The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-28
THE GREENRAnK CONVENTION.

Whatever may be thought and said of the
few men who manipulate the Greenback party
to their own advantage bartering their votes
as one would so much merchandise, it may be
conceded that the body of that organization
is composed Of men sincere in purpose and
honest in their belief that they are in the
right. Thoroughly saturated with that one
idea, they are imperyious TO all Others and
are simple minded enough to charitably regard
men of more rational views as 'cranks." In
the eyes of crank all other men are cranky,
and he alone Is sane 1t is so with the consci-
entious members of the Greenback organiza-
made this Henny-penny of politics imagine
that the sky has fallen. Through its repre-
sentative papers and speakers it has thrown
out jeremiads without stint. The great Ameri-
can republic was the modern Jerusalem, tot
tering to its fall. Unless the belief of these
doctrinaires be accepted, and the new faith
made the cornerstone of the nation it must
inevitably crumble. The direst predictions
were freely uttered and prophets of evil
stalked through the streets, crying the
coming of day of wrath and dissolu-
ton. But the people have paid no
heed, save az they would gather about any
unusual sight along the streets. The govern
ment has gone on in a safe and honorable way
increasing in wealth, and power, and influence
The national credit has been made as solid as
granite, and its obligations have been met in
gold. The commercial prosperity Of the
country is laid on a foundation of adamant
and confidence in legitimate traffic is uni
versal Still there are few who 90 clothed
in sackcloth and with ashes on their heads
lamenting and asking the millions to turn
and be saved.
The absurdity of this most grotesque organ
ization is made plain whenever they solemnly
meet once in four years to play the farce of q
national convention the climax of which
eliminates in the reafirmation of principles
and the nomination of candidate So far as
the platform is concerned, it is about as super
fuous piece of literature as could well be
conceived. That portion which is distinct
lively ''Greenback" nobody wants, and the bal
ance is made up of political platitudes incorpo-
rated into every platform since platforms
were first devised. Then follows the work of
selecting candidate. Bids having been ad-
vertsed for and the whole country gone over
with the fine comb of diplomacy, man is
settled upon, and the solemn farce Of naming
him for the high office Of the presidency is
gone through with. Perhaps not one of the
entire party" has the faintest idea of an cleo
ton by any possible combination of circum-
stances and accident, but that does not pre-
vent the assembling of national conven-
ton and a formal and ostentatious nomina-
ton.
Such a convention is now assembling in
the city of indianapolis. Delegates have
been sent up from communities in which the
delegates constituted the rank and file of the
party. And now the anomalous condition
again obtains and the Greenback Japhet is in
search of a father. No man in chnstendom
wants the nomination, for it can be of no
possible value unless supplemented by an
other from some party of national importance.
No out-and-out Greenbacker would do none
of the party manipulators care to spoil
their only object in keeping the party
ha
found who will accept the dubious
honor If Chairman Leonard be correctly re-
ported he is of opinion that Butler is the
man, but that che will not be nominated
unless he first assures the convention that he
will accept its platform and make the race as
its candidate" What would be thought of
the Republican or Democrat who would make
such an observation in behalf of his party:
that no certain man would be nominated
unless he consent to its principles and agree
to make the race as its candidate9 Could
anything be moro absolutely puerile and
ridiculous? And yet that is exactly the feel
ing of the Greenback party Confessedly
negotiating with man outside of the party,
it is stipulated that he must accept its views,
stand on its platform. and run as its candi
date. Yet, while there is an absurdity in it
all, there is nothing that isn't business like
in the scheme so far as those who "work'
that party are concerned. Butler unques-
tionably would poll more votes by half than
any Greenbacker from Portland to Portland
He is impudent and bizarre enough to engage
the sympathy of certain element
in American politics But Butler is no
fool If he accept such nomination it would
be distinctively Butler campaign; the party