The Shasta courier., 1854-02-18
Dissenting Caucus.

ing of the democratic members OF tue LeSisia'
ture opposed to the election Of United States Sc
natur at the present session, and with 1t an
Address to the Democrats of the State of Cali
fornia,'' in which they state, in very clear and
them to oppose the action Of the first caucus.
We append portion of this document.
We believe The election this winter would be
premature.
The great beauty of our government is that
all political potrer belongs to. and emanates from the
people Hence the custom-hence the necessity
of bringing candidates for political favor directly
before the gaze aud scrutiy of the people.
Thus it is in the selection of all State. county,
and township officers. the people Judge Of the
fitness aud qualifications for Office.
Iu the selection however, of United States
Senator, the is very different. Here the
people elect their representatives to the Legisla-
ture. and they elect the Senator
Was 1t ever intended by the trainers Of the
constitution of the United States that the peop
should have an expression of their choice in the
selection of United States Senator's Assuredly
so. To say it was not, would be most foul aud
sacrilegious SANDER upon the memories OF the
great men who framed that Instrument
If Senator were elected three yeurs in adj
vance of his time, and the question of his cleo
ton was never mooted before the people, who
sent members to the Legislature, would this be
bringing the subject before the people for all
expression of their will? If Legislature should
elect Senator two years before vacancy could
possibly occur, (there being annual sessions
and The members who voted for the election had
never canvassed the subject before their consti-
tuents would it not be violation of the fnnda-
mental principle of our institutions and gross
fraud upon the rights OF the people We an
swer it would
The grand object Of the builders of this mag
nificent system Of government was. to bring ev-
cry election, as nearly possible, face to face
with the people. VIII the election this winter
maintain this principle? 1t will directly violate
it. Did the members of the present Legislature
the subject before the people of The diff
ferent counties in the last election campaign
We honnstly believe it was not discussed in a
single county in the State. Subsequently, how
ever to the general election. at a special one in
he county OF San Francisco, gentleman was
chosen who expressed himself at the time lavo-
rabIe to the election of senator this session.
also, at a special election in Gala
county, the gentleman elected expressed
himself against the election of senator this
winter, both in the nominating convention and
before the people at large. There has been no
general and emphatic expression OF public will
on this question by the people, and the effort to
make it appear so. only heightens the outrage
now attempted upon the prerogatives of the
people.
What has been the custom of the different
States OF the Confederacy on this question? Our
references not as full and complete we
could wish, but we find that twenty-five States
in the Union have prescribed by law, that the
Legislature last session preceding The vacancy shall
haze porer to elect.
The Secretary of the Senate of the United
States recently made an examination to the
time of Senatorial elections, from the present
period back to the adoption of the Constitution
of the United States, and found that there was
not single instance of the violation of this gen.
eral rule that the last Legislature preceding a
new Senatorial term, had the right to elect.
Custom everywhere makes the law. We are
not opposed to the caucus system. when it is
necessary to harmonize or concentrate the ac-
tion of the party OH men or on matters of policy.
which do not involve the surrender of princi-
pie; but when bold attempt is made, by the
of this system, to invade time honored usage
and long established custom, which now amount
almost to constitutional law, we repudiate it. and
deny The right of one portion of the Democratic
party Ia compel the minority to submit TO this
monstrous dctatinn.
Majorities may be wrong; and the action of
the accidental majority of the party in this in
stance ii it be majority. we honestly believe,
is an invasion of custom that has become as alb
solute as law. and as sacred as principle itself
Mr. Jefferson. in his first inaugural address, says
that the will of the majority is in all cases to
prevail but that will to be rightfu. must be
reasonable; that the minority possess their equal
rights, to violate which would be oppression.
We consider the action Of the majority in this
instance as unreasonable aud not to be regarded
because they would force the minority into eau
Gus, and make us blindy submit and vote for a
measure which we believe fragrant outrage
upon the sovreigniy of the people.
The Democratic rule, which is supreme law
with US, recognizes the right of the people to
govern and forbds the exercise of power not
intended by them to be delegated 10 their pres
ent representatives. We know that those who
sent us here did not intend, when they elected
us, to authorize to elect Z. S. Senator at this
session.
We cannot, therefore. as consistent Demo-
Gratis, assume this power.
II is urged by the friends of this measure that
1t is necessary to elect this winter in order that
the successful person may have time to travel
over the State, and study the wants of our peo-
pie. We say, in answer TO this. that if the neAt
Legislature elect III .inuuary. 1855, that the
cessful asplrant will have from that time till the
lst Monday Of December following, some ten
months. to travel ihecounlry, study the interests
OF the people, aud get to Washington city. But,
say the friends OF election, Dr. Gwiu's term ex-
pires on the Sd March. 1855. and his successor.
IT the next Legislature should delay the cleo
ton for two months cannot get to Washington
in time for the executive session, which will be
held after the adjournment, on the Sd of March
Now this is mere sound and fury which sgni-
fyeth nothing The only executive sessions we
have had for years (called especially by the
President have heeu Immediately after an in
auguration, to confirm the appointments off new
President.
We assert it as fact. that every precedent
that can be found as to the custom af The differ
ent States in eleciing United States Senators,