Weekly Trinity Journal

PARTIES AND ISSUES.

The political campaign of 1875 may be said to have been fairly inaugurated by the actions of the State Central Committees of the various parties. It is not to be, as heretofore, a square fight between the Republican and Democratic parties, but, like Midshipman Easy's duel, a three cornered affair. So, at least, we judge from the address of the Independents, which was issued to accompany the call of their committee for a State Convention. We have perused the document with interest, for the new party which can hope to win success of both the others in the present state of political feeling, must be prepared with urgent reasons. And day by day the political feeling that urges men to stand by old party affiliations become stronger as elections in other States show that there, at least, the contests are looked upon as foreshadowing the result of the national contest to come off next year. We do not purpose to analyze and argue against the points this address attempts to make. It promises like every other party document reform in government matters. We shall simply aim to show the influence and effect this third party movement if persisted in will have upon the State and the nation.

It will not be disputed that the third party, the Independents, is made up in the main of Republicans. Three of every four who voted for McKinstry, held that political faith upon national politics. The same was the case in the local election, previous. The Independent movement originated in the Sacramento Union office and emanated from the feelings of hostility the proprietors of that journal entertained toward the proprietors of the Central Pacific Railroad. When Governor Booth became identified with it, it took strong hold upon the party which elected him Governor. It swept over the Republican counties some of which it demoralized to such an extent as to secure Democratic successes where they had hitherto been unknown. It possessed but little strength with the Democrats and much of that it then possessed has gone back to its first love. It would be the height of folly for those who are Republicans on national questions, to support an organization which is but an offshoot of the party on questions of purely local moment, and which to make even a respectable showing in the political field, must compass a Republican defeat. If there were none but local issues involved the matter would bear a different aspect, but Democratic successes in the East awakened renewed hope in their party here and the opportunity of regaining their long-lost power, State and Federal, seems too good to be thrown away. On every hand we hear of such Democrats as joined the Independent movement two years ago, returning to their idols, and it would be political madness in Republicans not to profit by their example. Just by way of illustration take our own county. Of the Democrats who voted for McKinstry two years ago, how many can be counted as supporters of the Independents now? We venture the opinion not one in ten. Some of the Democratic Independents then, are candidates for office at the hands of the Democracy now.

The plain truth is, that the movement was helped to some extent by Democrats as offering the readiest way of disrupting the Republican party. That object is now accomplished in the belief of the prime movers, and they are returning to their first love. Others will keep up the semblance of Independents until a ticket is nominated and some strength committed to its support. The fact is that men have to recognize this truth-that this is a contest in which national politics are involved, and there can be no such thing as an Independent on national questions, in the sense in which the term is applied in this State. The course of Senator Booth, the great head and front of the party, upon the Louisiana resolution-voting both for and against it, is enough to disgust any one with the name of Independent as applied to national politics.

The choice is before the people to give voice to the views of California whether Republican or Democratic rule is the best for the country. It is the question we have to answer and to which local interests will hold a subordinate place. It can be answered for the first by voting the Republican ticket-for the second by acting either with the Democrats or Independents.