The record-union., 1891-04-23
THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT.

The President of the United States is
coming to the coast, and will for few
days be the guest Of the people. Ameri
cans are not man worshipers; their de-
sire to meet the President is not in any
respect manifestation of fawning, but
is praiseworthy and altogether com.
mendable ambition to do respectful honor
to position that is representative of the
elimination of all possible dignity and
honor in Government by the people.
No matter, therefore, who should fill the
Office, his visitation to a distant portion
of the country would be an event of rea-
sonable importance, and excite an in.
terest at once commendable and patri
otic.
Nor is it mere curiosity that puts al
edge upon desire in this matter. Al
intelligent American citizens know that
in General. Harrison they will see plain
unostentatious, representative American
man of practical views, clean life and
unalloyed patriotism. Just such mer
they have all seen and with their careers
they are familiar. But when one of these
eminently representative Americans is
chosen to the chief magistracy, he is in
vested by the people with new interest
because of the executive power he ex-
ercises, and the weighty responsibility he
bears, which makes his views and his ad.
vice of graver moment, since the obIiga.
tions of the Office remove him in great
measure from the lesser consideration
that influence men not invested with
such great trusts.
The tribute the people pay to one who
is thus situated among them is testi-
mony for the American system of self.
government; it is expression by the peo.
pie of the confidence they repose in the
system, and the faith they have in the
doctrine that the office of the governor
can thrive only in the consent of the gov
erned.
Prior to General Harrison setting out
upon this Western trip but two Presi-
dents had visited the Pacific Coast, one
General Grant, shortly after his term o.
office; the other, President Hayes, during
his incumbency. Both came as does
President Harrison, as the guest of the
people and not at the invitation of any
one or group of citizens. President Har.
Fison has been invited by California rep
resentatives, by commercial men and
agricultural delegates, by cities and
towns, and by nearly every Californian
and Oregonian who has called upon him
in Washington, to visit this coast. He
has repeatedly expressed a desire to ac-
cept these many invitations, and he now
does so of his own motion and comes in
the fullest sense as the guest of the peo-
pie of the Pacific Coast, and not as that OF
any one or of any place. He viii be re-
ceived as such by all the people and be
shown all the honorable distinction and
courtesy that grateful host could bestow
upon long-expected and much desired
guest.
just how much Of selfish interest enters
into his reception it IS difficult to say.
The metropolitan press insists that the
Nisit'of the President and two of his Cabi-
net viii be Of great value to the State, as
1t viii give them practical knowledge ot
the country. In a sense that is true, but
we do not attach to it the Importance
some Of our contemporaries are disposed
to do. In a flying trip through the coun,
try these distinguished citizens canno
form definite opinions that will greatly
influence them in passing upon nationa
measures and policies Immediately affect
ing the Pacific Coast. When their de.
partments are considering matters of Pa.
citc interest, they will rely, as hereto,
fore, upon records made for each case
and the facts as laid before them at the
time. Nevertheless a run through tho
State, though the best part of it we fear
Northern California-is TO be traversed in
the night will serve TO broaden the
views of our visitors concerning this
fruitful portion of the domain of the
nation. We may hope also that the days
TO be spent in and around the bay of San
Francisco viii very much impress them
with the Importance of providing for the
defense of that port.
1t would be very profitable to the State
to have these visitors with us in the fruit.
ing and harvest season, when the lap O
California overfiows with the bounties o
orchards, vineyards and fields; it would
be especially gratifying if they coulC
spend week or two leisurely in travel