The morning call., 1890-09-11
TIRE NATIVE SONS.

The spectator who failed TO discern the
true significance of Tuesdays parade must
be superficial observer. The real meaning
Of the orderly. procession of twelve or fifteen
thousand men in line with brass bands and
snowy efieies was not so much that Cali
fornians were eXulting over the rapid and
romantic growth of the past as that they
were giving notice TO the world that polti-
cal power was passing out OF the hands
which have held it for forty years into the
hands of those who were born on the soil.
Persons who fail to interpret the true
inwardness OF the demonstration Will learn
their lesson al some cost An organization
which only yesterday was merely social has
suddenly doomed into political Importance.
There are now, it is said, eco regularly en-
rolled Native Sons of the Golden West. In
few weeks such was the eclat Won by the
order at this holiday. their numbers VIII In
crease, and when the next Presidential cleo
ton comes around they will be predominant.
Young meD, seeking banner under which
they may march, will be attracted to that Of
the class to which they themselves belong I;
and their seniors. recognizing the fitness Of
things, will gracefully make way for those
whose stake in the future destiny of the
commonwealth must naturally be larger
than theirs
To retain the influence which they seem
destined to acquire, however. the Native
Sons will have to use it wisely. Power can
only be kept when it is exerted with judg-
ment, discretion and liberation of differences
of opinion. Whenever it is employed for
the furtheranee of prescription or injustice,
it decays. Separated by mountain barrier
from the rest of the civilized world, Cali
fornia is but slightly governed by the march
of enlightened opinion outside If the State.
Our position and our peculiar interests have
occasionally obliged us TO reject the standards
which are accepted at the East and in
Europe and out Of this necessity have grown
conditions which sometimes have led some
of us TO deny principles which are immu-
table and Of universal application. As our
intercourse with the rest Of ChristeDdon
becomes more frequent, and our own civil
ization ripens, this condition will die out
and Californians Will come to admit that q
truth is truth everywhere.
1t skill largely rest with the Native Sons L
complete the higher education of the people
Of the State by setting an example of menta
and moral breadth. 1t will rest with then
TO show the world that this California is no
only the most fertile State in the Union
with its most varied resources, but that it il
also the State in which the Immortal prin
ciples Of the highest civilization are carried
out to their fullest development, and tina
society here rests on the broadest foundation
OF honor, charity and good faith. 1t is tn
natural destiny of San Francisco to becom
one of the great centers of the world-a cen
ter of art aud letters and science as well a
commerce. But it cannot realize that destin.
unless its people combine to insist on a higi
moral tone in the community, and on a full
appreciation that there is something bette
than money in the world. and that between
the mere moDey-getter and the pauper out
cast society finds little TO choose. TIT
State may and probably will in time fill u
with millions of industrious agricultursts
But they will never make great common
wealth unless their laws are broad, liberia
and humane, unless all the pettinesses 0
young communities are eschewed, and they
frame their conduct in accordance will
Lincoln's motto-Charity for all, malice fol
pnuaf