The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1894-05-05
G~REENBACIxS OR SILVER?

cHucl Tic dDoNe gap
ton the Montana Mining Area prints
a very logical and sensible exposi-
ton of the evil referred to in the edi-
torlal pages of last weeks HERALD.
AT the outset the editor hangs out a
danger signal for those who increase
the currency Of the country simply
by the issuance of more paper to be
redeemed in gold, and has the fol-
lowing to say of greenbackers and
their methods which is soundly log
ical and true:
Next to the inyctcratc enmity of the
gold-bugs themselves, the greenbackers,
with a friendly feeling for silver, are the
most dangerous enemies to the rchabili-
tation of the white metal. They are
enemies, not in purpose but in method.
They are dangerous, not because they
oppose the coinage of silver, but because
they are willing to compromise on an
issue of grccnbacks, provided the object
i've point of an enlarged circulation is
thereby attained. But in recalling the
success of the %greenback experiment
during the late war, so far as trade and
was concerned, it is we'll to
remember the avidity with which they
were gathered in by the gold-bugs at
Il discount and redeemed at their face
value in gold, thus converting an ext
gcncy measure into a speculation. The
signs of the times point to IA similar
danger.
After showing that the issuance of
more greenbacks would only turn
the key to the financial position more
into the hands of the money kings
the writer philosophers further upon
the principles followed by third
parties and proclaims just what we
have been preaching, "the doctrine
of political Independence" in the
following we'll chosen language:
1t is "a reflection upon the intelligence
of those masses to assume that the lead
crs they have created are greater than
their creators, and that the only way to
rid the country Of corrupt men is to
desert the party to which they belong.
n sentiment strong enough to win great
bodies Of men from their political atlili-
a%tions, in sufficient numbers to effect
their purpose, is strong enough to II
troll the policies of the parties to which
they belong, dcposc an offending leader
ship and substitute therefore men i'll
touch with the sentiments of the people.
In other words, Il sentiment strong
enough to bring about needed reforms
tutsidc the dominant political parties of
he nation, IS strong enough to bring
about the sam reforms within these
parties. We have little patience with
the talk about the ''control Of party
machincry,' when it lies within the
power Of the masses in any party to re-
ad Just this machinery at their own sweet
will and dictate it. expression and pur-
pose. If they do not, they are equally
poWcrlcss to effect reforms or protect
themselves from the abuse of power
under the banner of another political
organization. As Il rule, third party
organizations. however noble their pur-
pose, succeeded through IA division of
the vote in clevating to power those
most inimical to the interests they champ
ion, The political history Of the coun-
try Is eloquent with such examples and
1876 promises a repetition Of the lesson,
unless the sober second thought of the
silver men come to their rescue.
The Area is independent in poll
ties. But its editor knows IA thing
or two of populist history, as con-
trasted with what the chief expound-
ers of that doctrine tell us, and has
the moral courage to say what he
knows. His article closes with IA
heavy weight thrust to which, it
seems to us, the populists cannot
possibly furnish "a rational answer:
While the dominant influences in the
democratic party, represented by the ad-
mlnlslratlon are against silver, and re-
publican members of the house and sen
ate from the anti-Silvcr states share in
this opposition, it is equally true that
the dominating influences in the Dopu-
list party, represented by General Weav-
er, its late candidate for president, and
other prominent leaders, as well AS the
rank and file throughout the agricultural
states, arc thoroughly welded to the
grcenback idea, which, if introduced AS
the policy of the government, would
forever eliminate the cause of silver and
retire the white metal to the background
for Il century to come. Outside the min
ing states there is not Il populist leader
who would not welcome the endorse
ment of the greenback policy of his
party, regardless of its ultimate effects
upon silver as Il money metal. At the
last silver convention in Des Moines.
prominent populists expressed the wish
that all the silver and gold in the world
was ut the bottom of the sea and that
fiat money rcigned supreme. So strong
IS the grecnback sentiment in the ranks
OF the populists, outside the silver states.
that should that party attain any con-
siderable degree of power-a power that
threatened the ultimate control of ma
tlonal atfairs-the gold-bugs would lose
no time in compromising their difference
es by endorsing the greenback policy,
thus crushing silver to !, ~fnality and
tnraN-ny rnttinIr - 80.