The San Francisco call., 1895-11-03
A PURIFYING EFFECT.

Now that the community has been re-
lieved of the intense strain of great MUIR
der .rial-a strain the intensity of which
has been increased out of all reason by the
sensational treatment of the case at the
hands of a majority of the local daily
press-it is hoped that the more whole
some occupation of working to secure the
Republican National Convention for San
Francisco will be pushed with all pos
sible vigor.
There are reasons of the deepest signif-
canoe behind all this public morbidness,
behind all these fearful crimes which have
given California an unpleasant notoriety
throughout Christendom, and behind the
rabid eagerness with which large section
of the daily press feed the popular lust for
sensationalism and promote the immeas-
urable harm which it produces. One of
the most potent of these reasons is mar
row spirit of provincialism to which prac-
tical isolation from the great people Of
whom we should be part has given birth.
This spirit has manifested itself in many
ways. Provincialism is one Of the most
offensive forms of egotism and one of the
most injurious, and in general it is the
product of isolation. Natural conditions
prevailing in California tend to make a
daring and adventurous race, which, in
the absence of the refining and restraining
influences of close intermingling with the
people of the whole county, nourishes a
feeling of independence, originality of
conception and virility of execution, and
in general sentiment not in harmony
with theinterests, purposes and destiny of
the country at large. Grotesque crimes
are corollary of the situation.
If California should be brought closer to
the people of the United States it would
bring them good benefits in manifold
variety. 1t would tame the exuberance of
the people, convert their provincialism
into patriotism and bring them under the
averaging effect of the nobler aims of the
country. We have never had a great Ma
tional convention here, and hence can
form little conception of its value. 1t is
somewhat discouraging to observe that
much stress has been laid on the material
benefits which might flow from the instruc-
tion of great National party on the
physical needs of the West, while the pro-
founder effect on the moral and patriotic
sense of the region seems to have been
overlooked.
1t seems impossible for our people, who
are familiar with the mean squabbles of
local conventions, to appreciate the great
dignity and overshadowing sense of Ma
tional responsibility which are elements of
National convention. Under such an
influence the view is enlarged and the
meanness of provincialism discovered.
The resulting material and moral benefits
would work together, each assisting the
advancement OF the other. The greater
the material progress of California the
larger the incoming of people bringing
with them the broader spirit of those who
have lived lifetime in closer relation to
the Nation as one, and the closer the bind
ing of this section to the business, social
and political interests of the people at
large.
The higher view of the effect which the
Republican National Convention would
have on our people will be appreciated by
those of deep understanding and by all
who would see crime, morbidness and sem
sationalism checked in this State of in
comparable natural attractions.