The San Francisco call., 1896-05-04
GUARD CALIFORNIA.

The unwonted enthusiasm DISPLAYED by
the Republicans of California is evidence
of party loyalty, sincere belief in the
great principles which the party supports,
| and confidence in victory next November.
With such feeling as this, and with dis
organization and discomfort in the Den y
cratic ranks, California is bound to show a
Republican majority.
The great problem now confronting the
Republicans of California is to make the
most intelligent use of the situation. The
fact must not be overlooked that this State
occupies unique position, and that its
duties, needs and opportunities are wholly
different from those of other States. AS
the ruling party in California the Repub-
licans have grave responsibilities, reaching
far beyond the bald consideration of party
victory. These responsibilities affect in
terests vital to every citizen of the State
without regard to party affiliation. They
go even further than that. Apart from
the interests affecting all Californians
alike is the position which the State occu-
pies toward the welfare of the whole Ma
ton. If the Republicans of California
fail to understand these matters and
merely put themselves on the common
place level of Eastern sentiment, they will
neglect the first grand opportunity ever
presented to them whereby they might
compel the National party to recognize
| the needs of the State and accede to its de-
mands.
If California does not exercise the power
to make an effective demand for the Mica
ragua canal, from what source should
| such demand proceed? From Missouri
or Illinois or New York? If California
does not come to the rescue of the COM
merce of the United States and demand
such assistance for the steamers plying be-
tween San Francisco and the Aus
tralian and other colonies as will
enable this country to compete with
the heavily subsidized lines controlled
by Great Britain, and if the farmers
OF California do not require that San
Francisco instead of Liverpool should
be the distributing point for their products
destined for the Orient, from what other
source should such demand come? II
the fruit-growers OF California, having NO
competitors in the United States, do not
insist on such q protective tariff as will
insure their prosperity and such a reci-
procity as will extend their markets,
"hoAl oAOuAo tucy cApcCt W make IneiI
fghtP If the English laws standing in
the way of irrigation of our arid lands are
| not to be overturned by US in favor OF laws
suited to our circumstances and needs,
who will do this needful work for usP
1t would be idle to say that these mat
ters are so manifest that they will i'm
press themselves adequately on the atten-
ton OF the National party, and equally
idle to insist that in the absence of intelli-
gent work to secure their recognition they
will receive due consideration. Should
the Republican delegates from California
to the National Convention go unpledged
to any candidate for President and with a
harmonious and earnest purpose to exer.
else the power which independence gives
| to demand the recognition OF our needs as
prerequisite of support, it will be pursu-
| ing the only course by which it is possible
to discharge high obligation to Califor-
mia and the Nation. A delegation pledged
to any candidate whatsoever would be a
mere football ana the supreme opportu.
nifty would be lost.