Year: 1875

FEhSONALITl ES IN fVLhlACc.


1t cannot have escaped notice that the
present political contest is being waged in
r different manner from the usual gun OF
political campaigns even in California.
1t must be apparent that this is due TO the
presence Of third party which claims to
possess in its mem bership all the purity,
and all the honesty in the State. Indeed
so pure and immaculate are the leading
spirits of this great reform party, that
they should be exempt from that share OF
criticism which generally follows the
commission of disgraceful or fraudulent
acts. But while claiming these exemp-
tons for themselves, these paragons of
political honesty claim and exercise the
right to question the acts aud motives OF
every man of prominence who has the
temerity TO range himself in opposition to
the sef-consttuted champions Of re-
form. And the result of their little stone
throwing arrangement is that some Of the
great retormers now stand amid the ruins
of their own glass houses, without another
stone to throw, having exhausted their
supply of missiles in the outset.


1t is not q pleasant state Of affairs for
Republicans to contemplate, but who is
responsible for It's existence There can
be but one swer-it was begun by those
who sought TO build them selves UP by
tearing others down. And If they find
themselves worsted in the fray they have
provoked, we are not charitable enough
to give them any sympathy. The mis-
take of the Independent leaders was in
traducing the motives and iHpersiag the
political character of all presuming to
differ with them. Beginning with the
assumption that both the established par
ties were "railroadized," it was easy to
follow it up with the assertion that all
who belonged to those parties who were
of sufficient prominence to assume leader
ship, were only "tools of the monopoly"
And, in the temporary excitement into
which the people were thrown, good men
aud true went down, while the places
which they should have filled were mo-
nopolized by swarm Of brainless
demagogucs.


The plan successfully carried out two
years ago is now being attempted again,
but the same results are not likely to fol
low. The head and front of the 1nde-
pendent party, Mr.. Booth, in his Sacra'
mento speech made Gorham the subject
of some sneering remarks, and has found
more than his match. The reply of the
Secretary came quick and decisive and
has placed the Senator in very bad po-
sition. For Mr.. Booth and his supporters
cannot shut their eyes TO the fact that he
himself lfprovolled the merciless castigation
he received. Gorham has been made the
scape goat of Republican sins long
enough and human nature has at last as
s.;ted itself. The silence with which be
bore the con .inued abuse of the reform
er," emboldened them to try it, just once
too often.


To men who believe the canvass in n
political campaign should be confined TO
political issues, the present relations be-
tween the Republicans and Independents
are not satisfactory. 1t WAS hoped that
the dssensions in the Republican ranks,
which gave birth to the Independent
movement. would be healed, and that n
square fight between the two old parties
would follow. But that hope vanished
when the sef,hne.s of the Dolly Warden
leaders became apparent. The bitterness
with which the leading Republicans have
been attacked the construction Of the
State and Congressional tickets ; the sed
ulous ignoring of all questions of national
politics and the combinations sought TO be
made with the Democrats whore the Re-
publicans are in the majority, show con-
clusively the object sought by the Dolly
Warden leaders to be the overthrow of the
Republican organization, thereby giving
Mr.. Booth status in political circles at
Washington, which he could never hope
to attain if the Republicans under the lead
of Sargent and Gorhsm, succeed in carry
ing the State. One result of the canvass
will be to exhibit Bidwell and Booth in
their true colors to strip off the mask OF
virtue with which they have hitherto con e
cesled the utter selfshness of their aims.
And if it leads, as it should lead, to the
reputation OF such men rs leaders, by
those who are honest in their temporary
atiiiation with the Independent party, Il
good purpose will be served.