The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-03


California and her Prespects-Mr. Benton
and his Letter.
The popping OF California has commenced un.
der circumstances of the happiest augury. No new
country has ever been colonlzed under auspices
favorable. The grea, majority of those emil.
grating to that country from the United States are
men OF intelligence and education and with
every advantage of soil and climate, and with the
existence Of such agencies call into active exer
else all the energies of mans nature the most re-
msrkable results mpy be anticipated in the social
and political organization Of a colony, which we
hope soon to take Its place as one Of the most
influential States in this confederacy. Rome, the
mietress OF the world, was peepled by horde of
un)euered bandits; and if, under such unfavorable
circumstances, such an empire was founded, what
may not be e1ps cted from country which springs
into mature existence, like Minerva, armed. from
the BRAIN OF Jove, In full perfection of adult
strength and vgor?
With such country, the less interference on
The part Of the authorities at Washington the bet
ter the people able to take care OF themselves;
and it cannot be doubted that, lndoctrlnated as
they are with the spirit OF republican order which
prevails in this country, they will frame for them
selves such institutions and laws will secure the
lasting honor and interest Of the new landot their
adoption. Some action, 1t Is true, ls necessary on
the part of the federal government and that action
should have been had long since; but the legsla
ton OF Congress should be 80 shaped as not only
to consult for the interests Of California upon
a thorough understanding of her wants, but also
so az to give her people the utmost possible free
dom to think and act for themselves. Her wants
and desires are not understood by this govern
ment. Both Congress and the executive are at
sea on the subject; and nothing has been yet pro
posed 10 be donS by the national legislature tina
was not in some way Objectionable. IF any man
thinks that California is to be held In Leading
strings, or to be fed on legislative panada, he Is
egreeiOusly mistaken. II would be great folly to
Imagine that II can be kicked about like foot
ball by one party and another-betwsen the wings
and the democrats, or between the North and the
South. People from all portions Of this country
have gone there, and with determination not to
be tr,fied with.
The recent news from California, published in
this paper exclusively Yesterday, confirms US in
these views. 1t is evident that the Catornians
are entirely alive to the necessities of their condi-
ton, and are resolved to provide for their own
political wants. Law and order were being vIgo-
rously enforced; and those who had offended
against the peace Of society, were treated with
severity calculated to strike terror into the evil
disposed
One of the most interesting features In this in
teligence is the account Of the reception given to
Mr.. BeDton's letter. 1t appears the people treat
that document as it deserves-that Is, they think
1t very pragmacal, and pay very scaut attention.
u. - u
we have noueht to say 1t is but charitable to
suppose they were not un worthy, but we are not
at all surprised that the people of California spurn
counsel that comes in a shape so dogmatic and
dictatorial and then it may be asked, by what
right Mr.. Benton undertakes to lecture California:
III resolution had passed the Senate, instructlng
the people of that country as Mr.. Benton has at
tempted to instruct them, would not everybody
exclaim against such step obtrus;ve and I'M
pertlnept7 II so, what can be said of such pro-
cedure emanating from single member of the
Senate When the Secretary of State of the
United States, two years ago, wished to convey
to the people of Oregon the views OF the execu-
tive touching those subjects in which Oregon was
the most interested, not presuring to write to the
people OF that country collectively, who were not
bound to this government by any official relations,
he wrote to an officer OF the federal government,
residing there. conveying through him to the peo-
pie the strong desire of the executive to have
everything done that could at all conduce to the
prosperity and happiness OF the distant colony.
On that occasion Mr.. Benton addressed letter to
the people of Oregon, marked by the same patron
izDg tone that has excited the indignation of the
Caliiornians.
There Is, unfortunately, among ,many members
of the Senate, an exaggerated notion OF their own
importance as senators, aud a strange hallucina.
ton that their officia! station confers upon them
license for the commission OF all manner OF extra
vagance. Mr.. Benton Is continually haunted with
a vast, vague, and hyperbolica idea of his own
atlantean importance. This delusIon has grown
20 be a monomana with the Missouri senator
Now, all this may have been tolerated with a
smile and a shrug of the shoulders this cOnntry
but 1t is clearthe people OF California not to be
caJoled or humbugged, and it canno' be wondered
at that they buntly declare how exceedingly lrk-
some 1t is to be thus followed to the far off shores
OF the Pacific with counsel they have not applied
for, and mandates they have no lnclnatol to obey.
And 1t is gratifying to perceive that they repulse,
in a true and manly spirit, that vindcttve ammo
sity, that followed to his grave one of the brayest
and most deserving officers that ever wore the
uniform OF the United States.
On the whole, we think the Calfornians have
acted wisely end spiredly thus rejecting all in.
reference with their domestic concerns, aud all
attempts at dictsfon, coming from soy quarter.
People who exhibit 80 praisewJrthv srurel-
ance, will be sure to act prudently aud carefully
in iramiEg their institutions and legislauog for
their wants. Before a year, II ~ prob able there
will b. quite large enough population In Cahfor