Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-08-07
THEN AND NOW.

for the honorable position Of Governor of
this State. In bis speech accepting the
nomination be uttered these memorable
words: THE Republican party needs
no new departure 1T stands upon its
history. 1t has written no chapter that
it desires to tear out. Every page is en-
blazoned with glory. Let the record
stand the party will stand by the rec
ord" These words referred to the atti-
tude Of the Democratic party, which, in
its lust for power had pronounced form
al surrender Of the principles which had
been the groundwork Of its political faith
for years, and maintained its organization
only to give its faithful adherents another
chance at the spoils of Office. Another
year showed more complete surrender.
Despairing Of success under its old name,
the party surrendered its organization al
so, and sought to win, under the lead Of
Liberal Republicans, !" what the people
dare not trust to them as Democrats.
The words Of Newton Booth found an
echo in every Republican breast. And
with this declaration the Republicans Of
! California went forth to victory. Are
those words less true now than then
/ Has the Republican party, which, in that
ten years of its power had written no page
Of history it would care to see erased, be-
come so corrupt that its friends would
rejoice to see it borne to the earth, while
the principles Of its enemies become par
amount in the government? Such would
aeem to BE the case, If we are to Judge by
the attitude Of Mr.. Booth and several of
his associates in that election, But trace
the record back and Republicans can see
no reason to agree with the Senator. It
we are to judge by that, the only corrup-
! ti0n which :his State has witnessed Is
that growing out Of the Senatorial election
4 following Mr.. Booths self-expatriation
FROM the Republican party. Then, if the
charges Of Gorham are true-and he says
he will prove their truth If Mr.. Booth de-
nies them, which he has not yet dared to
do-the offices Of the State were peddled
about the streets to influence the Senator
ial contest. Whatever Of corruption and
mismanagcment California has to com
plain Of, in State affairs, must be due to
the maladministration Of Booth anc his
co rerormers. There are none others on
whom to fix the responsibility.
The Republican party stands today as
| the representative Of the same principles
/ for which Mr.. Booth spoke boldly, four
years ago. Its aims are the aims Of just
ice and freedom and in pursuit Of these,
it does not need to defend its record in the
past. Grumblers and lault-fnders can
/ stand of and point out evils which no
party could avert by legislation, but they
can offer no solution Of the vexed question
which does not include a surrender Of
1 right, such as no people could honorably
submit to. That tho record Of the Re-
/ publican party is free from error, or that
unworthy men have assumed the virtues
OF fRepuhlicanism for the accom- mplishment
/
claim. They who control the movements
Of the party are but human and humanity
is prone to err. But contrast the insigni-
fcant mistakes Of Repub!icanism during
its fifteen years Of power with what we
may expect if the Democracy is restored
to unlimited sway. The objects sought
are being dimly limncd forth since the
Republican defeats at the East, through
the policy Of the knowing ones OF the
party, is to keep the c'oycn foot hidden
until the Presidential cnmpaign Of 1876 is
at an end. Let them once obtain power,
and their "new departure" move, which
it was vainly hoped would provide ha-
ven Of rest to some Of its weary, will be
as completely lost to sight, as if it could
only apply to the antipodes. 1t now re-
mains for Republicans, Of all classes, to
ask themselves If they are willing to sur
render up and exchange the Republican
party and its record for the Democratic
party. And the election of VIM. Irwin
and the Democratic State and Congress
sional tickets will be construed urjustly,
perhaps, as an Indication that California
Republicans are willing to do so.
All who are opposed to the restoration
o. Democratic supremacy should unite on
one ticket, for it stands to reason that a
division of the vote insures a triumph for
/ the Democracy. There can be no ques-
ton bat the ticket which should command
! these votes is the one headed by Mr..
Phelps that Bidwell and his colleagues
will be distanood in the race. Any new
party to command success, must contain
within itself elements of strength in the
form Of good leaders, or principles calcu-
lated to commend the party to popular
favor. Neither Of these does the Iade-
/ pendent party contain. The leaders Of
that organization made a sad mistake
when they supposed that plurality Of
the citizens of California would remain
silent when questions Of great national
moment were under discussion. In cleo
tions having only local significance,
men swerve from party allegiance, but
when State contest is regarded as the
prelude to one Of national significance, all
like to have the opportunity Of having
their opinions known. Another mistake
was the nomination Of Bidwoll for Gov
sraor. The party claiming to be opposed
to manopoly, stulties itself when it plaees
a leading monopolist as its champion.
Upon tho questions which brought the
new party into existence, the declarations
Of principle of the three parties are in all
respects alike, and each undoubtedly re-
fleets the sentiments of minority of its
party. 1t is the hight of folly for Repub-
lcsns to throw away their votas hv al