The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-26
From the California Placer Times.

The evident ability Of the writer commends the
following to the attention of the intelligent reader
We are glad to lay such well expressed views be-
fore the public, however dislnclined we may be TO
adopt the conclusions which they favor
Editor of the Times.-In handing you for pub
LEGATION the following extract Of letter to q dis
tinguished member Of the American Senate, l
wish it understood that ] am not Of that party
which would set at naught the laws Of this State
as they now exist as being unconstitutional and
Of no force, or binding on any except those who
may choose TO acknowledge them. IT'S true, the
whole business of our State organization was hur-
riedly gone nto and the larger portion of the in
habtants Of the Territory had neither knowledge
nor say in it /; but conceive it to be binding on
them, for the reason that some sort of government
for the time being, is better than none at all. /
have merely taken calm, philosophical, and cor
rect view of affairs they exist, and claim the
right to advocate such changes in our government
and laws as l think best, provided such be done
in legitimate manner
The late news from Washington, leaving in
doubt the ultimate termination of the question OF
our admission as a State, ] am induced TO address
you again on the subject discussed in my commu-
nicaton of few weeks since.
The course pursued by New Mexico, following
in our foolish footsteps, and proceeding to the
adjustment of State government, is censured,
sneered at and pitied by almost every man in Cali
fornia-acquanted with social and political
condition-who has yet seen the notice of such an
unwise and suicidal course of policy. We can
think and speak feelingly, alphabetically and
knowingly on this subject
| A knowledge of our own condition, and COM
parison Of it with that Of New Mexico, forces
conviction and correct conclusion In the breasts Of
even Free-soil advocates here-against which all
their sectional prejudces, political ambition and
abolitonism are in vain arrayed. Here, with all
our wealth, population, talent and Americansm,
our enved geographical position, and the favor
able auspices under which the ship of State was
launched ; we now find the whole movement has
been premature, and that we are incapable of man
aging our affairs as a sovereign and independent
State. How much less can poor, barren, isolated
country-contanng a handful Of traders and adj
| venturers from the borders of the States few
loafers and desertefs from the army, intermxed
with population, little more numerous than the
others, Of ignorant half savage poems and greasers
OF Mexican and Indian origin, be capable Of form
ing and maintaing government which shall rank
an equal, and claim the right Of entering our sis
terhood Of Staes'
The idea is preposterous! and naught but po-
ltical manguvering and dishonest Juggling could
have brought about result so injurious to every
interest Of its inhabitants, and 40 plainly thwart-
ing the natural course OF events.
Since writing to you, | have conversed with
several Of the most talented and influential men
amongst US, and frd they coincide with me
,irely in believing our condition world be far bet
ter, for several years to come uuder a territorial
than State government
There is hardly man in the whole boundaries
Of California who one straw for the interest,
honor, and character Of the State, beyond what
pecuniary selfish interest--present or prospective
may give rise TO. None feel that love, patriotism
and pride for il, mot the old residents mo'c) so
necessary to give permanency and strengthen
to our laws and institutions, and TO create conf
dence, both among ourselves and people else
where. How can it be otherwise We are a
great crowd Of Adventures from all parts Of the
world, drawn suddenly into the vortex of this
mighty golden maelstroom; constant whIrl and
excitement is the order Of the day. Change. un-
fxedness of purpose and place. very few looking
upon it as permanent home, thoughts ever bent
upon the all-absorbing object for which men as
well as women came hither, mark the course Of
events. Strangers to each other, but few know or
care who elected TO I'll the various Offices,
how they fill them after being elected and no man
can be found in the country TO I'll one, unless the
salary attached to IL, perquisites, or facilities for
stealing, enables him to pay himself better in it,
than anything else he can go at; and the moment
an incumbent Of such finds he can make dollar