The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-21
THINGS IN CALIFORNIA.

in gold dust arrived by steamer Illinois on II tn
inst, at New York Duelling seems to have
become fashionable in this new State. The two
honorables, Messrs. Gwin and McCorkle, men,
bers of Congress, after exchanging three shots
Intellectually, with rifles at thirty PAGES were
reconciled by the mediation Of their seconds
Mr.. John Nugent of the San Francisco Herald,
was badly wounded by Alderman Hays, hav-
ing suffered compound fracture of the right
arm. 1t is hoped Mr. Nugent may escape the
necessity of amputation. DR.. A. B. Crane, for
merly of Louisiana, died on the 18th ult. from
the effect Of a wound received the day previous
in duel with Mr.. Edward Toby.
The Pacific published at San Francisco thus
speaks Of the duel between Messrs. Gwin and
McCorkle, after stating that the quarrel took
place at a horse race
"These men represent our State In Congress.
in which Office their conduct has more to do
with our reputation than it could have in any
other whatever; and, moreover, one of these
men, less than four years ago helped to frame,
and signed our State Constitution, which con-
tains this article:
Any citizen of this State who shall, after
the adoption of this Constitution, fight duel
with deadly weapons, either within this State
or out of it; or who shall act as second, or
knowingly aid or assist in any manner those
thus offending, shall not be allowed to hold
any Office of profit, or to enjoy the right of suE
frage under this Constitution
"lf law.makers, Senator'S, and Representa-
tives, occupying the highest position in the gift
Of the people, themselves set the most conspic-
uous examples of contempt of law, what force
or value can it be expected to have anywhere J"
Ii will be remembered that the editor of the
San Francisco Christian ADVOCATE offered Uncle
Toms Cabin as premium for new subscribers
to his paper, for which he was called to ac-
count by some of the political guardians of the
peculiar institution in California. After he
had made the offer, the editor says he feared
that he had COMMITTED blunderD but re-
sponses, almost uniformly from Southern
men" reassure him. He says:
ave have heard that those papers which es-
pecially attacked us and the work, have been
replied to by Southern men. We know moth
ing of the precise nature of the replies, having
never seen one, but they were such that the
unprincipled conductors Of those Sheets North
ern men, too, refused to publish them. From
those who are slaves to prejudices, or those
who barter away sincerity for gold, neither
truth nor justice can be expected.
"But We are receiving personal assurances
now, for which We feel specially grateful. One
brother writes us:
Perhaps you did well to state that you
were personally responsible for the offer of I'm.
Gle Toms Cabin, though 90 far as have read
it ito the 18th chapter) have found nothing
Of which the General Conference need be
ashamed have never read anything except
the Bible, which seemed to me more truthful
and think have lived in Virginia long enough
to form an opinion.
"The brother is a Yirginian.
Another brother, from North Carolina, says
he has known fifty Uncle Toms, St. Glars
Shelbys &c. Another Southern man, who al
most stopped the paper because the editor had
made this offer, has since read the work, and
commends it highly. He is delighted with it.
"What amused us most was the positive de.
claration of Kentuckian, that he knew those
Shelbys. About two hours after during which
time he had been absorbed in the book, b,
raised his eyes, full Of tears He caught oul
smile, and said, himself Shareholder, while b,
ooughed slightly, as if he had big lump in hi
throat That the work--ahem- -ahem-
somewhat exaggerated; that is--you know
ahem--dressed up affectingly'
"Some who at first cried out novel hav
read the Key and are sorry they said any
thing As for ourselves, we are a little afrai
of the Key though we have not read il, b.
/ II -. - A
exhibit the ideal so clearly, and of course ma.
lead to external or mere political excitement
Uncle Tom hits the principle of the Fugitiv
Slave Law, but it does not teud to political par
| ~ action. So our offer of Uncle Tom is neither
a wrong nor blunder. The second sober
thought of the people is always right
The Christian advocate also quotes from a
letter written home by Rev. A. Graham, Pre-.
siding Elder of Nj. f. Church South, dated
December 27, 1852. We copy portion of it
:" suppose you are chiefly concerned to know
how we are prosperng as Church We have
not done as much as those who know nothing
Of our difficulties think we ought to have done.
The political sentiment Of the people is in
our favor, but the religious sentiment is most
ly against us. About two-thirds of the reli.
gious population here are from the free States
and have been, or are now, Abolitionists. The
very fact that We are from the South, and be-
long 10 the M. +. Church South is sufficient
to prevent our usefulness to portion Of the
people ia every community.
There are some men here who would be the
most violent Abolitionists in the land, were it
not for the influence of our Church, little as
it may be regarded by some. believe that
the members Of other churches, together with
some people Of the world would form Abolition
societies and have Abolition lectures all over
the State. Thore is the material here for set
ting on foot and carrying forward every ultra
ism of the North. This is confined mostly to
the Northern churches No man who is seek
ing Office will acknowledge himself an Adolf
ZIONIST it h unpopular--so much 80 that none
but the conscientiously religious (tanatics) who
are dead 10 praise, and the fool-bardy, dare say
they are Aboltionists. II is good for us to
hope for better things from the religious por
ton of the community. five had more preach
ers here, and better hold, other churches
would respect us more, and cease these little
things which annoy us. The two papers pub
Esbed by the Northern Methodists and Pres
byterisns are meddling with politics all the
time, but are held in check by the other papers,
especially the Christian Observer"
A correspondent Of the New York Tribune
gives deplorable account Of the misery, vice,
immortality, blasted hopes, and impotsnt regrets
of many who have gone from the States TO bet
ter their fortunes in the land of gold. He says
al have seen young men, who left good situ-
atoms in stores and Offices at home, pling up
lumber here on the docks, washing dishes, and
doing the most mental service in restaurants
and hotels; and others, who are unable TO End
any work, which from their physical constitu-
ton or habits Of life they are competent to per-
form-and know Of macy, and heard Of many
more-who are working for twenty and thirty
dollars q month, and hundreds who are work
ing for their board, and glad Of the opportunity
to do that
"Good carpenters, whsn they can obtain work,
go L. 49, k,Ck A..