The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-26

The Democratic Convention assembled first
1t took ground against Convention at present
against monopoly, and against exclusive privis
ieges and, what was no less important, in IA
vor OF land limitation. This threw the Wings
INTO CONSERVATION. It was the very ground
the majority of them wanted to occupy. IL
would be useless for them to take it now. But
two chances were left them. One was, to join
issue with the Democrats; the other, to cover
all their ground, and something more. The
monopolists in their party advised the former
course, the anti-monopolists the latter. Their
committee on resolutions had hard fight, and
finally compromised by adopting neither.
Their platform was large-meant nothing but
opposition to John Bigler, and declarations in
favor OF retrenchment and reform. Unfortu-
nately these boilers from the Democratic
party, that now became such ardent reformers,
had themselves been the authors Of much of
the extravagance they complained Of The se-
cret of their opposition to Gov. Bgler was hos
tliity to the new Democratic creed, of which he
was now the chosen representative. His cleo
ton, under the circumstances, is most glori-
Gus triumph for these principles, and sure
pledge that, whenever they are fairly presented
to the people of California, they will be sus-
tanned by an overwhelming majority
This narrative of the past will throw light
upon the future struggles in the Democratic
party. Two or three hard battles are expected
to be fought at the approaching session of the
Legislature These will occur on the election
OF a United States Senator, land limitation,
and the continental railway. The reelection
OF Governor Bigler was considered certain
forerunner of the election Of the Hon. D. C..
Broderick to the United States Senate The
only hope his opponents have Of defeating him
is by deferring the election to another session,
thereby gaining more time to perfect their CO.
alition with the Wings. The true Democracy
will introduce bill applying the principle Of
land limitation to State lands, and probably q
memorial asking Congress to apply the same
principle to United States lands lying within
the State. There will also be an effort made
to give expression to the voice of California in
favor of enc of the routes, or at least of the
termini of the Atlantic and Pacific railroad The
Senatorial candidates of the monopOlists, as far
as their preferences are known, favor one of
the sectional routes, on or near the border of
Mexico. Mr.. Broderick is not publicly COM
mitted; but being free from sectional predilec-
tions and having the fear of neither pistol nor
bowie knife before his eyes, will be likely to
favor the truly national route, which, besides
being the shortest runs through the centre of
our territory.
The discussion of these questions will prob
ably result in drawing party lines according
to political afinities If Democratic Wings
will but unite with the true Democracy, it will
no: require the gift of prophecy to foretell the
result. The monopolsts know this, and will
resist all efforts to draw party lines upon prin-
ciples, unless they are quite sure Of gaining the
main body of the Wings. Their policy from
the beginning has been to avoid comnittals,
to conceal their designs. And the press of ell
parties has aided them in doing So
But brighter day is dawning upon us.
This party, pulled up by the acquisition of the
influence of the custom house, and having Sc
cured the Times and Transcript, late the or
gan of the Democratic party with several other
Democratic papers, has grown more bold. The
custom-house presses assume to direct the
course of the next Legislature. They have al
ready committed themselves and this will com
pei those of the true Democracy to define their
position. Already they are beginning to do SO.
The breach is fairly made, and every day must
widen it, Discussion must ensue, and this is
all that truth and sound principles require.
The people will get light that an honest and
an independent press would have given them
two years ago. Only let the people under
stand the real issue before Them, and they will
not fail to choose the right. OBSERVER