The republic., 1851-04-10

= no osSossAostAP OooskAo oiilvOu - ASV" Vim
on Monday evening, and the Empire City on
Tuesday morning-the latter bringing one
million Of dollars in gold. BY these arrivals
we have eighteen days. later intelligence from
California, which. however. is of no particular
Importance We subjoin the letter of cor
respondent.
[coRaEsronDREcE OF THE REPuBLic.1
SAN FaANorsco, March 4, 1851.
The Legislature Of this State met in convention
Of the two Houses the 2lst ult, for the purpose
Of electing Senator to succeed Colonel John C.
Fremont, whose term Of Office expires with this
day. The candidates Judge Heydenfeldt,
formerly of Alabama; Colonel John b. Weller,
whose name is somewhat familiar to you; Colonel
Fremont, and Hon. T. Butler King. ! say these
were the candidates, because the others voted for
John w. Geary, mayor Of this city. and Colonel
James Collier, late collector Of the customs-were
not regarded in the contest. Judge Heydenfeldt,
who, II il alleged, preacher Of disunion in Ala
bama, the choice Of majority Of the Locofocos,
and his supporters violent in their opposition
to Fremont, whose career in the Senate was just
long enough to PROSTATE him in California. Under
no circumstances could he concentrate the strength
of his party. Indeed. three Of the eight votes he
received upon the first vote in convention were
given by Wings; and, although be received as high
AZ sixteen votes before the final adjournment, his
real strength was at no period greater than
seven. And two Of the seven members who
preferred him above any other candidate, and
adhered to him in good faith, are regarded AZ
Whgs-Mr. Pico, of the Assembly, and Mr.. De la
Guerra, of the Senate. They are native Califor-
nians. large landowners, who are impressed with
the belief that Colonel Fremont can and will WELD
81 l-.-
MIR. King was the first and only choice of the
great body of the Wings, in and out of the Lcgis-
lature, and consented to be made candidate in
Difference to earnest solicitations which, a. good
Whig, he could not disregard. He received
higher number of votes than any other candidate;
and his friends firm in their support at the
adjournment of the convention, after voting one
hundred and forty 1.-TWO times without making an
election, az when they commenced voting ten days
previous. Indeed, he was the only man whose
name could have formed such union of the
Wings, or for whom there was the remotest proba-
bility of counting any aid from the Democracy.
Had all the Wings (three were unfortunately
bound by pledges to vote first for Judge Heyden-
feldt; and one, Mr.. Wethered. voted for Colonel
Collier, virtually throwing his vote away) voted
for Mr.. King-as they did finally vote for him
in the start, he would have been elected. He
three or four other Democrats ready to vote
for him whenever his vote reached twenty three.
That number-although his highest vote at any
time was twenty and his lowest sixteen-but
for the causes have stated, it would have been
easy to give him. That any Wing Of the Legisla-
ture should have voluntarily placed himself in q
position where he could not vote for the candidate
of his own party when his vote was most servicea-
BILE was vexatious enough; and that Wings outside
of the Legislature could 30 far forget their party
allegiance to oppose such a candidate, some
claiming for themselves high degree Of excel
lence politicians did oppose him, cvinced spirit
Of characterization and treachery which, it is to be
hoped, will neither be forgotten nor forgiven.
Most prominent among the marplots were Colonel
Collier, and James M. Crane, editor Of the San
Francisco Courier. Both of these gentlemen
were candidates, and the course they pursued is,
therefore, less excusable. Colonel Collier and
Mr. Crane left nothing undone to injure and
defeat Mr.. King, against whom for no reason
whatever, unless under q false impression that
he stood in their way. they circulated the most
unfounded and malicious statements. Their op-
position, It is true, from its very arrogance and
selfishness, was harmless; nevertheless, they are
entitled to the highest consideration for their zeal
ous efforts, and have won for themselves reputa-
ton for integrity and fair dealing, in the matter
which would be cnviable, if it were not already
despicable, and quite likely to become infamous.
The Wing members of the Legislature, with
promptitude and unanimity which docs them inf-
mite credit, have taken action in the of Mr..
Crane. They have unanimously passed resolu-
tions denunciatory Of his conduct, and declaring
that his paper, the Courier, is not, and cannot be
recognised as the exponent Of the views and wishes
of the Wings of this State. This rebuke may,
perhaps, teach him useful lesson. Il was certain
ly deserved. and exceedingly well-timed; for Mr..
Crane had become 30 arrogant and dictAtorial,
that his conduct was almost intolerable. Indeed,
he has succeeded by this means in mourning the
displeasure of nearly all tho prominent Wings in
California His true policy now il TO retrace his
steps, and, If possible, atone for his misdeeds. Az
| for Colonel Collier, he has exhibited degree of
meanness which, if it has parallel. certainly has
| no palliation apology. Had Mr.. King ever done
him any injury, there would be some show OF rea-
son in his conduct; for revengeful feelings, how
ever censurable, generally denote maniness;
whilst disposition to injure, in the absence of
such influences, seldom fails to breed contempt.
Colonel Collier may probably consider that he has
acted an honorable part, and. upon the strength
Of recent presentations of plate by portion of the
| mercantile community of San Francisco, may
fancy that he stands above reproof; but he will live
to discover, think, that he has standard of pro-
| priety which most men would feel ashamed to
| follow.
The adjournment of the convention until the lst
of January, 1852. was tantamount 10 a declaration
that the present Legislature will make no election
of Senator. Another effort to elect may be made
towards the close of the session; but, things
stand, doubtif it will be more successful. Another
Legislature the members of which will be elected in
August, will most probably have that honor. The
postponcment will have favorable effect, il il
thought by the most sagacious Wing politicians,
upon their prospects. The State is Whig, and il
the Wings will only make a determined effort Of
which there is now every assurance, they will Sc
cure the Legislature and the State government in
all its departments And then, il they are prudent
and sensible; if they will abolish all useless offices;
reduce the salaries of those that indispensable;
| rive Wiae and benefcant lcoialation raatore fhe