Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-05-24

most largely gravitates toward one of these
parties; that the commercial and business
and better conditioned industrial classes
more largely incline toward another; that
| the vicious elements find one more congo
NAL, and that more Of the intelligent and
self-respecting find the other party more
acceptable to them. Such division is
not political 1t is far worse. 1t indicates
a division that Is broader than any ques-
tons of state craft; it points to the separa-
J ton Of the country into two distinctive
classes, the one fayoring a strong and what
one faction is pleased to call centralized
| government, with the patronage question
reduced to the minimum the other inclin-
ing to breadth Of freedom and spoils
distribution that are destructive of
strength, vigor and progress in govern
ment. 1t is probable that out of this di-
vision may arise new parties, which will d.
vide the country upon questions involving
more than the policy Of its administration.
The strife for patronage, the dearth of
principles popularity understood as polit-
ical, are nothing compared to the affirma-
tive positions being taken as to rights
in property, disposal of the public domain,
the reform of the naturalization laws en-
largement of Congressional authority, the
reformation of State and national civil
service, restriction Of immigration, the
more absolute separation of Church and
State to the end that the influence of the
former shall in no wise be felt in the latter
and the broad question as to how far the
privileges accorded here to aliens Justify
US in harboring their conspiracies against
nations with which we are at peace. This
latter subject is ably treated in the June
North american Re,ger by Prof Henry W.
Rogers, and VIII engage our attention
hereafter No one of these subjects or
of the others known as reform questions,
can come before the people and
be considered as purely ethical question;
no one of them will be discussed in philo-
sophical tone; no one of them but will
arouse passions and prejudices, and appeal
strongly to the selfshness of human nature, |
and there is no one of them upon which |
the people will not divide on lines largely |
indicating in no small degree the social
classes, the intellectual status, and the ma
tive born and the foreign elements.
In the absence of new organizations this
division will be indicated by the lines of
the Republican and Democratic parties.
1t needs no great gift of prescience to fore
cast on which side the masses will stand
on most of the questions suggested
Nor is it to be doubted that both parties
in the discussion and settlement of these
questions will take harm, since the
growth of the Independent spirit will send,
in great waves, the votes from one to the
other Of the parties just as they declare
and prove themselves in accord with the
Independent spirit that unquestionably is
to-day in favor of reforms in all branches
of government. In such a condition of
affairs respect for the present parties will
lessen, adhesion to them will become
lees and less a matter of concern to the
other words, we believe that
mere partisanship BIS now defined by the
creeds of either party is on steady de ;
cline, and that the great questions OF policy
to divide the people viii largely involve
The vital principles, the setting up of
doctrines limiting in some cases and ex-
banding in others the essential securities
in republic
In the attrition that will ensue in the
working out Of problems before Us, the
boys" viii go to the wall machine poll :
les viii have little influence, and the
poilsmen will find that his efforts to main
ain the doctrine of the right of political .
viii but advance the principles !
hat will crush out the infamous doctrine :
hat " to the victors belong the spoils" E
The existence Of party IS justified 50 p
ong as it is bound together by a common
ttachment to principles, says Mr.. Glad f
en-, AMI this Is but another form of put .
ing an old axiom. What, he asks, shall .
he voters Of to-day do? Keep out of po- !
tical life? Vote bat belong to no party? :
DIN one party or the other? The last :.
1ethod he advises He could scarcely do r
therwise. The duty of the citizen is o.
lear in this respect. The earnest good ;,
len can get hearing in either party, If =
hey will be active in parties they can at 6
ength lift up party standards, and make ,,
arties serve the country as its best good .
emands, instead Of the country serving -
ne party and the party managers. We y.
lust have parties, and the place for the :.
Use citizen is in a party, and being in it, ,;
is duty is to make himself felt in it. If i
e does this the result must be to benefit =,
is country. -
GOVEPEOR STANPOPn,S ScuEgr Il