Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-23

which were calculated to destroy the moral
force OF the citizens organization by Great
ing the belief that no effective remedies
were contemplated by It's leaders.
Whether or not any such timidity infiu-
enced the policy of the committee, the re-
suits of such policy were certain to be
bad. The facts have proved the business
of this diagnosis Of the case. The Kear-
neyites, relieved from the lively fears which
the initial action of the Citizens Union
engendered in them, and no longer believ-
ing that they had anything more to dread
than the kind of circumstances and the
abortive prosecutions for which they enter
tain so sovereign contempt, have thought
it unnecessary to pretend any further show
of respect for an authority which seems
so insubstantial, and have returned to
their insolent and menacing agitation
with renewed energy. The truth must
be pointed out that up to the present
time the Citizens Protective Union
has been coe, ct prGterea ndtj-a
voice, and nothing more. It an
nounced itself in kind of proclamation,
published anonymously, and its initial
utterances forecast an energy and decision
of purpose which no subsequent occur
renee has borne out. Its apparent vacilla-
ton and over caution have since that time
been producing steady Generalization in
the elements to which alone it could look
for support. Its secrecy and mystery only
served to sharpen the suspicious OF weak
ness which the little that was made known
concerning its actual proceedings had
aroused, and though the statement was
boastingly made in the papers that twenty
thousand names had been signed to its
rolls, the fact that nobody knew anything
of its real strength was more and more
apparent Under such circumstances
the suggestion of formal negotiations
with the malignant disturbers of the
public peace was sure to be regarded as
an acknowledgment of weakness. This
ought to have been foreseen, but it was
not, and SO the proceedings Numbered on
in the dark, accompanied by oracular
utterances by the papers which were in
spired by the negotiators, until the general
perplexity and bewilderment were dissi-
pated by the very plain and ineligible
declarations of the Sand Letters on Sun
day. 1t was then seen that the whole
experiment had fallen to the ground, and
that the Citizens Protective Union had,
in rejecting the advice of clearer heads
than their own, entangled themselves in
an equally ridiculous and vexatious snare.
The truth is, that the method of settle
ment attempted was utterly impracticable
from the very nature of the case, and that
it ought not to have been thought of for a
moment The situation was one which de-
manded the most prompt and resolute and
energetic action on the part of the defend
ers OF law and order, and nothing else than
the determination to put such policy in
effect could have justified or made intellgi-
bic their organization. 1t was above all
necessary that their ability to carry out
their programme should be made plain to
the meanest comprehension, yet it is clear
that absolutely no demonstration of
strength has been made up to this moment
/ by the Citizens Union. It is to be re-
GREETED, and it cannot be ignored, that the
journalistic conditions in San Francisco
have for long time been hostile to the
best interests CT the public. Kearneyism
could never have become the menace to
society which it is to-day, but for the ex-
istence among the journals of that city of
mean jealousy and narrow rivalry, which
caused them to avail themselves alternately
of Kearney and his mob following for
the purpose of injuring one another, and
in utter disregard of the damage their
course was infiicting upon the ma
terial interests of the community. Nor
has this base and vicious spirit been
exercised yet, but it is shown in
the prevailing tendency to take oppo-
site sides on even the most vital questions,
not from conviction, but in order to en-
phasize mutual antagonisms. While the
journalistic situation undoubtedly compli-
Gates the prevailing difficulties, however,
it does not affect the responsibilities which