The Shasta courier., 1854-02-25
Address of Members of the Aesssiafnrc IA
voring the Election Of U. ,. senator
during the Present Session.

Address of Members of the Legislature fa-
voring the Election Of U. 3. Senator
during the Present Session.
Owing to the great length OF this document,
we are prevented from giving more than such
extracts therefrom as will enable our readers to
gather the general tenor of the positions therein
assumed. The Address commences as follows: !:
Sent here as your representatives, we occupy
positions which enable us to discover dangers
that sometimes escape your eyes, and apprecia-
ting the responsibilities imposed upon us as
agents. we have proceeded, under the pressure
of great necessity, TO meet In caucus, In order
TO consult upon matters threatening the welfare
of the State and party. and to take such meas
ures, subject TO your approval, as are warranted
by the Constitution, and seem In our iud G.
ments, to be called for by the exi gencies of the
time. These we. as majority of the Legisla-
ture. now respectfully desire to present to you.
The main of these measures is resolution to
enter into an election this winter to supply the
seat of California, becoming vacant III the Sem
ate of the United States on the 4th of March,
1855 (scarcey more than a twelvemonth
hence.) and the next, to make some efectual
prot est gainst the interference of Federal power
and patronage with the local legislation OF this
State.
We believe you will, on due examination
agree with us on the necessity of both these
measures; upon the first, as one of the legiti-
mate avails of the late State contest and upon
the second as indispensable for the preservation
of our local independence and our political self
respect
There are two classes of reasons which have
brought to these conclusions. First, because.
under the Constitution of the United States and
the State of California, the present session is the
legal and proper one i'll which to provide for the
forthcoming vacancy; and. second, because the
condition OF the Democratic party, assalled anew
by the revived Vaccinations of the Wings and
Democratic Boilers OF the late campaig On, require
at our hands prompt action and sudden check.
In that memorable contest, fellow citizens, it
was your steadfast fidelity 10 Democratic ORDER
that saved our principles and preserved
ticket; and now the same spirit is again re-
quired, both from you and from us, TO Illustrate
This supplemental and desperate attempt to de-
range our discipline, and deprive us OF the rich
est prize of hard-earned victory.
The epilogue of that contest is now being per-
formed, before us. 1t is directed, in the main
by the same characters, inspired by the same
motives, and worthy, we believe, of the same
ignominious fate We trace the connection be-
tween these ignominious elements from the date
of the Secret Circular which was to rive the
Democracy in twain, and construct its ruins
a Convention (Whig) Party" We follow
branch of the perturbed caba into the late State
Convention thence, we behold it issuing to
unite again openly in favor Of Waldo and the
Wings; and now we find both sections naturally
fused together and composing pllalanx drilled
for mischief, under Secret Circular " leaders,
to be maneuvred in compact operation on the
very floors of this Legislature.
The last effort of this unhappy coalition
which as yet has succeeded in nothing-is TO de-
feat the selection of Democratic U. s. Senator
this winter. 1t is final spite of the opposition
against the Convention and Election, aud they
wage it through motion for postponement in
order that the Senatorial question may be
thrown like frebrand into the next general
canvass to consume our narrow aggregate ma
ijorities- TO breed i'll our large and closely bal
anced counties bitter and distracting feuds, and
10 slip between the striving candidates Wing
electoral majority, to curse our empire in the ma
tional halls with barren scepter and divided
rule.
Impressed with the danger comprehended
in this state OF affairs; seeing it palmer from our
positions than you can see it, and being en-
powered by you to deal with all such exig
ces. we followed the mmemorial resource of
the Democracy in times of danger, and agreed
to meet in council for the party safety. To those
who differed with us in opinion, we offered the
olive branch OF equal voices, and proposed to
submit our common views to fair debate on the
floor OF Convention; but the invitation was per-
emptoriy rejected, our views were scorned and
the opposition bolted the caucus; and, as it
seems they are disposed TO bolt every action
which they cannot fashion, appropriate, OF con-
troll
Then the address goes on to show that the
election of Senator this winter is perfectly con-
stitutional, and in accordance with the prac-
tice of Legislatures In this last position they
maintain that they are sustained by the letter
of tue Secretary of the Senate heretofore pub
lished. After arguing this point with vast deal
more of ingenuity than ngenuousness, they go
on to say:
Law and practice-:he Constitution and the
weight OF custom-all repose on side; and
each will be violated, and our rights foregone.
if the election be illegally postponed and trans
ferred to the stormy centre OF a session during
wk1ch the vacancy occurs.
Moreover. an election next year, III addition
to being out of rule, would be dangerous in pol
Icy, inadequate to the requirements OF the State.
and unjust 10 the member who may be Seec-
ted for the place. Dangerous, because il
would imperil the safety of our party, and be-
cause 1t would enlarge TO us the risks OF the
next General Election. Inadequate TO the
cessites of the State because the ensn ng Legis-
exigency of an Executive Session on the 4th of
March, 1855; aud unjust, because 1t banishes
representative who has served his State suffi-
clently well to be rewarded, to take six years
exile at an honr's notice.
There obligations on both side; and
State which asks man. who may be largely
identified with her by widely distributed inter-
ests, to become her public agent Tor SO long
period six years. should afford him time a,
least, to wind up his personal affairs in man
ner not altogether ruinous TO himself In this
regard California stands differently from every
other State in the Union.
Ojection has also been made to an election
this winter on the pretence that ' the People
have not been consulted ON the Senatorial sub
Ject; y and 1t has been said by opposing minds,
that it is our intention 10 disfranchise the mass
es, and dispose of the question ourselves.
From YOU who know ms in our several con-