Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-02-14
CALIFORNIA

The American people are provcrbia for their
love OF law. Wherever they are to be found we
find that their greatest solici,ude is for the estab-
hshmcnt of their wise and liberal principles of
Government. They seem not to require the force
OF law to awe them into order but rather do they
seek to establish law, that disorder NAV not en-
sue Others may be governed by law Tor fear of
ITS punishment but our people evidently seek law
as the protector of their lives rights and property
As an additional evidence of the love of law and
order which the inhabitants of our country enter
tain. may be recorded the recent movement in
California.
The territory of California, possessing many
attractions atthe time of its acquisition dew with
in ITS limits many 9th inhabitants of the States
They found operating in California no law.
Congress having failed to legslate for the country
1t was lett IN state Of disorder. To prevent the
occurrence of entire anarchy, military law was
established. Independent of the ineffcacy of
such law, it is incompatible with the spirit of the
American people 10 tolerate its operation 9th
erS, thus left without efficient government. would
have run into anarchy, and forced their rulers to
institute the rule of tyranny, if not that of militia
ry deSpotlsm, in the effort to maintain quiet and
order But the California emgrantS were the low.
erS OF law, and having been reared in the Ameri-
can Republic proceeded calmly to the formation
OF a government Its inhabitants entertained con.
tlicling OPINIONS upon questions of State policy,
and the country was in state of Reorganization:
yetpeaceahly, quietly and deliberately, a govern
ment has been organized. The friends of order
had no authority to sustain them in their effort TO
establish law; nothing but the principles of free
government entertained bv the patriotic and in
telgent emgrant, from the States enabled them
10 succeed in the establishment of a government.
Without unanmlty government has been estab-
iShed, and IS now IN operation. though it is en-
forced by no authorities but such as are of IFS own
creation.
The people of California have adopted con-
stitulon, having in view the organization of
State, instituted a legislature to provide laws for
their government, and created Governor to in
sure their execution And taey havenot only prov-
ded State government but have prepared for adj
"isslo" mo me Union, and the enjoyment ofthe
privileges of the Federal Government
To the pursuit of this course the inhabitants Of
California have been influenced by the strongest
OF all human motives, that of self preservation
They have provided for their own government,
and clam OF the General Government its sanction
and protection. With due respect to the opinions
OF others, they are entitled TO the protection of
Congress and the privileges the Union. We. of
course, are unable to say what decision our ma.
tIonai legislature will make, but the indications
are favorable, and the stronger probability is that
Tue ADMISSION oil California will follow her appli-
cation. TT
Governor Burnets Message is remarkable for
It's clear and precise recommendations. II i ou;,e
a buslness-llke document We admire the GOOD
sense and patriotism of the Governor in ASKING
the Legislature to consider the propretv of pro.
ceeding to business before the admission Of The
State INTO the Union. He does not express an
opinion IN relation TO the question, but simply
proposes IL to the Legislature for their copsidera
,'oh. Inc language,i in which he urges upon the
Legislature, the propriety of pausing in their le
giSia'Ive action, until il is clearly ascerained that
II IS eNpedient TO act; and the inexpedencv of
action II 1t conflicts with the Constitution of the
United States, speaks much for his patriotism.-I
ne says III then 1t would be inconsistent with
The just rights of the United States, for YOU TO
proceed to put the State government into full on.
eIauon before she be formally admitted into the
Union, you should without hesitation forbear and
leave our people still to suffer on, rather than Vi.