The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-05

pie of all enlightened countries. the
time has long since arrived when the
gates should be closed to those dam
gerous elements which threaten to IN
fest our land.
We should lend our moral and fnan-
cial support to the building OF the
Nicaragua Canal The completion OF
this great artificial waterway connect
ing the Atlantic and Pacific Will oper
the doors to commerce and facilitate
our merchant marine.
We should endeavor by every hon
orabIe means to prevent the absorption
of wealth by the few, the formation OF
trusts and the consolidation OF great
railway systems. Business experience
dictates the necessity of the adoption
of measures favoring the retention OF
wealth in the hands of the masses, and
the ultimate destruction of that vicious
system of aggregated capital whereby
the rich are made richer and the poor
poorer.
We should "avoid entangling ALI
ances'' with every foreign power. we
have nothing in common with the
hopes and aspirations of empires, king
doms or other monarchies We do not
need their assistance, and it would not
dignity our individuality to extend outs
to them.
We should elect to public office men
in whom we have abiding faith, and
extend to them encouragement ON
duty well performed. We should dep
recate the tendency to unjust criti-
cism of all men, but particularly those
whom we have placed high in author
ity. Such criticism dispels that just
confidence which should exist toward
the source of government and gener-
ates a state of needless unrest.
We should be sincerely and intense
ly American in all things and stand for
ourselves without the Intervention of
any one under pretext. We should
cultivate a spirit of thorough national
and individual independence and incul-
cate the strongest possible precepts OF
patriotism.
The principles of the Declaration of
independence should be our guide.
They are the self-evident truths of the
rights of man and have made us what
we are. They are the corner stone of
our political organization and the pill
lar of our eternal happiness.
We must not be unmindful of the
rights and privileges of the American
soldier. The man who has the brav-
cry to go to battle, sacrificing all in
the defense of his country. is entitled
to our most earnest consideration. He
is entitled to food to seat and to
clothes to wear. The Red Cross and
other charitable societies rendered in
valuable assistance and deserve un-
limited praise, but shame upon the
condition of affairs existing in our late
war. The idea of soldiers of the Union
in rags and tatters and fed on food
unfit for animals of the lower order.
1t is not only un-American; it is inhu-
man. 1t makes no difference where
the responsibility rests. somebody is
to blame, and it should be brought
home to them. whoever they may be.
Much as we deplore the ravages of
war; it often comes suddenly and when
least expected, and it is the impera-
tive duty of those in authority to see
that we are prepared to meet such
dreadful, exigencies. There is nothing
too good for the man who shoulders
his musket to fight for the nations
honor.
The brave soldiers and sailors who,
at the call of their country, left the
walks of their profession. trades and
employments to don the armor of war.
bidding adieu to their native homes
and all that was near and dear, to
face hardships and horrors appalling