Butte record., 1854-03-04

Slave"
With the iron stick of a compositor in the
left-hand, sleeves rolled up-the right hand
prompt to execute the bidding of the brain,
We approach the case-eschewing all manu-
scripts. as but necessary for those whose fine
spun honor depends upon the carefully formed
sentence-or to those who find it necessary to
engage in plots to protect the interests of the
dear the people The pen too, ''that mighty
instrument of little men, oft ''plucked from
the pinions of one goose, to spread the opin-
ions of another" we leave unplucked, to aid
the ambitious flights of its parent bird We
chronicle no suggestions of n friend at our
elbow" but talk as we feel, regardless wheth-
er it meets the approval of bloodless commits
stoned valor-agrees with stern honor's
'death's head and cross bones,' or whether it
offends honor that can be established and sus-
tanned by descent into the Fish Market Of
Balingsgate
We dislike all personal controversy in the
columns of a public journal, and must dis
claim all intentions to create or continue any
thing of the kind. But we feel that ''the
time for argument has arrived and will pro-
ceed accordingly. In making our appearance
before the public. as we did during the dis
cussion of an important political question, it
seemed but natural that in joining the issue,
we should enumerate those who differed with
US, upon the question before the public, that
they might have the full weight of authority
on both sides. In saying that certain papers
chad gone snaeks to secure the State Print
ing" we quoted the then uncontradicted
authority of cotemporary. To this un-
important allusion to the assertion of CO.
temporary, was hurled back the charge of
''calumniat of not being consistent"
and the bribery question alluded to as ''a fam
lily" matter, in such manner that the reader
might infer that we belonged to the whig par
ty, but would also admit of being explained
as beloning to this (Butte) county.
Here we paused, for we are frank to confess
that we are no advocate for an appeal to arms
to settle every little matter of difference that
arises between neighbors. With all due re-
spect to honorable gentlemen who think diff
ferent, we have always felt that it established
no right, and reflected honor upon none. That
it was but blind adhesion to barbarous
code that belongs not to this advanced age,
as our Statute affirms. That it was an evil
that should be discountenanced by every per-
son who would ''circumscribc the passions of
erring man. 1t isimpossible for us to believe
that there is any honor attached to such an
appeal, and in proof of our sincerity we have
pursued our course, without stepping aside to
''tread upon a reptile" Whether such
course meets with approval or condemnation,
we care not-being satisfied that all whose
good opinion is worth having, will not be es-
tranged by the avowal of such sentiments.
But we have digressed.
We paused upon the reception given our
first effort, and was disposed to retire from the
controversy; but motives purely philosophical
prompted US to proceed-dangerous though
it might be--but what untrodden paths of
philosophy are free from danger? We had
met with ''those who would not reason" and
set it down as consumate, bloated bigotry-
Being desirous of seeing more of the animal,
we proceeded. Philosophers have heretofore
surrounded the scorpion with circle of fire,
and in such cases, that animal inhicts the
death upon himself, that he is always ready
to inhict upon others. Some assert that the
movement of the sting to the head, is merely
convulsive, whilst others actually bring in a
verdict of 'sFelo de se." We are content to
consider the movement convusive one But
we had no idea of bringing such catastrophe
upon California. Had the animal exhibited
himself upon his first attack, sufficiently for
us to have determined its species, we should
not unwittingly forced it to create such
''stench in the nostrils of the public" In the
language CT Sir Andrew Aguecheek-"an |
had known he fenced thus, | had seen him
damned ere had fought him." He who car
ries such vessel of filth upon his shoulders
is free from any remark of ours-for the phi
losophical pursuits of man, or mans hopes of
heaven, would not induce us to again upset it
upon the poor, devoted public. Should any
inquire why we have not treated insulting
language in different manner, we answer
if Marysville has nuisance, she also has city
authorities. We shall not usurp their power
for the purpose of removing it, even at the
risk of being prescribed as 'sbolter"
Conscious that we have not on TRACED public