Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-01
MoMENToUs ISSUES.

1t is always pleasing exercise of the
Imagination to dwell upon the pictures
future historians will draw of the time in
which we live. Here on the shore of the
Pacific Ocean there is little group of
civilized people. detached, as it were, from
the main body of the Anglo-Saxon race,
and so widely separated from the parent
stock as to afford an ample illustration of
the genius of that race fer selfgovern-
ment. 1t is true we are in communication
with the great body of the nation and the
parent empire from which our race sprung,
but the communication is not so intimate
as to affect materially the course of civil
cation on its high road to ultimate destiny.
That we are observed, that we will be re-
membered, that our career will be placed
under the microscopic lens of the analyti-
cal historian, is verify believed. Above
and beyond all this, we feel to know that
we deserve this observation, that the little
detachment of the race now occupying the
Pacific coast, with widely uninhabited
interval between ourselves and the main
body of civilized life, has genius for gov
eminent, for craftsmanship, for the deyel
opment of the great resources Of the coun-
try, for the upbuilding of great common
wealths, and especially for politics.
in proof of this, we cite recent meet
ing between the leading politicians of the
two great parties in San Francisco. The
particular date of this meeting should not
be forgotten, since the day on which it oc-
Cured will form a date period in the his
tory of human liberty and the science of
self-goyernment. 1t was the 10Th day of
October, 1890, and Chairman Wilson, of the
Democratic State Central Committee, and
Chairman Stump of the Republican State
Central Committee, were the principal
figures in this thrilling historical drama.
The occasion was the production of let
ter alleged to have been written by Henry
I'll. Markham, Republican candidate for
Governor, to one Halleck, Heilock, Hill
lock, or, as some authorities render it,
Hullock. Enough is known of the per-
sonalitY of the party to whom this is wit
ten to Justify us in saying that he resided
at one time in the State of Wisconsin.
The letter itself was an inoffensive look
ing missive, but it contained words preg-
nant with the germs of social and political
revolution. II think, Halleck," said the
writer, "we may yet make something out
of those id mines. am glad that Irish
crowd Is out, and hope the Cinnamon will
do we'll"
Public opinion had intensified to that
state of desperation that the committee
representing the Republican organization
had offered 81 900 for the original letter
containing the great words. The Demo-
cratic committee, determined that the
great momentous issues of the campaign
should not be evaded, had with consum-
mate detective skill found the original,
and, after long and bitter controversy,
meeting had been arranged to present the
letter and the evidence of its genuineness
The Republican side were seated as the
Democratic embassy entered the room. In
the meantime, public feeling was aroused
to fever heat, reporters of the press
crowded the room, and stenographic
writers, renowned for their skill, were
employed by both parties, and occupied
long tables in the center of the room. No
word spoken at this tremendous meeting
will be lost. 81 have the original letter."
said Chairman Wilson, advancing with
determined mien to a position in front of
the Chairman of the Republican Commit
tee II demand the reward of one
thousand dollars offered by your honor
able body" leave the letter with me
until tomorrow morning. said Chairman
Stump, with great spirit and determine
ton, and l will tell you what / will do
Thereupon the Democratic Committee
slowly withdrew. The vast concourse of
people who thronged about the place gave
way as the Democratic Committee retired.
CuSsius-" How many ages hence
Shall this our LOFTY scene be acted over
In states unborn and accents yet I'M
known
Br,ilus-" How many times shall Caesar bleed
in spirit,
That now on Pompey basis lies along
No worthier than the dustT'
Orssius-" so oft as that shall be-
So often shall the lot of US be called
The men that gave their country liberty"
In these immortal words has the great
dramatist embalmed previous historical
event.
The State scarce slept for feverish ex-
element in anticipation of the morrow.
The morrow came, October 80, 1890.
Chairman Stump to Chairman Wilson