The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-06-22
THE NEED FOR A BROAD AND
STRONG MAN.

1t is perfectly clear to whomsoever
walks abroad with his eyes open that
the developments Of the times point to
q new Importance for California and
the Pacific Coast, but above all for
California. compared with which the
present commercial and industrial i'm
portance of the State sinks into insig-
nifcance. Unless all the signs CT the
day fail, we are upon this coast to see
the Western limit Of the political and
trade sphere of the Republic pass be-
yond us, leaving California as the CEN
ter and heart of a new time in which
vast trade, almost limitlass industrial
expansion, and UNNECESSARILY aug
mented production and prosperity will
be ours.
The annexation of Hawaii may row
be accepted as settled These islands
are to become the mid-Pacific station
of this nation, and San Francisco their
natural base for communication and
trade. The commerce we now have
with Hawaii WILL under American in
fiuence, swell to treble present pro-
portions within short period of time
The planting of the American flag upon
the soil of the Philippines is to give US
IN the Orient possessions fairly won
and falling naturally within the pre-
destined influence of the Republic of
the United States. which is impelled
by irresistible forces to carry its bene-
f1cent institutions to the peoples of that
archipelago so long tyrannically DOM
mated by Spain.
The nearest base for those islands
will be Hawaii and the Pacific Coast.
The Philippines are, it is conceded. in
the very infancy of their development
Under Spanish control hey would re-
main practically sealed to the world.
their inestinlable resources undevel-
oped, their opportunities for industry
and human betterment suppressed,
their mines uncovered, their productive
capacity only such as nature in the
amplitude Of her benefcence forces
upon mans attention.
1t requires no elaboration Of the sub
ject TO convince any thoughtful citizen
that with these new acquisitions. at
least under the new relations we are to
bear to these empires Of wealth and
but partially tested fields for human
activity, even if we do not come into
possession Of the entire Philippine ar
chipelago, California should be the
center and heart of a new interest, IN
which all the people Of the United
States will have common part.
The Pacific Coast is to be the entire
pot of a new commerce. the base Of a
new position of the Nation among the
Powers of the world. and the most i'm
portant of the coast interests Of the
country, excepting only the North At
lantic, from the capes of Massachu-
sets to the mouth of the Delaware IT
may be safely forecast, indeed, that in
the course Of time this Occidental
shore will assume even greater impor-
tance in the national destiny than that
Of the Atlantic in any OF it's reaches.
We have already felt in California
the momentum of a new impulse as
irresistible as it is benehcent 1t was
most significant and suggestive ar
gument that was made in the halls of
Congress against the annexation OF
Hawaii that the nation ioes not need
the islands, because with it's western
stretching chain Of Aleutian Islands
the Government, with transportation
facilities over extreme northern railway
TOllfnS will
station and base for all it's needs That
is to say, California, under that scheme.
would be robbed Of a natural he: itace.
and all the immeasurable benefits that
should flow to this State as the base
Of new empire OF commerce and i'm
portance, in favor Of the northern
coast.
In such situation as these facts
present for our consideration, we see
the greatest necessity for placing at
the head of State affairs as Governor
q man Of the highest character and
broadest capacity: a man who can
make the State felt in the new condi-
lions now adjusting themselves as it
has never been felt in national affairs
before. It matters very little what
the politics Of such a man IS If he is
the strong power he should be, che
that will impress itself upon the IA
tional policy in a way to carry his
name into historic annals as a great
benefactor of the State
It will not do to say that California
cannot develop such men as Indiana
gave 20 the country i'll a Morton. for
instance, or as New York produced in
a Tilhen. 1t Will not do to say that a
Governor Of the State will have no par
tcular measure of influence in secur-
Ing for this State the benefits that
should flow to her from the new policy
the Nation is formulating. The Chief
Magistrate of the State will in such
times as are opening before us be
either an arm of strength or an iustru-
ment of weakness.
In such crisis State pride, State
interest and the States future rise
superior to political contention. The
times We are facing should operate
upon each political party to enter the
field presently in a way to give us
nominees any one of whom will prove
equal to grasping the opportunity now
opening up to Us. In the presence Of