Year: 1875

The people overthrew the Demo-
cratic party when it forgot the true


principles of Democracy and become,


in the hands of few, power to OPP


press the many. It's successor was
the Republican party-the offspring


of a "higher law" doctrine which pat


riotic impulse suddenly expanded to
gigantic proportions. The new party
to which the people transferred their
trust and confidence was an exotic pro-
duction and reached in II years what
it took the old Democratic party fifty
years to oattain-the zenith of its pow
er. Its decline was even more rapid
than its ascent and within three short
years this great organization dwindled
from dimensions that were indeed col
ossal to the merest pigmy. 1t had grown
so corrupt that even the cohesive pow
er which holds together the accumu-
lators of unlawful wealth, could no
longer hold the tainted mass intact.
The people saw that this party so
young in years and so old in vice and
corruption must be taught the lesson
which but short time before had
been taught the Democratic party and


soon we began to hear of Republican
defeat. In this State the masses were
not yet willing to accept the protesta-
tions of the Democratic party that it
had returned to first principles and
was cleansed and purified. They pro-
posed that it should do penance yet
while longer and the Independent par
ty sprang into existence. This was
hot-house product that grew
with the rapidity of Jacks bean stalk.
Like mushroom it attained its full
proportions in night and like that
fungus it wilted and withered beneath
the early rays of the morning sun. 1t
could not bear prosperity and its first
success was the rock on which it foun-
dered. From the moment of its first
trial the fate of the Independent par
ty was sealed. 1t proved itself want
ing in every element and principle ne
cessary to popularity with the people.
The masses saw that once more they
had been deceived-that their faith
had not been well founded and that
they must look elsewhere for party
that would recognize the people as the
true sovereigns Of the land. The Re-
publican party was still groveling in
the sloughs of corruption and treading
the Shiny backways of fraud and pecu-
lation. 1t gave no signs of contrition
and reform and the people turned once
more the old Democratic party-the
party that had controlled the country
from its infancy to manhood and had
guided the nation from insignificance
to the proud position of the first re-
public of the world California is
mocratic-Democrati from Cover
nor to Constable. The old party is
once more in power, and her standard
bearer holds the helm. Where will he
guide us? That is the question the
people are asking. With the lessons
of the past before him; with the wreck
marked rocks clearly defined and the
broad open sea stretching out before
him, Governor IRWIN will prove
himself blind navigator, indeed, if
he does not steer clear of the reefs and
shoals that have proved so disastrous
to the Republican aud Independent
parties. The people of California have
placed the Democratic party on pro-
baton. They have elevated it topow-
er with feelings of doubt and distrust,
and it depends on the newly elected
officers whether or not these feelings
shall give way to those of confidence
and security. The people expect hon.
est and economical government; they
expect such legislation as will secure
the greatest good to.the greatest num-
ber, and unless these expectations are
realized the great majority of last
Wedn esday will melt away like wax
before the flame.