The Nevada journal., 1854-02-17
{" The Secret Circular. y


written during the last Gubernatorial canvass,
by the leaders, and circulated for signatures,
among the knowing onss, of the Wing party.
This circular, proposes to change the name
Of the whig party--to adopt, as their creed,
some popular local measure, and derive there
from name, by which means they shall gain
the ascendency. This local measure it pro-
poses, shall be to call a convention for remodel
ing the constitution, and division of the
State. 1t is sighed by q names, of whom
four or five are generally known. and may be
called prominent men.
The object Of the democratic press, in pub
fishing this document, is not stated, nor are
we certain that imagination can satisfactorily
supply the deficiency. If it is intended to Gre
ate the impression that the men whose names
are attached to it had no right, as individuals,
to sign such a document, their democracy must
be of questionable character. If they mean
TO identify the great whig party of California
with this measure, their attempt is not only
vain, but even ridiculous, for out Of the 5000
wings in the State, they have succeeded in get
ting only II names. Moreover, the whig party
have already repeatedly spoken in voice not
to be misunderstood, against this scheme, which
has been so tcnaciously kept in agitation. If
they want to create tho impression that these
men are "THE LEADERS of the whig party, and
that consequently the whig party are response
hI. onfJ thouo ,,,Jo
something to talk about. To think that 81
men-third rate mon at best, aud but little
known, most Of them, should differ from the
party on any one question is horrible in the
sight of these harmonious democrats II is u
sin objectionable in the whig party, not that
the measure is Objectionable in itself. for
large number OF the immaculate democracy
themselves occupy the same ground.
The 4Ata of about the same date, also has al
article, casting some rather severe structures
upon the leaders . Of tho whig party in this
State and alleges that the great mass of wings
are of the most intelligent portion Of American
citizens, and arc usually opposed to fisorgan-
ization and 6llibustering. The Ahas article
has one merit which too often marks the edi-
torlals of that print-that Of ambiguity 1t is
uncertain whether it refers to this "secret cir
cular, or TO the removal question If it
means the latter, the leaders " of the whig
party rill plead guilty by thousands Every
town, and village in the northern mines-every
hill, gulch and rayne, will give its hearty res
ponse, IN favor Of the removal and permanent
location OF tie capitll at Sacramento
- But who are the WING LEADERS g. Who
ever heard of the great whg party being lead
by a clique of dozen or two scheming dema-
gogues? Who ever heard Of their following
sdch handful Of tillibusters, "as though they
had rings III their noses ?" It has long since
been settled that the wings bow to the dictates
of no clique And hence, in many instances,
the success of the opposite party, who act in
concert as dictated by their state, county and
township leaders. Freedom of speech and
action--Freedom to vote according to their
own convictions, is the great characteristic of
the whg party, who allow no demagogues to
tell them how to vote. But it is said these
men have been in the Legislature and there
fore, it is inferred. they must be leaders Now,
1t Is well known that the Legislature hasAevcr
yet conferred upon the State any great honor
nor have they ever so managed State affairs as
to gain the approval of the people. This, then,
gives them bat slight reason to be called +" lead
ers 4" On the contrary there are thousands of
men in the mountains, robed in red shirts, long
boards and rubber boots, and inhabiting deep
holes and canons, even better qualified to take
charge Of our Legislative affairs than they.
To speak OF these men-a handful of third
rate men-mQst Of them unknown, except in
their own townships as the +" leaders" of the
whig party, is giving license to speech hardly
recognized even by the usages of partizan war
fare--much less by decent respect for veracity
Then who are the Whig leaders? Washing
ton, Adams, Henry Clay and Daniel Webster
After these there are none-there never were
save the people, who scorn to be led by fac
ton of selfish demagogues who may seek to
turn popular favor to their own account to
their diminitive bodies with regal robes. Such
men sometimes essay to become. leaders, but
unfortunately for them, they too often find that
the people have yet decision and intelligence
enough to award to them the degree of merit
they deserved.
The attempt of the democratic press to
create capital ont Of his thing, is ridiculous
If they think it Of any Importance as politi-
cal affair, why not give US some idea of wherein
consists its Importance. 1t is too much like
big boys holding up to the gaze of little chill
dren, some dreadful image and crying raw
head and blocdy bones. Here are a set ol
big boys who are stupid enough TO think
all the rest of the world are little children
They pick up an old document, gotten up by Q
half dozen men to give currency to q favorite