The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-19
THE APPEAL TO GLASSES"

THE APPEAL TO "CLASSES."
! In the political theory and practice OF
the American system there are no classes.
| The very idea of class Ia repugnant to the
republican thought. There is nothing
that is more disgusting to the right-think
ing than appeals to support classes in
American politics. as if there was assault
against one portion of our citizens by an
other portion creating the need for cham
pions to arise.
Yet it is as common as the rising of the
sun. when political campaign ia on. to
| hear shouting by psrtisans Of candidates
that this or that contestant is the special
friend OF the workingman, the friend Of
the laborer, the friend of the wage-earner.
All such appeals are insulting to the very
men whose sympathies they are sup
posed to enlist.
| The honest min led. clear-seeing aspir-
any appeal to supposed class in his be-
| half If he is self-respecting and square,
! he is alike the friend Of the wage Garner,
the business man, the professional man,
the man Of leisure, and all others having
| common concern in good government
order, law-abiding, prosperity. economy.
human progress and American equality
of right, privilege and duty.
If candidate should pose in his politi-
paper man and worker, as though the
latter had enemies against whom Il is
necessary to raise up defender in gov
eminent, there is not a newspaper worker,
self-respscting and decent, who would
not feel insulted by such Justification
and appeal.
These appeals for votes by classes, if
good for anything, if at all deiensible.
should run the whole gamut of supposed
who are the friends of the wholesale
dealers, the retailers, the peddlers; candi-
! dates who are the friends of doctors and
dentists; of farriers and scavengers; the
employed and the unemployed-though
| heaven knows that no one could put
/ their finger upon the enemies of any of
these in our political system.
The candidates on the Republican mu-
nicipal ticket are not playing any CATCH
| NANNY husInaus or ho nv tactioo nv opaoioI I
appeals TO the workingmen, the business
men, the professional men, or to the
prejudices of any supposed class of citi-
zens; nor are they seeking the reward Of
Office for having been friendly to what
ever it is right to befriend. They ask the
suffrages of American citizens, knowing
no class or distinction in their recogni-
ton of human rights and human re-
sponsibilities.
Take the case of Mr.. Wilson. the candi-
date for Mayor. How powerfully he could
appeal to workingmen. were such be-
seeching not in itself insulting and hu-
initiating to wage-earners. He has
worked nearly all the years of his life,
labored since early childhood, and has
ever been diiigent in work and in busi-
ness. But he is not to be honored more
nor less because of that than are other
decent men who toll honestly and wisely
save. He is to be valued and judged for
what he is and what his past promises for
him in capacity to do. Appeals to sup
posed olaEs prejudices are not made In his
behalf-he is the friend OF all square
American voters and worthy men, and
he who is not ought TO be beaten when he
offers for political place.
Let no one be caught by taffy, or soft
soaped into bartering his ballot on the
pleas of special friendship or emnity to
any class, condition or religion, occupa-
ton, calling or following. Let candidates
stand upon their merits as men and oiti-
zens and representatives OF principles,
and receive the support or opposition
of American sovereigns whether their
hands are Drowned by toll or their faces
whitened by the confinement to desk or
counter.