Calaveras chronicle., 1852-01-03
our Position and Prospects.

rally, in disorganized state, is a fact
which, though deplorable, cannot be
denied. Law and ofder-a thorough
enjoyment Of our own rights and pri-
vileges, combined with frank acknow-
leGgment, careful! appreciation and
nice observance Of those Of rthers-vi-
tai elements of a sound social system
have had, comparatively, but few ad-
herents and supporters among US.
People have been precipitated to-
gether here, in manneruDprecedented
IN the worlds history. Communities
have not been formed and nurtured,
strengthened and consolidated by the
natural attraction and cohesion of affi-
nities-but, impeIed, some by spirit
Of mere adventure, others excited by
mad lust for gain, have found them
selves thrown together-a heterogene-
Gus mass-difering as widely in man
ners and morals, in habits and associa-
tions, as in cline, in country, and in
color. The old-established axiom has
held good. The man Of refinement
of liberal sentiments and education, felt
the pressure of the coarse, the profit
gate, and the unprincipled, and the
"tyrant majority" gained still greater
potency.
Long did this state of affairs prevail
aHson3 us-till numbers arriving actuat-
ed by higher motives, and more firmly
fixed in correct principles, boldly and
uesolutelY set themselves to building up
a community, capable Of appreeiating
their position, and worthy to occupy
the fairest, as it is the richest portion
o6 all Gods creation. How far sue
cessful they have been, let the present
state of our great cities bear witness
safety for life and property, trade and
commerce firmly established-the arts
and sciences promoted and fostered-
religion and morality dominant through
out
The discounted and malignant spi-
rits, unable to bear the just restrictions
of social order, betook themselves to
the less populous districts-and5 pur-
suing with a high hand their unhoIy
practices and pursuits, have been the
bane, and in many cases the terror, of
interior settlements. In many such, the
people, honest in the mass, have arisen
and thrown off the incubus, thereby
establishing for themselves peace to
prosecute their labor or their business,
and security in the enjoyment of the
results.
In this transition state are we now.
Vice and crime have reared aloft their
braZen front. A word of dissent, and
it was followed by the thrust of the
ruffian's knife, or the deadly aim of
the farther-reaching bullet. Our last
number carried abroad narratives of
such outrages against law-such imbe-
cility on the part of those who usurped
the place of power, as, within our own
knowledge, has turned aside the stream
Of emigration which was. setting to-
wards us, as well as otherwise seriously
niuring the interests of every house
holder in the locality.
The crisis has arrived. The citizens
have banded themselves together. The
law will be enforced-the officers sup
ported in the execution of their duty
the felon will be hunted out and brought
to iustice-witnesses relieved from the
dread of consequences, will fearlessly
testify to what they have seen and do
know-and the guilty wretch, beyond
all aid from his banded associates, shall
pay the penalty of his misdeeds. Thus,
and thus only, can peace be brought to
this distracted people-by these means
alone shall we be enabled to avail our
selves of the rich resources within our
grasp. And, perfect immunity secured
from all murderous assaults, confidence
firmly established, and good order pre-
vailing-then will our neighborhood be
sought for by the industrious, the peace
able and order-loving iInmisrant-and
not till then may VIC look for the for