The record-union., 1898-03-28

1 eAoh ~ SuDflill tnSlf views In Wrllif1S
at their earliest convenience Sug
! gestions from producers throughout
the State are especially solicited. All
communications in response to this re
quest should be addressed to the Cali
Iornia State Board of Trade, San
| Francisco
II is none too early to begin the
consideration of this matter. and the
State Board of Trade has taken the
right course to secure a consensus OF
intelligent opinion on the subject. Cal-
ifornia cannot we'll afford to be UNI
represented at Paris in 1900. IL we
are to make an exhibit, il should be
worthy of our great State, its achieve
ments, its resources, and it's possibil-
tiles. The State Board of Trade. in
entering thus early upon a systema tic
plan OF action, has taken step well
calculated to insure ultimate success.
SHOULD STAND ALONE.
Stockton Mail: Since our existence
began we have maintained uninterrupt-
ed peace with all the Continental
powers. and that without sacrificing
dignity or iflcurring the expense of vast
war armaments We have avoided
quarrels by the simple process Of mind
Ing oUI oN VII puSlueSS. 1n6 moment the
United States completes an offensive
and defensive alliance with England,
the nation must arm. Because all the
enmity with which England is regarded
on the Continent would at once be
turned upon us. And we would get in
return for thus incurring the fear and
hatred Of the world absolutely nothing
except the pleasure of paying millions
for it.
| 1t is we'll enough to talk sentimental
ly of blood being thicker than water.
But common sense demands that we
stand alone, interfering in no European
quarrels, committing no aggrassions,
colonizing no lands. peacefully extend
ing trade and always content to mind
our own business, serenely confident,
in the meantime, that we can take care
| of ourselves without help against the
attack of any power on earth.
LYNCH LAW LEGISLATION.
Stockton Independent: At last a few
of the Southern executives and law
makers exhibit sincerity in their efforts
to discourage and prevent lynch law.
South Carolina two years ago enacted
a law making a county liable to the
amount of $1,000 exemplary damages
when a lynching occurs. A further law
was passed providing that a Sheriff
who permits a mob to take a prisoner
from his custody is guilty of a misde-
meanor and upon conviction shall for
felt his office and be declared ineligible
to hold any Office of trust or profit in the
State. Texas has a similar law and the
Governors Of Virginia, Florida and
! Georgia have recommended like action
by the several Legislatures. Altogether
there seems to be an awakening OF the
public conscience in the South against
| lynchings, and there is hope that the
next two decades will develop a keener
sense of duty toward the negro-for the
negro is the usual victim of lynehings.
CHANGE THE MOTTO,
| Oakland Tribune: The Cuban in
surgents will have to change their motto
to Independence or Starvation unless
some influence is exerted in their be-
fhalf pretty soon. The laying waste of
thousands upon thousands of acres of
farming land has deprived the country
of it's natural means of support and un-
less an opportunity is given to restore
the soil to cultivation. famine more
widespread than even now prevails will
be the inevitable result.
ABSENCE OF EFFORT.
! Stockton Independent: 1t would be
strange if the Cuban insurgents did not
seize upon the present crisis, the state
of excitement not only in Havana, but
in Spain and the United States, to make
an extraordinary effort in their own be-
half. 1t is surprising that no such cf
fort to win a decisive victory had been
made ere this. The only way that it
can be explained is on the presumption
that the insurgent army is not so strong,
not so alert, and not so we'll organized
and we'll led as the Junta has claimed.
There have indeed been some minor ac-
| tivities recently, but five weeks have
elapsed since the loss of the Maine and
no vital blow has been struck and ap-
| parently none attempted, though there
has been several volumes of word
promise. 1t would seem to have been
the great opportunity of the insurgents,
| and that they have neglected it is con-
tributory proof that they are weak.
weaker in numbers and in confidence
than in the strategic conditions of the
| topography and climate. Still it is an
argument that is just as potent against
| Spain as against the Cubans. The
| Spanish troops should have made some
headway in those five weeks if they
ever expect to. One decisive victory for
either side would have had great effect
at both Washington and Madrid