucs-
ton has been put out of the way by the pro-
grcSS Of events, or by Republican fidelity, the
Democratic party will then permanently gain
the Grcenback men TO whom 1t may now
submit The same reasoning will be used to
quiet the hostility OF hard-mOney Democrats
They will be told that the contemplated ALI
ance will be but temporary, and will help the
Democratic party in the end. because the
mone- question must speedily be settled.
The Republican patty desires to serve no.
tice upon all parties con9Jned that 1t hopes
the proposed alliance Will be made. For 1t
knows that the money question viii not be
settled as long as there remains a war debt
contracted for the suppression of a Demo-
cratic rebellion, and it has faith that the peo-
Die of the United States will maintain their
honor, and tho honor of those who died that
the Nation might live.
The Grcenback address shows that the
money question viii last as long as the wan
debt lasts. For it assals the payment OF IN
tcrcst 10 those who have trusted the Govern
ment; it assails the banks which have con-
tributcd so powerfully to uphold the National
credit and 1t proposes to destroy the value
of thr legal-tender note by removing all re-
stric ions as to the volume to be issued. ia
these vital respects. the Grccnback party pro-
poses direct repudiation of solemn pledges of
the Government, and the Republican party
has full faith that the people will keep those