Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-10
THE GENESIS, CHARACTER, PURPOSES
AND DUTY OF THE TWO C0NvEN-
TIONS.

the same. Both are representative bodies.
That which is the outgrowth of the Sacra-
mento cali represents twenty-four counties
of the State, according to delegations re-
ported to this hour. 1t will probably re-
fleet the wishes of thirty counties out of
the fifty-two by the time the body is called
to order. In addition, delegates from a
number of anti-Chinese Cube will have
seats.
The other is an adjourned session of a
body organized under the San Jose call
1t is an assemblage no action of which will
be received at the East as broadly repre-
sentative of the people of California, from
the fact that the delegates are certified
only from anti-Chinese organizations.
Now it must be obvious to the citizens
composing that body, that the intelligent
'.kh-sught at the East will expect nothing
but partial and biased expression from
such Il convocation. If Convention of
Odd Fellows, or Masons, or merchants,
were called, no one would look for any ex-
preston from the body except that favor
able to the Orders or business represented.
In advance, therefore, the Eastern people,
whom we are especially seeking to convert
to cur view, viii receive all utterances Of
delegates, accredited solely from anti-Chi-
nese clubs, as not free and untrammeled.
On the other hand, the Convention sit
ting by virtue of the Sacramento call is
by vast majority composed of delegates
named by the official legislatures of the
several counties, irrespective of utilization
with anti-Chinese organizations Obviously
such body will be looked upon as making
semi-ofIicial utterances. 1t will be recog-
nized as voicing the free and
unpledged sentiment of the people of
the State. 1t should be clear to
all well wishers of American labor and the
American system that for effect at the
East-precisely where evangelizing in
tlnences for the anti-C Chinese cause are
most needed-the body acting under the
Sacramento call will most readily reach
the public ear.
In advance this convention has been as
sailed, and without shadow of reason.
We have been told through the press that
1T was called by unrepresentative and I'M
authorized people that it is to be mere
instrument in the hands of political dem
agogues, and the means to the selfish ends
of those with axes to grind; that it is at
heart pro-Chinese, and that its originators
are lnsincere and really DESTROYS of throt-
ting the whole anti-Chinese movement.
As TO what it intends, let its acts speak for
1T. Like all other human endeayors it
must be judged by its results As to its
genesis, we know the charges made to be
false in every particular, and to be the va
porings of jealousy and swollen conceit on
the one hand, aud on the other the cum
ming and viciousness of Socialists, embit-
tered Radicals and a clique of destruction
lists, a few of whom have managed to crawl
into labor organizations, and whose advice
If followed, viii work the undoing of the
trades associations.
We know the men who composed and
oiiieered the mass meetings that set in mo-
ton the call for the convention. They
represent broadly and perfectly labor in all
forms, trade and commerce, agriculture
aud intelligence They come from the
farm, school-room, work BENCH, street, shop.
gravel PIT, the market, the professions, the
trades and all leading vocations among
wage-winners, workers and employers
manufactures and skilled workmen; Or
chardists and farmers, and the men whom
they employ. In fact, more thoroughly
representative body it would be difficult to
summon. We know these men to be sim
eere, and we shall be woefully disappointed
if the convention they have erected does
not prove by its breadth of view, its calm,
its conservatism, its firmness and LOYALTY
to principle, law and the interests of white
labor, that it is both representative and
sincere
We believe both Conventions to be COM
posed OF sincere men. There may be DEM
agogues and false hearts in both. but we
are confident that the purposes of both
bodies to-day converting are the out
growths of conviction, quickened by the
punishment Chinese competition in the
industrial field has visited upon this peo-
pie. The laboring man was the first to
protest against the slavish competition of
the Chinese, because he was the first To
feel its baleiul effects. He, first of all.
had his toes crushed beneath the sandaled
feet of the invading army. Artisans were
next to JON the protesiants, doing so only
when the Chinaman invaded their realm
The manufacturers came third, and the
commercial classes fourth in the order of
recruiting, corresponding to the order in
which their privileges and interests were
invaded and their pocket nerves touched.
The agriculturist is the last and slowest to
unite in the protest, because his interest
is only menaced as yet; but he is begin
ming to realize that what has happened TO
labor, the mechanic arts and trade will
probably happen to him, and that it NAV
not be long before the Chinese will be