Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-10
STRANGE RESULT OF ELECTIONS
IN CALIFORNIA.

Mr.. Freaner, in his last two letters
from California, in the Picayune, COM
municates intelligence which is certain
ly strange. if true. We take the follow
ing extracts from his letters: !
This winter we will have to elect a
United States Senator in the place of
Col. Fremont, who has drawn the short
term. Col. Fremont in my opinion
stands no chance of a reelection. | do
not at present know of more than two
votes that he can possibly rely upon
The question in the next election for u
nited States Senator from California,
will be the broad one, North and South,
and although there is a strorg probabili-
~ that the Wings have a majority on
Joint ballot. if there i. any Northern
man elected, it will be Col. John B.
Weller. He has a great many warm per-
sonal friends in both parties, ard upon
this important and exciting question he
is liberal and conservative in his views.
As an evidence Of the strength Of the
Southern and Western men. they have
defeated every man in the country who
has avowed himself an Abolitinnist.
During the coming session Of our
Legislature there is a strong probability
that a law will be passed calling a new
convention 10 adopt a new constitution.
The Western and Southern men appear
to hang together, and if they continue
to do SO, California in less than two
years, will be a slave State. So you
will see, ii | am not more mistaken than
ever | was in my life, that while our ad-
mission into the Union brings US Joy and
fair promises on one hand, it sends US
an internal feud on the other, that will be
contested with ferceness and energy
by both parties.
; In a subsequent letter, he says:
Elections that have Just terminated
in the country, as far as | can learn, give
2 a wing majority in both Houses but at
the same time there is a decided MAORI.
ty of ultra Southern men, and they are
# determined to elect one of their own
# creed, or at least who is sound upon thai
subject, TO the United States Senate, in
the place Of Col. Fremont, without re-
!. gard TO the question of wing or demo-
y GRAFT"
Respecting the defeat of Fremont, We
e think it is probable that Mr.. Freaner i.
y correct. Tha. gentle man has proved q
. great failure in the Senate, and in politi'
h cal life, and the sooner he retIres int
h his proper sphere, that in which he ha.
achieved deserved distinction, the better
u it will be for himself and the young State
,e which needs an energetic, cool. and ex
il perienced statesman to represent its in
N terests in Congress.
ID But as to the triumph of the South.
/ ern party, we are not prepared TO credi
i Mr.. Freanor's predictions.
If these calculations should prove cor
rect, and the people should amend thei
10 Constitution, and authorize slavery, thei
ID right TO do which is universally admitte
n and cannot be denied. such a course wi
we imagine, revive the Wilmot Proviso
which Webster and other politicians c
i the anti-agitation school, have declare
was dead. 1t will also greatly embai
he rass the " Silver Greys," and other hal
way politicians, who, without declarin
their opposition to the Wilmot Provist
took the ground that, SO far as Cal;fo
Ter MIA was concerned, it was of no pract
in cal efficacy. The latter, in such a cours
will have a fearful account to settle vii
hit the fat-footed Provisoists.
of The consummation of the design hi
ted at by Mr.. Freaner, and the esta
vo- lishment of Southern institutions in ca
ff- %ifornia, under all the circumstances wou
nv exhibit an instance of %retributive justi'
os- which is little snort OF a miracle, ana n
no no parallelin history. tits, however t
no. wonderful to credit upon slight testim
ian ny. delta.
II