The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-06

dicate the success Of the whig candi late for
Governor, while it is probable that the democrats
win have . majority for the Legislature. Two
members of Congress were also elected, aad it is
likely that each party has succeeded with one OF
their candidates. The city Of San Francisco Is
whig by nearly thousand majority.
The particulars of the execution, BY the Com
mittee of Vigilance of San Francisco, of the two
Observation-Disclosures and Whitaker published
in Yesterdays HERALD The prisoners were taken
forcibly out of the Jail, where they we're uadsr tho
custody Of the law, Aimed, and, by thrtysix
members Of the Vigilance Committee, were Con-
Quoted to the rope and tackle "that hung from
beams projecting from the front Of he committee
rooms, the doors, in the second ssor- " And
here the prison hung, or, according to The
San Francisco Herald, 'they were jerked simulta-
neousy into tae air, until their necks struck the
blocks" After the execution, speeches we're made
to the multitude, in exten nation of the act, by
several Of the leading members of the Vigilance Com.
mit.,e. The bodies of the criminals hung exposed
to the public view till sunset, when coroner's
inquest was held over them, and verdict rendered
"that Samuel Whitaker AID Robert McKeaz
came to thai death by being hanged by the neck
SC. The affair occurred the Sabbath. The prison
was attacked while the Rev. Mr.. Williams was en-
gagged in divine service with the criminals in the jail
yard and the execution rapidly followed, at about
o'clock in The afternoon Altogether, time. place,
and circumstances this is terrible chapter of the
aiministration of criminal law in San Francisco
1t is to be hoped that this Vigilance Committee will
coon be relieved of their duties as guardians of thu
CITY, by the regularly constituted authorities and
that all necessity for such summary and dreadful
proceedings as have recently taken place. will cease
to exist.
TIE most important political question Of the Cay
in Callforni is that IF dividing the State into two
States by the line of the 37h dsg gree Of north lat
tude Such division is ultim ately inc vi.able. 1t
is only question Of time. The State os California
northwari, extends from the thirty.second to the
foIty-second degree of north latitude. Between
these go points this board, lie the Atlantic
States Of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virg mia,
Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York
and Connecticut, or, in other words, north and
south, the State Of California extends from
Massachusetts, to Georgia For the present, it
may be mos. advantageous to the whole terri
tory to be included within the limits OF one
State bit as the population increases, it will, no
doubt be divided in two States-the first embracing
the Sacramento river, which flows south, and the
Bay of San Francisco. The question rests entirely
With the people Of California. They may divide
the State, and the southern half being adapted to
cotton, rice, tobacco grapes and olives, may may
not admit the institution OF slavery, in becoming
separate State, at their option With the question
Of the erection of new State gu. Of the territory
Of the present State of California Congress has
thing more to say. 1t rests entirely with the peo-
MA I fo-7 n ata Iii adu mil
or excluding slavery, and Congress, if they have
republican government, must receive them into the
Union. Congress, is but the servant of the States
and the people. 1t has no: the powers of consoli-
dated soverei gnty, only so far as they have been
conceded by the States and the people. What they
have not conceded, they have reserved AID among
these reservations is the sovereignty over the ques
ton Of slavery. Bat while this question Of dividing
California is matter wholly within the jurisdiction
of her people, the policy of agita:ing that subject
so early may well be doubled. The country mas
hardly settled down upon the compromises; but
they are steadily gaining ground in both sec.
tions. The division Of California suggests the
probability of toe introduction Of slavery into the
southern or new State. Slaves are already there
Blu. the creation OF such new State, flowing or
prohibiting slavery would revive the late agitation
which of all things i; is most desirable to put to
rest entirely. Still, the question Of dividing Cali
fornia has been raised it is undergoing q serious
discussion among the newspapers, and conventions
have been appointed al various points in the south
section o. the state, to deliberate upon the sub
ject. We trust and believe, however, that they
will defer all action in the pre- nises I'LL after the
Presidential election.
Tie general aspect Of business ard commercial
affairs ia California Is good. The goli mines have
Dot only most powerfully contributed 70 postpone
Indefinitely widespread explosion in the Atlantic
States, to Gil the national treasury over 80 wing
and TO difuse their beneficial influences the world
over, but hey keep Up the credit and of
he immediate community n defiance of fires, foods,
and failures, which would swamp any sther State,
oxep, anoth California, in hopeless rain Success
TO California
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