The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-16
THE SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.

Ii is the sober second thought of the
American people that gives liberty, justice
and right their sure foundation. 1t is the
sober second thought of the people that
separates partisan politics from patriot
ism and holds the Nation aloof from the
influence of passing waves of fanaticism,
and it is the sober second thought of the
people that weighs and measures propo-
sitions for departure from principles
OF government which have raised few
sparsely settled colonies into mighty
nation. 1t is the sober second thought of
the people that will beat back and destroy
the hosts of Altgeldism that are now pre-
pairing to make onslaught upon the fruits
OF the victories of the war of revolution and
the war of 1912 and the war with Mexico
and the war OF the rebellion, in which the
blood of patriots was poured out that the
glory and stability of our system of gov
eminent might not fail of purpose.
1t is plain to be seen that there is wave
of thoughtless enthusiasm for wild and
reckless cause rushing over the country,
but it will subside when the people begin
to consider it with their sober second
thought. When the sober second thought
of the people takes up for analysis the
aims ana purpose of Altgeldism they will
see as does high Government official that
mo political issue is involved in the COM
ing election. The question to be decided
is far deeper and more vital. The perpe-
tuity OF republican institutions has been
threatened. Every loyal citizen should
ally himself against the forces which con-
trolled the Chicago convention, the forces
nf lawlessness, which are inconsistent with
the maintenance of the Republic. Hence
forth there should be no Republican, no
Democrat, but a union of loyal citizens
against the combined forces of repudia-
ton and disorder. When once this dan
gerous element has been stamped out at
the polls by an indignant people we can
again divide and discuss those political
questions which for generations have kept
alive the two great political parties"
The leaders of the several revolutionary
factions admit that plans are now being
discussed for throwing the Bryan follow
ing to the Populists in Congressional dis
tricts where the latter outnumber the
! former, and reverse this order where the
| Bryanites show the greater numerical
strength. The idea il. of course, to have
the majority of Congress composed of an
element tnat WOulu De IN accord IN setting
aside all the established principles of the
| Government and substituting for them
the communistic theories of AltgeId
and the sectionalism of TiIlman. Any
| kind of trade will be made that promises
additional strength to the revolutionists.
| Mr.. Bryan has set out to appeal to the
common people" for support. 1t is evil
dent that he means to inaugurate war Of
! classes and set brother against brother
and community against community,
which would be far worse in consequences
than any race war that history gives &C.
count of. Less than a week ago Mr..
Bryan was nominated by the Altgeld- Till
man convention, but he has already
eliminated the economic issues which di.
| vided the two great parties and planted
his foot square and fair upon the doctrine
of sectionalism, and from that platform
he appeals to the common people" to
elect him President, that he may revamr
the true and tried principles OF govern
ment and make them conform to what
will amount to liberty without law and
ruinous contention in the peoples com
mercial and social life. The sober second
! thought of the people is relied upon to
prevent this great wrong.