The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927 Page: 162
330 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Carrying out the work of the Grange politically was the Green-
back party, an avowed national political organization which had
in general a history similar to that of its predecessor. Like the
Grange, it arose to gain certain specific ends; and, like the Grange,
it was an ephemeral organization, dying away within a few years
after its inception. Unlike the Grange, the Greenback party was
organized for the purpose of carrying elections and possessing
offices. It was thus a real political party as contrasted with the
Grange, which taught and (in theory) practiced non-partisanship
in political affairs. Its strength was concentrated in a few states,
it is true, but its total popular vote entitles it to some consideration
as a third party, for the years covered by the campaigns of 1876-
1884 at least.
The Greenback movement is not to be considered as a political
flurry separate and distinct from other movements of the latter
part of last century. The Agrarian Crusade was the outward
evidence of a deep-flowing current of unrest among the agricul-
tural classes, and this unrest found various forms of expression,
especially during the last quarter of the century. The Granger
movement as an evidence of nation-wide discontent among the
farmers lost strength rapidly from 1874 to 1876, and in 1875-76
it was supplanted by the Greenback party. The latter then was
simply another phase of the great movement for reform which
swept through the agricultural classes of the country between
1870 and 1900. It counted among its members a greater per-
centage of farmers than of any other class of laborers; for al-
though the party originated as a means of ameliorating conditions
among laborers of the eastern states, it swept westward and south-
ward and became an organization of discontented farmers clamor-
ing for relief from conditions which the Grange had failed to
remedy. Thus the Greenback movement must be considered as
the second chapter in the story of the liberation of the farmer, and
not as an organization isolated from others immediately preceding
and following it.
Agitation in favor of an inflated currency became evident im-
mediately after the War, when various organizations announced
their opposition to any contraction of the currency. The first
attempt at organized co-operation in behalf of inflation came, as
has been intimated, from the laborers of the East; but, although162
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927, periodical, 1927; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117142/m1/182/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.