Year: 1867

We have noticed disposition on the part OF
certain individuals, and one or two journals, OF
avowed Union sentiments, to drag into the COM
ing canvass unimportant local issues, or if i'm
portant, subjects which ought not to be intro
duced in connection with the more important
matters properly presented for discussion in the
next campaign The Eight-lIour Leagues ana
the Anti-Cooie Associations have put forth man
ifestos declaring their intention to vote Tor no
man for office who does not adhere to thelr views
On this subject, and that party connections VIII
not govern them if their requirements are not
complied with. From the experience OF otner
districts where more extensive manufacturing
interest exists. we may conclude that California
is not vet prepared to adopt the Eight Hour sys-
TEN. and while they are almost without hope in
the accomplishment of their purpose, members
of the Union organization must be aware that
such a course will embarrass the party to which
they belong, and should they succeed in elccting
one such man, of disloyal antecedents, they
could not consistently call it victory. When
the increasing wants of the country shall have
riyen employment to the hundreds of idle arti
sans now thronging the streets Of our principal
cities, and our workshops become pressed by the
requirements of an accumulated population, then
may the advocates perhaps compel the proposed
of two hours from the daily toll.
As mechanics, we are all desirous of seeing the
trades elevated and hope, for the sake of the
of the Eight Hour organization, that
the time is not far distant when their dreams
may be realized. But it must be apparent to
every reasoning man that when our toundres are
running only three days out of six, and carpen-
tiers and other tradesmen plentiful at three dol
lars IL day, is not the time for mechanics to urge
their cause, as corresponding reduction OF
wages must follow.


AS to the other organization, known as Anti
Coolie Associations, it has but few adherents
outside of San Francisco, and though it may
succeed in sending a few delegates to the State
Convention, they cannot hope to achieve success.
The Democracy may accept the opportunity, and
extend n nomination to one of the champions of
he Anti-Chinese cause, but when election day
zones round very few Union men will be found
'eady and willing to deposit their votes for men
who, the question of national existence, have !
shown, by their association with and support of
raitors, that they are not the most reliable |
riends of liberty and the white laborng classes.
After years of endeavor to engraft system of
slavery on the industry of the country, the Dem |
'cratic party is the proper one to take this ques


ion under their immediate protection, and when |
members of the Union organization are ap- |
oroachcd and asked to lend their assistance let |
hem ponder well on the matter, and ascertain |
o their own satisfaction it there are not other
motives concealed behind the pretended desire
o advance the interests Of the laboring man, aud |
f this is not merely subterfuge of demagogues
Who are in need of their help in the accomplish
nent of some plan to which they arc unprepared |
o lend their aid.


The work of reconst struction in the rebel States
las only been commenced, and cannot afford |
o risk its successful completion by meddlng |
With matters of ulteror Importance, or by taking |
lp side issues of questionable propriety. To |
conclude this great work united front should |
oe presented and n deviation from this great
principle to favor the crude and impracticable |
uggestions of local politicians, is not the policy
VI the Union party at the present time. The un-
livided strength of the organization should be |
,rought out this Fall, and success depends to 4
considerable degree favorable beginning.
'etty dissensions should be discouraged and
ormer differences lost sight of in the canvass for
State officers and Congressman. By yielding |
hat allegiance to party which actuatcd rs
trough five years of war. we need have no fears
If the result. Every man is not a student of po-
itical history but all know that the opposition
low is the same as when our national existence
vas the principle for which contended.