Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1874 — The Independent Party. [ARTICLE]

The Independent Party.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties repudiate the idea that there is an Independent party in the field, yet while they steadily ignore its existence, there is something in the political atmosphere that gives them great uneasiness. They know that never in the political history of this country have the people manifested such impatience at the bidding of the old organizations; and that there is a deep and well defined mis trust of both the old parties, that has pro dueed a spontaneous call for reform and that in response to that call the Independent party lias been started. Like all other political parlies the Independent party has been born ot necessity. The laboring masses saw that there must be something done to stay the tide of corruption which was gradually' undermining the government and reducing the laborer to the condition of serfs. There was a line of distinction between the capital and and labor of the country which was wrowing more and more distinct. The rich were growing richer; and the poor were growing poorer. Wealth was controlling the country, from the election precinct to the hulls of Congress, and the Executive chair. Beyond the power to vote foe just such men as capital had nominated in botl» the old parties, the voter had no rights which the mem eyed power seemed bound txe respect. These facts were scan, and appreciated by the thinking, men among the laboring masses, and a party lhat claimed to be represented by those who were identified with their interest was the want of the hour, and the Independent party was started. 'Shat it has not achieved success and elected a majority of the Representatives in our Legislature is- no cause of disappointment, sos the Independent party was only four months old when it met the trained and disciplined cohorts of the old parties at the pells on the 13&h of October; but their success has been such as to show the oki parties that in 1876 they will have to contend with a foe that knows not how to yield ; that success will as surely perch upon t e Independent banner as that the pet)pie know that they’ must triumph over organized corruption and capital, or political liberty in this country will exist only in name.— Kentiand Press.