Columbia gazette., 1853-11-26

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DEMOCRATICSTATE CENTRAL
COMMITTEE.
Fellow CrrIzENs:-Having been en-
trusted by the Democratic Party of thu
State of California, through their elect
ors, with the management of certain gen
eral interests which cannot be effective.
ly directed by the party at large; and
being responsible, like all representa-
tives bodies, to those who have constitu.
ted us their agents, we take the oppor-
tunity afforded by the official returns Of
the recent State election, tc congratulate
the Democratic Party, on the brilliant
result of their effort; to report to, them
our action, and to communicate such
facts connected with the contest as are
deserving of general observation. This
is not only the privilege of ourselves,
for the proper submission Of our OWE
conduct, but it is necessary to regulari-
ty, and certainly requisite in the way Of
duty to the Democratic Public. All in
formation that is acquired through po-
litical position, is the property of the
party which confers the place. Howev-
er trifing it may be, it reflects light
over the track Of the past which indi-
Gates the direction of evil footsteps in
the future; and when it is of the mo-
mentous character of certain incidents
in the late campaign, it cannot be with
held with safety, or suppressed without
a sort Of treason.
When we glance backward at the
condition of affairs at the opening of the
late campaign, and reflect upon the man
fold obstacles that stood in the way of
an efficient organization Of the Party,
we are obliged to pause in the midst Of
our congratulations, with surprise at the
victory we have obtained. Divided by
factions, distracted by feuds, depressed
by defections, perplexed by intrigues,
barren Of means, and denied of resource,
by the secession of many Of those who
absorbed the fountain of State patron
age, we were required to bring our for
ces into the field against an enemy uni
ted in feeling, compact through disci-
pline, overAowing with supplies, and
boastful in their confidence of success.
This promised us no easy task, even if
combined ourselves; but deprived of our
natural rcliances, and shortened Of the
sinews of our strength, the prospect be-
came gloomy one indeed.
But when we found the local currents
of supply dried up, We made our next
appeal to the stipendaries of the nation
al purse, who owed their Offices and in
gots to the permission of the party in
this State. We had peculiar right to
look in that direction for relief. We
had responded to the appeal of the first
national election in our history by four
electoral votes, and We felt entitled to
expect, that the influence and aid of the
General Administration would be cheer
fully reciprocated by its agents here, in
fair requital for that profound pledge Of
our devotion.
We invoked the aid therefore Of those
who held appointments under the Gov
ernment at Washington; but, except in
few honorable instances, our hopes
we're vain. Indeed, simple failure of
duty was not the ouly injury we suffer-
ed in some quarters; several officials re-
strained their subordinates from action,
and the Democratic Collector of the
port Of San Francisco, choosing the ex-
treme in dangerous example, withdrew
from our committee, Of which he had
been Treasure, BY the following letter,
at the most critical period Of our labors:
"SAN FRANcIsco, CAL Aug. 8, 1853.
"MY DEAR SIR: You will oblige me
by stating to the Democratic State Cen
trail Committe, of which you are Presi-
dent, that / must decline to act as the
Treasurer of the Committee, and will
thank them to nominate some one from
San Joaquin county, to act in my place
upon the Committee, as l shall not have
leisure to devote as much time and at
tention to it's duties as the Democracy Of
San Joaquin might desire.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
RICH'D P. HAMMOND.
"DAvID c. BRoDER1cK, Esq,
president State Ceu trail Committee. >
The Committee of course could moi
misunderstood the object of this letter
but they were not SO deficient in expert
encc, or regardless Of the safety of Affairs
as to publish it at such time. They
therefore laid it on the table, and paying
no regard to its purpose, despatched tht
Finance Committee to the writer Of it
and to the other heads of department il
the Custom House, for subscriptions Il
carry on the war. But all aid was il
effect refused. Some inspectors, indeet
faithful among the faithless, forwarde'