Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-09
REPUBLICAN CLUB FORMATION

The successful organization Of Repub-
hcan Club in San Francisco, to bS known
As THE State Club" is an expression of
the sentiment of the many prominent Re-
publicans enrolled in it already that there
must be closer communion and freer inter
cnanSe and counseGng within the party for
the future. The most of its club organiza-
lions have been devoid of stability. They
have been creations for an hour, and there
fore never enlisted much more than cam
palgn enthusiasm. Evidently defeat in
1854 has done this much for the party-it
has taught it that true excellence is at
tanned only by labor and that party
without an organized membership is like
an army without leaders or discipline
The State Club is one of the means to
proper party organization. The gentle
men who have brought it into existence
are to be commended for their promptness
their loyalty to the party, and their clear
determination to rise superior to trihes
and mere divisions upon local questions,
and pull together for the national party
We hail the formation of the club, there
fore, as presage of increased Republican
strength and better organization of the
party in California
But the State Club, the headquarters of
which will tecome consultation rooms and
political exchange of first Importance,
must not be the last of organization. 1t
will very largely partake of locality, and
be limited mainly in its membership to
San Francisco. Besides, it is not likely to
draw into Its ranks the mass of the party
enrolment throughout the State. That
must be done by local clubs in which Re
publicans can take active part in their own
localities, and feel that they have a per-
sonal interest and are given share of per-
sonal responsibility. In every town, city
and considerable settlement, therefore
there ought to be organized Republican
clubs, and eithe- by direct communication,
or through the medium of State Club
Convention, these should be related to the
National Club League recently formed,
and in which seven States are already en-
rolled, with a membership in excess of a
quarter Of million. The California clubs
will thus become a part of the disciplinary
means of the national party, and will de-
rive strength by the union
The League is not made up of candi-
dates clubs 1t dominates no one. de-
clareS no preferences for men, makes no
platforms and has but two articles in its
creed-success through devotion of the
membership to the party; and, secondly,
dissemination Of party truths; the adj
dressing Of the intelligence of the Ameri-
can people upon the political principles of
the party. To this end it believes in the
organization of clubs and their enrolment
under the League, which is formed and
governed by representation from the clubs
The Democratic party has resolved to
adopt the same plan Of organization, and
rs hiSt Ciuu convention is 10 ne helO at an
early day. The California clubs, and there
ought to be at least $50 of them, should be
formed very soon and enlist under the
League banners, that they may all be rep
resented at the second League Convention.
Such organization means the fostering of
political intelligence, the broadening of
political knowledge, the rising above mere
campaign existence, the PROSECUTING neces-
sary to add new strength to organization.
II means permaneney and fair dealing, and
the rescue of party organization from the
control of the few who have in the past
controlled club formation, in most cases, as
s. means to personal ends, rather than the
teaching of the doctrines that the party
believes should determine the policy of
the Government and be reflected in the
administration of its affairs