The Empire County argus., 1854-02-25
ADDRESS
OF THE
NM -A ~ GD E0 E"Z
THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS
OF BOTH BRANCHES OF
THE LEGISLATURE OF CALIFORNIA.
IN PUBLIC MEETING ASSEMBLED.

sentatves. we occupy positions which enable us to
discover dangers which sometimes escape your eyes
and approaching the responsibilities imposed on us
agents we have proceeded, under the pressure Of
a great necessity, to meet in caucus, in order to
consult upon matters threatening the welfare of the
State and party and to take such measures subject
to your approval, as are warranted by the constu-
ton, and as seem in our judgment to be called for
by the exigency Of the time. These we, as ma
jorty of the Democratic members of both Houses Of
the Legislature, now respectfully desire to submit to
you.
The main of these measures is a resolution to en-
ter into an election this winter to supply the of
atornla becoming vacant in the Senate of the
United States on the 4th of March, 1853 (scarcely
more than twelve month hence y and the next, to
make cflecual protest against the interference Of
Federal power and patronage with the local legsla-
ton Of tAe 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 legitimate avas of the
late State contest; and upon the next indispen-
sbe for the preservation of our local independence
and our political sclf-respect.
There are two classes of reasons which have
brought us to these conclusions First because,
under the constitutions of the United States and the
State of California the present session is the legal
and proper one in which to provide for the forth
coming vacancy; and, second, because the condi-
tion OF the Democratic party, assaed anew by the
revived Vaccinations Of the Wings and Democratic
Boilers of the late campaign, recur2 at cur hands
prompt action and sudden check. In that memo
rabe contest, fellow citizens it was your steadfast
fidelity to Democratic order that saved our prnci-
Piles and preserved our ticket and now that same
spirit is again required. both from you and from us,
to Illustrate this supplemental and desperate attempt
to derange our discipline and TO deprive us of the
richest prize of hard-earncd 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,
cor ducted on the same principles, and worthy, we
believe, of the same ignomnous fate. We trace
the connection between these ncongruous elements
from the date of the : Secret Circular which was
to rive the Democracy in twain, and construct on
its ruins Convention (Whig) Party We fol-
low branch of the perturbed cabal 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 now naturally fused
together, and composing phalanx drilled for mis-
chief under . Secret Circular leaders, to be ma
n0uvred III compact operation the very floors Of
this Legislature.
The last effort of this unhappy coalition-whch
rs yet has succeeded in nothing-is to defeat tie
selection of Democratic United States Senator this
winter 1t is final spite of the opposition against
the Convention and Election. add they wage (
through a motion for postponcment, in order that
brand INTO the next general canvass, to consume
our narrow and aggregate maiorities to breed in
our largo and closely balanced counties bitter and
ilstracting feuds, and to slip between the striving
candidates Whig electoral majority, to curse our
empire in the national halls with barren sccptre
and divided rule.
Impressed with the danger comprehended in tins
state Of affairs: seeing it palmer from our positions
than you can see it, and being empowered by you
to deal with all such cxigencics, we followed the
immcmorial resource Of the Dcmocrrcy in times of
danger, and agreed to meet in council for the party
safety. To those wis differed with us in opinion
we offered the oliye branch of equal voices and pre-
posed to submit common views to fair debate
on the floor of Convention; but the invitation was
peremptorIly rejected our views were scorned and
the Opposition botcd the caucus: and. as it seems
they are disposed to bolt every action which they
cannot fashion, appropriate or control.
We Go not wish to infer the extreme of uni Just
motive against every one of the quasi members of
this supplemental plot and, in evidence of sincerity
in this respect will permit ourselves to review be-
fore you the reasons they set up sufficient for
fusing to the Democracy of California the priceless
benefit of one sxyfourth part of the government Of
the United States for six entire years. Except out
of respect for that portion which we concede may
have been in honest error, we would scarcely occu-
py our time and yours in such task
They object first to the constituonality of an
election TINS winter and insist that 1t Is out OF time
in short. too early by year. On this subject we
find the following in the Constitution of the United
States
ANr. l. Z B. Tho Senate of the United States
shall be composed of two Senators from each State,
choset dy the Legislature thereof for six years.
f. "1he times, places and manner Of holding
elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be
prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;
but the Congress may at any time by law make or
alter such regulations, except as to the place Of
choosing Senators
This is all the authority we find in the general
charter of the Government on the subject under
consideration, and upon its warrant, the State Of
California, on the Both of Janaurv, 1852, passed an
Act regulating the manner Of electng its t. s. SEN
ators; but aware, like the IT, S. Government that
no general rule could be prescribed to meet the un
fOrseen eX gences of all the States, it wisely alb
stained from fixing any special time for holding such
elections. The silence Of the Constitutions of both
State and Union therefore plainly direct ref
erence of the point of time to the discretion of the
Legislature.
Constitutions arc the carefully prepared Supreme
Law of States. They the work of patient inquiry
and careful deberaton. Within their scope moth
ing is overlooked nothing done in hurry. What
ever they do not prohibit, they permit nay, in !
omissions such as the one before us, they ordain
and their refusal to fix the time for such import
ant event the election of L. S. Senator, is Il
direct reference to that sube in its most extended
bearings. to the discretion of the State Legislature
In absence, however, of any of the special circum-
stances which seem to have been conceived when
hcse omissions were made, the obviously proper
ime for holding such election is, during the session