Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-04-05
|s,nsthias OF California Politics.

Tho best Office Democratic journal
uan do to Its party is to counsel it in
Ne line Of unity and consequent success.
II California, to notable degree, the
Democratic party has suffered from dis.
thnsions. In that memorable year
which ushered in the war both Douglas
md Breckenridge ran very nearly even
With Mr.. Lincoln in this State. Ii the
two factions had been combined in Cali
1ognia in 1860 Mr.. Lincoln would simply
hAve found himself showed in under o
Democratic majority Of 80. .264. But
1hey were not united; and, as result,
HI. Lincoln received tho electoral vote
~ the Golden State because he had a
lurality Of III votes over Stephen A.
Douglas. who only succeeded in leading
1 A4esckinridge. the other Democratic
candidate for President, by some four
Aousand votes. One of the most
Warming characteristics Of the Demo.
ctatic party 10 that it is ready, whenever
a feels like it, to start regular Kill
Kenny fight in its own ranks. Provi-
oonee, which tempers the wind to the
sAem lamb, has so arranged matters in
1his golden land that the Republican
party also very frequently shares this
generous infrmity of kicking over the
6ocket just about the time it is milkcd
fall. Thus, when Gorbam, in 1867, had
snccesded in laying out Bidwell in the
Subernatorial race, your honest Repub-
lioan bucked and declined to vote for
Coolls George, with the result of the trl.
uuphant election of Governor Haight.
The California voter, however, main
tained his traditional reputation as
political high kicker by electing Booth
over Haight at the next gubernatorial
slection. The political history of this
commonwealth would not have been
oomplete il, at the next gubernatorial
election, there had not been two Repub,
lican candidates, the Messrs. Phelps and
Bidwell, who thus assured to Gov
ernor Irwin an easy walk.over. To
give the Corinthian capital polish
and finish to the whole business, the
Democracy, not to be outdone in cour.
tesy by its Republican opponent, re-
turned the compliment by dividing its
forces between the Messrs. Glenn and
White, at the next gubsrnatorial elec.
tion, thus guaranteeing George c. Per.
kins precisely such a walk over as VIM.
Irwin had had four years earlier.
The people of California, who are always
at their best when capricious and iitful,
Immediately turned round aud elected
Stoneman as the successor of Perkins ~
the largest plurality and minority ever
known in Californis-
What will come nexty This is u query
of great interest to Democrats. 1t be-
hooves the party, in view of the very
capricious people with whom they have
to deal, to aim at harmony and to pre-.
sent to the masses sagacious and honest
outcome Of the extra session. Unless
this is done the latent element OF dissen-
sion in the Democratic party which
has also shown itself TO be so domi
nant in the Republican party
will be productive OF political disaster to
the party il power. A commonwealth
which showed itself capable of repudiat-
ing Haight fer Booth may do almost
anything. In the cultivation of spirit
of harmony, and in laboriuus and skill
full organization of the Democratic
masses, is success to be sought. A very
protractsd special session, or a special
session which shall fail to do Just and
moderate work-especially u special ses.
sion which shall create animosities with
in the Democratic party, would be very
disastrous thing. The HERALD has no
hesitation in saying to the ovetwAsl lining
majority of its party which now holds
the boards in the Legislature at Sacra-
mento, "Gentlemen, do short, quick and
decisive work, without OVERRIDING it, and
adjourn" Unless such programme is
carried out, we shall not be free from
forebodings as to the immediate political
future of California. We have already
been treated to the painful spectacle of
very unseemly wrangle, characterized
tional bitterness, between the two lead.
ing Democratic State officials. Let us
hope that this spirit will not spread. 1t
would not be auspicious Of a happy issue
in the next election, for tho Democracy,