Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-17
OUR VISITORS AND OUR coHDBCr TO.
WARD THEM.

A great deal Of speculation has been in
dalged in shout the number of strangers
the session of the Knights Templars' Con-
olave will draw TO San Francisco next week.
The figures have not By any been placed at
less than G, 000 while some of the commit
tee-men put the estimate as high SIS Is, 600.
Three months ago it was confidently fixed
at 25,000 Il must be evident to any one
who has watched the passenger lists that
most of these calculations were excessive.
1t is not probable that Che Knights will
muster ovsr 8. eco swords all told. OF these
possibly 1900 will be from abroad, and
this is placing the estimate high. As many
more members Of Knights families proba-
bly, accompany them. snd If we include
1900 other strangers as among the guests,
we have 800 visitors. This is a large
number of people to come 90 far for 8 spe-
oial purpose, and the Importance OF such
gathering in the metropolis of the State is
not to be gainsaid. But it is just as well
not to exaggerate the facts, for no good can
come from it. The indications are that
these guests Will be entertained in San
Francisco in spirit OF the broadcast hospi-
tality, and in 8 manner highly creditable
to the State and COMFORTING with the char
acteT OF the visitors, and with honor TO the
Order they represent. These people will re-
main with Us about fortnight, hat some will
have spent on their departure two months
In the State. Those who came early and
remain late will have the better iopportu-
mites for judging of the State and it's de-
STABILITY SIS place for residence. II our
people are discreet, these guests will go
away possessed OF information that will go
far toward placing this section of the
Union In trus light before the people of
the East. As rule the men visiting with
US are an observant, practical class. The
most of them are business and professional
men, and the majority are those who are
settled in life. From these we do not ex.
pect to gain many. if any, recruits for the
population of California. The Importance
OF their receiving correct impression of
the State is therefore to be found
In the influence they will exercise upon the
general Judgment at the great E,st among
$4,000. 600 of people. OF course, they are
very few among SO msny, but even Lit.
tie leaven is potent influence when it is
of the right kind. The impressions these
visitors shall receive of US depends very
largely upon our own behavior. We will
miss the mark sadly if we indulge ia
boasting. The visitors are not of the kind
who are to be deceived by loud talk, nor
will they 30 led to consider this a de-
sirable State because of few great natural
curiosities. We need, then, to be frank
and truthful We must conceal none Of
our defects, seek to minimize none of our
disadvantages, nor to exaggerate anyof our
rightful claims Of excellence Our Eastern
friends come from section to which Cali.
foruia is comparatively of very small i'm
portance. They know that the State is
young that its systems Of agriculture and
industry sre as yet in the green, that our
population is small, our wealth bat mod
est. and that our geographical situation
places US at exceedingly great distance
from the markets of the world. To en-
large upon our possibilities will but dis
close our present weakness. We need a
very large immigration-it is our greatest
need, and we should frankly tell them SO.
We are bidding for people to come here and
make homes, and we must have the
boldness to say to our guests that
we want only such classes as will
give them to ua. We have merchants and
professional men in plenty we desire the
agricultural and self-helpful classes, and it
will be easy to point ont the advantages
the State offers for all such. The proiucts
Of our soil VIC should exhibit 20 them, but
we must be careful not to render thsm dis
trustful of our intelligence snd honesty By
boasting Of their unapproachable superb
ority over all others. These people have