The record-union., 1898-07-11

est reverence for law and most unflinch-
ing courage in it's enforcement. It has
been true to itself, and to the country.
1t has faithfully redeemed it's pledges
ana been a constant barrier against de-
fusion. 1t has been the constant factor
for stability of purpose in Government
Tor forty years. During all that time
the opposition has gained complete con-
troll of the Government in all it's
branches but once and that lasted only
two years.
The policies of the Republican party
have been for the steady upbuilding Of
the nation, to make it stronger and it's
people more prosperous and happy. 1t
has never descended to demogoguery de-
ceit, or indirection to accomplish its
purposes, for they have appealed to rea-
son and to justice
GENERAL GOOD BUSINESS.
San Jose Mercury: The largely in
creased profits of the Southern Pacific
Ccmpany-S4,O ,OOO, ,00O-over those of the
preceding fiscal year indicate that there
has been a vast gain in business in Cal
lfornla, as the large portion Of this gain
Is credited to the Pacific system 1t is
a fact that nearly every road in the
United States has hauled more traffic
during the past twelve months than for
many years past, and their operations
are safe test of all other business
throughout the country
THE LADRONE ISLANDS.
Santa Rosa Republican,: The United
States does not gain great deal in the
capture of the Ladrone Islands by the
fleet en- route to Manila. Only four of
the fifteen islands in the group have
any population, and their inhabitants
number only about 5000. The people
are generally lazy and indolent While
nominally controlling the islands, Spain
derived no revenue from them. The
area of the entire group is given at 741
square miles. Guahan, the largest and
most southern island of the group, con-
tains the only town-Agana. Here the
Governor resided and exercised all the
authority recognized by the residents Of
the islands.
The climate of the islands is said to
be better than that of the PHILIPPINES.
The soil is productive, but the. people
are generally too lazy to till it and most
or them exist in squalid poverty. II
the islands are held by this country the
planting Of colonies there may make
them more valuable in time, but they
are not of much account to anybody
just now.
RAISINS ONCE MORE.
Fresno Republican: We are rapidly
approaching crisis in the raisin situa-
ton We fear the comparatively few
growers, whose cooperation is neces-
sary TO assure the success of the pro-
posed combine fail to realize the gravity
n hn rf+,
ing influence their inaction may exert
ON the selling value of the maturing
crop 1t is freely predicted by nearly
everyone in the raisin trade, that If a
crop Of the magnitude, promised by
present indications, should be forced
on the market, under methods pursued
IN the past, nothing can be expected but
most disastrous results both to grower
and shipper. Farmers must realize that
commerce is war, carried on with al
most as much intensity as the present
conflict between this Government and
Spain. Sellers are constantly strug-
Cling to increase the price of their com
modities, which they go into the mar
ket to buy. This is commercial war
fare; it has always existed and always
will exist.
OUR LOSSES IN BATTLE.
Los Angeles Express: While the loss
of American blood at Santiago is de-
plorable, we may feel assured that no
lives have been sacrificed by reckless
or incompetent leadership. The loss in
killed and wounded is light compared
with the great battles of the civil war,
which at times almost made the nation
reel from the shock and sent a wall of
agony throughout the land In the
battle of Gettysburg, for example, 3,O7O
soldiers were killed and Ia, ,497 wound
ed on the Union side. At Spottsylvania
2,123 were killed and 12,O37 wounded.
These figures do not include missing,
under which generalization casualties
were often included And ON the Con-
federate side, it may be added, in a
general way, the loss was about the
same as on the Union side.
OUGHT TO END.
Stockton Mail: 1t seems as if the
war ought to end now. The utter
hopelessness of successful resistance
on the part of Spain must be apparent
TO even the deluded people of that king
dom.
The Spanish sailors and soldiers have
proved themselves brave foes-worthy
to cross weapons with the best Of ours
There has been no showing Of the white
feather by them-no showing of any
thing but desperate, though useless,
valor. There is no question that the
American estimate of Spanish troops
has been greatly raised. We presume
the Spanish estimate of the skill and
courage of the American soldiers and
sailors have also undergone transfor-
nation. The two peoples, in fact, are
in q mood to make peace upon honor
able and generous conditions.
THE TIME TO PLEAD.
Los Angeles Herald: Spain seems
no more inclined to profit by the advice
of the British press than by the more
friendly counsel of the Pope, and the
probabilities are that she will not sue
for peace until completely prostrated-
until all is lost-until her absolute
helplessness shall evoke naught but
pity.
Spanish sovereignty in Cuba has been
magnfcently defended The heroism Of
the Spanish soldierly on the island pro-
vokes the admiration of the world. 1t
is conceded by the no less valiant
enemy that confronts it. Spanish
honor has been vindicated, according
to the Spanish code, and a prolongation
of the war on the part of Spain will be
little less than madness. 1t will be
crime. It's continuance can no longer
be justified in the hope of European in
tervention, or of substantial help from