The record-union., 1898-08-30
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSION.
state and Coast Opinions on Sub
jects Of Living News
Interest.

Stockton Record: The Democratic
platform will poll votes, for the fool
killer is behind in his work; but it
viii not poll votes enough to seat Ma
guire in the gubernatorial chair.
EVADING THE ISSUE.
San Jose Mercury: The game of pol
itics has been likened to a game of
chess where the adversaries endeavor
each to checkmate the other. Each
play made is a part of attack or else it
is part of system of defense while
counter attack is being planned.
For many years past the Democratic
party has been planning attacks upon
the Republican line and in every in
stance the assault has been withstood
and a strong defensive position has
been secured until it is now in posi-
ton to Withstand any attack and make
a checkmate
For a long time the assault Of the
Democratic party was directed against
the Republican policy of protection. In
1897 it gained an opening and enacted
a free trade policy. The protective
forces rallied and closed the opening
and intrenched their doctrine more
firmly than ever.
In 1896 the point Of attack was
changed and the money question was
at issue. The assault was feeble and
was unsuccessful. Now the Republi-
can party is itself making an attack
upon the old Democratic doctrine of
non-extension, the idea of combining our
energies, our institutions and our pro-
gress. to the narrow limits of our own
territory And no response is made to
the attack. There is no lining up of
force to meet the advance. The issue
is evaded. For what purpose? Sim
ply because Democrats realize that
their position cannot be successfully
defended. They realize a battle can
not be won along those lines.
Read the Democratic State platform
upon this subject. What does it mean?
Nothing. 1t fails to reaffirm that de-
claration of their prophet Jefferson
wherein he proclaimed against the ac-
quiring Of lands that would require
navy to defend them. Is he, too, to be-
come a Has Been in the dear old par
ty? 1t is too true Even that party
has begun to ralize that the world does
move and yet they hesitate to move
with it. They refuse to declare their
faith in the spirit and progress of the
nounce the old dogma and to embrace
the new.
How should such a party be treated?
Does 1t deserve the support of earn
est, honest, progressive men? Ger
tainly it does not. It's position Is un-
worthy of recognition. 1t should be
repudiated as it has repudiated its
leaders. The picture of the Democrat
10 I,a 70 1a
to remain forever in that position.
AN EVASIVE PLATFORM.
San Jose Mercury: The Democratic
platform is a clear evasion Of every
subject Of national Importance that
could possibly be an issue, but seeks
to distract the public attention to
what it considers the burning ques-
ton of the hour" and that is the rail-
road question. 1t is not difficult to
analyze ones feelings upon reading the
anti-railroad declarations in the Demo-
cratic platform That feeling amounts
to a conviction that the utterances Of
the party lack that most essential ele-
ment, sincerity. The railroad situation
in this State is little different than it
has been for twenty years past. Really.
the situation has improved to the adj
vantage of the people, but whatever
the attitude of the railroads to the peo
ple may be, the Democratic party has
had opportunities in the past to show
its devotion to the cause Of the peO-
ple" and has signally failed to keep its
hedges. There is nothing in the posi-
ton of the Democratic party at this
time to warrant the people in the be-
lief that they are any more sincere at
this time than they were upon former
occasions They should write "dema-
eyoeuery' across the face of the whole
document.
TO CATCH FLIES.
Alameda Argus: If political platforms
are molasses traps set to catch voters,
this one of the State Democrats is
baited with a very poor quality Of glu-
cose. We do not see how ii can catch
them. If they take the least trouble to
think.
NOSTALGIA.
Red Bluff Peoples Cause: The con-
stantly widening range Of medical sci
ence is rapidly frightening the list Of
classified Ills that flesh Is heir to. Only
few years ago drunkenness was pop
11lariy regarded merely as vice,
whereas to-day 1t is looked upon as a
disease. bears the formidable scientific
name "dipsomania," and the medical
hooks contain formulate for its treat
roent. Homesickness, too, has won rec
ignition In the medical profession under
the name of nostalgia" and the serious
nature of the disease now is generally
recognized. One of the soldiers Of the
sixth Massachusetts Volunteers died in
Cuba the other day from the effects Of
nostalgia and General Skaters official
report says that patient simply be-
came homesick, pined away and died"
OUR NAVAL ACADEMY.
los Angeles Express: 1t is signif-
can't fact that a large proportion of
the naval officers who have distinguish
ed themselves in the recent war are
graduates of our naval academy az An
napolis. AS a result, the advantages OF
on education at this school are now APP
nreciated more than they have ever
been before.
The men who have Won honor lor
themselves and their country in the
struggle with Spain have laid founda-
lions for their future achievements IN
mast wears at Annapolis. They entered