Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-11-08
THE LOST OPPORTUNITY OF A NEWS
PAPER.

During The recent campaign, which be-
gan in this State long prior to the nomna-
ton OF Mr.. Cleveland, there was made in
San Francisco one of those grave journals
tic mistakes which are damning and as
impossible Of forgiveness us they are OF
retrieval
Mistakes in journalism, of the character
of that to which We refer. invariably
result rom lack of backbone. Adhesion to
principle will anchor the courageous in
safe harbors, but barter of conviction for
partisan policy is the inyariable indication
OF moral cowardice.
The -1ha Calto,miu newspaper of San
Francisco, pronounced Democratic jour
nal that came upon the stage with promise
of conscience and courage. early in its new
existence agTayed itself against the ultra
Democracy OF the State that had sold its
birthright to a seuScleSs and c0mmunistiC
crew, bent upol the WRECK: and ruin of ma
terial interests in this State and the eleva-
lion to the United States Senate of man
whose sole qualification is that of great
wealth unscrupuiously used. Had 1t main
taiaed that position to the close, it would
hay, adhered 10 policy emitting il ana
the personality behind it. to the plaudits Of
the people and the regard of all selfre-
speeding men irrespective Of partisan bias.
Its opposition to theStockton Convention
Clique. the Examiner ring, and the Hearst
observation-disclosures conspirators, was at
one time open vigorous and admirably for
tilted 1t had upon its side reason and law.
Occupying rs it did prominent position
within the party, it was possessed of the
opportunity to WELD Il powerful influence
and to prove itself the champion of the best
interests Of the State.
That such an opportunity should have
been allowed to escape il awakened slupcu-
dous amazameut 1t did let il slip. Il
made a mistake, and it had the cowaflic,
to adhere to 1t. 1t knew its ground, and al
the pitfalls dug for it. and yet it stumbled
Any man may make mistake" said
Cicero none but fool will stick to H.
The An stuck to it, When the Storktor
Convention snubbcd it, dclied lis warn
inEs and scofFed at its advice. it came
down from its pedestal and took
It's cruel from the hands of Buck
ley and Greenhouse with humili-
atine ohei=ance that was disgusting, and
when the time came for the nomination OF
local and legislative officers in San Fran
cisco il stumbled against the same stone
again 10 do which is Il proverbial dis
grace Read out of the party, its chief de.
caPitated by a Ser,ie Governor, itscounsels
laughed to scorn, it still cringed At the feet
ot the party bosses. and kissed the robes o
the very men who had been bought anj
sold To work its ruin.
Yesterday it confessed Is shame in th.s,
remarkable lines
There must be Il reason why state which
Only two year, back a; the last election held
gave Democratic majority Of over 2s.ec1 and
wheeled many Republican counties into the
Democratic line, q STATE which elected solid
Democratic delegation 10 Congress shotld nov
give The Republicans large majority. elect fouI
or five Republican Congressman and a Repulll
can Legislature, and surrender not only coun-
ties which bad before gone Republican. but
also counties hitherto Democratic into The hand,
OF the Republicans. The single instance OF
Old Sonoma, never before lost to the pemuc.
rary in its representation is significant and hn-
initiating. Ii Is in every sense n notifying
State defeat. and responsibility rests upon
those in charge OF the Democratic party. It,
managers aud leaders. upon those IN high Offices
and commanding positions and the Democracy
of the state viii hold these men. these official,
to this responsibility. Eut the subject is not
one OF pleasure stin il is duty to note it.
And the tia viii perform that duty without fear
and with due consideration for all involved.
Too late The opportunity let slip from
between its trembling fingers. is gone for
ever It's days of usefulness and influence
have departed from IT, 1t may be swift "a
atone for error, Us it suggests but il cannot
retrieve its lost opportunity. d" Error is
worse than ignorance and here is an in
stance where knowledge cut short the
excuse of ignorance, and omission to do
what was necessary scaled commission Ia
a blank of danger"
The Alta now declares that il will do
its duty without fear Its opportunity to
make duty the sovereign Of power has gone.
Let il go crop sustenance from the political
graves of George Hearst and D. NJ. Delmas
let it draw strength, if il may, from the
consultations of Wallace and the philoSo-
ply of Greathouse. 1t will learn what
the reason IS why the State went
back upon the Democracy 1t may learn,
If it will, why the thinking Granger has