Butte record., 1854-08-05
The Whirs OF Piunss.


scientific discovery in political ethics Ac-
cording tc their preamble and resolutions
published last week) they have discovered
and announced the fact that ,''the tendency
of majorities in all popular governments is to
corruption" In other words that the people
are corrupt, and should not be permitted to
govern themselves too long. or they will be-
come dishonest and cheat themselves. This
was magnificent start for the committee on
resolutions, and we expected to see platform
enunciated, that would level the mountain de-
mocracy-mountains and all-hefore it, But
our expectations were doomed to disappoint-
ment The sum and substance of it amounts o
this -"The tendency of majorities is to COR
ruption and Peck is honestr Bat to return
to return to the first proposition. The whig
party have SO long claimed the corruption
of ''the raseaily locofocos,'' that we doubt not
they really believe what they say. Like
some self made hero, they have told the yarn
until it really must seem to them that they
are uttering a well established TRUTH and the
!
(thank Cody and have enjoyed the respect Of
the world, generally, ard OF some few nations
in particular, They have enjoyed a prosper
ity uneqnalled by any other nation under hea-
ven and this too. while the people were large
| ly in the majority, with the fearful tendency
''to corruption" hanging like cloud over
item Again, the wing party may have ar
rived at the doctrine advanced by the Plumas
convention. from their intimate knowledge of
themselves. We shall not insist unon this
point however, as they might answer that we
were prejudieed. We content ourselves with
the mere suggestion, willing that our whig
friends should judge the matter, and if they
find verdict for defendants we shall not take
the trouble to appeal
The second . Whereas is given wholly to
flultfnding in which it seems to have been
very successful, as it is the longest paragraph
emanating from the committee on resolutions
But neither that nor any other paragraph or
resolution point ont remedy Latterly whig
conventions have wisely omitted to commit
themselves to any particular measure or mea-
sures, but content themselves with uttering
some acknowledged truism, and as in the last
mentioned paragraph. mentioning abuses
which the people havs demanded should be re-
formed In the good old days of Clay and
Webster, such was not the case. Then the
whig party were distinct and organized
body, protesting principles which dealt stall
wart blows upon their opponents. Now, they
are an extinct organization, and their main
argument is that there is no difference in the
two parties. This downfall of wbggeTy may
be traced as far back as the extinction of the
United States bank, the rejection of high
protective tariff, and of wild and extrayagant
schemes Of internal Improvement These
measures forming the nuelens around which
the whig party were gathered, having explo-
ded, and left them with nothing but the cohe-
sive "power of public plunder," to keep them
togS ther, they adopted hunbuggery and show
instead of Ir ncipies, they sought to gain by
the aid of military renown, what their prin-
ciples had failed to acquire But Scott did
not succeed, and the prophecy of the God like
Daniel was verified. The whig party are dead
1t is true they still eongregate, with the pride
and pomp of former days, present their can
didates and resolso-'o support them! They
do not present to the people single good, bad
or Indifferent measure. They condemn what
has already been decided against, and pledge
themselves to use their utmost endeavors to
secure the election of the ticket they nomi-
nate. So in this county-in Plumas-and at
| their State gathering They are prepared to
to tear government to pieces, but propose
nothing in its stead 'sThey can tear down a
palace, but cannot erect pig.sty"
The third and last cla,o of the preamble
in our humble estimation is correct in every
particular. We hope the voters of Butte Co.,
will read it, ponder it, and VOTE it. This Co..
has sent men enough TO the legislature VIII.
had no interest in the county, or in our
welfare as State. We hope the voters of
Butte and plumas counties will adhere to the
doctrine-to support no man who is not per-
manently identified with their interests.
Then follows the resolutions: The first con-
demns especial legi-lation." but specifies no
acts. The 2nd. condemns the legislature for
remaining so long in session. The Sd, Gu
dorses Peck and the 4;h and last, resolves to
support their nominees Shade of Clay amt
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