The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-05-20
The Nationals.
j. X. JOHNSTON,
Chairman of City Com,

The recent state conventions of the
National Greenback party show beyond
the shadow of doubt that, in the presi-
Dental contest in November next, the
fatists will be unheard of. and that what
they do as party need cause no worri-
ment whatever to the other parties. The
history of political parties is that no party
founded on class legislation, or having fol
its foundation, transient issues, can
become permanency in American poll
tics. The Know Nothings," wings.
''FederaIisss." aud all other parties found
ed in the interest of certain class or for
special purpose, were short lived and
never survived the emergency which gave
them existence, The National Greenback
party was the outgrowth of the labor
troubles of 1877, and the cause being
removed by the present stare of business,
the party which sought to achieve national
success on a special issue. has passed away
with the emergency. 1t is also
q notable feature in new parties.
that the most conspicuous leaders are men
who have lost their influence or have fail
ed to receive recognition from the old par
ties. These jealous defenders of the new
cause. are generally of the demagogicaI
sort, whose principles are skin deep and
who on the slightest pretext, are ready to
join hands with any body of men willing 60
give them a prominence to which they are
not entitled, and which they could never
obtain in the older organizations. There
are thousands, however, of the masses,
who go into such movements honestly, and
are led to believe and for time do be-
lieve that their interests are TO be best
subserved in taking sides with new issues.
1t was SO with tie Know Nothings. with
the Federalists and Wings and other par
ties founded % special, ideas. but it was
only for time that success drowned their
efforts. 1t was SO with the National Green
hackers, and thousands of the honest
voters went into the new movement &C
tually believing that they were to
be Immediately enriched if the
party but succeeded. But the il
fusion has b cen dispelled, and
now. seeing their mistake. recognizing the
fast that they have been used not to fur
Their their best interests but for the benefit
OF lot of inscriptions leaders, they are
returning to their original parties and thus
has the National-Greenback party passed
out of existence. OF course there will be
some pretense of keeping up appearances,
and in some localities show of doing
something will be affected. but the great
mass OF the party. those who went into it
honestly and were deceived, have had
enough of the deception and refuse to be
led By the proselytes who seek to use
them for a purpose, The presidential
contest now at hand will present two alter
natives for the people-one TO aid the sue
cess of the Republican party and continue |
In power the most corrupt and unprinci- |
pied set of men who ever disgraced the |
government; men who use their positions /
for mercenary purposes; or to join with |
the Democracy TO overthrow the corrupt
Republican party and elect Democratic
president. thereby bringing peace to the
whole country. and inaugurating
an era of prosperity all over the country
north, east, south and west. The Demo
cratic party is essentially the party of the
people and is built on the broad founda
ton of universal liberty and equal rights
% all. high, low, rich or poor. 1t has for
Is precepts the invulnerable teachings Of
Washington, Jefferson and Douglass. and
recognizes ell men on their merits. 1t is
The party by and for the people, and is the
true exponent of the vital principle
greatest good to the greatest number" It
has outlived all other parties, and will
continue to be the party of the people II
ong after the other parties have ceased 7
10 have an existence. The Democratic Is
party has decidedly the best chance to
succeed and will. unless the Cincinnati
commits most grievous blan-
der, which is not at all likely. The
Nationals, and all others who are anxious i
10 help the Democracy 70 relieve the peo- {
Pile of the onerous burdens imposed by the il
Republican party, are invited to join with
the Democratic party and assist in secur- :
ing the victory which the Democracy is
certain 20 achieve. s