The Empire County argus., 1854-12-02

CALIFORNIA IN CoNGREss--Every State in the
Union is bound to feel the deleterous effects of the
introduction of the Nebraska measure. All will
feel its evil consequences in the impediment it
throws in the way of useful and practical legislation
But State will experience such disastrous results
from this ill-advised bill as California.
Nebraska necessarily re-introduccs the slavery
agitation into Congress. 1t necessarily leads to
repetition of those stormy which proceeded
the passage of the compromise measures OF 1901;
and the passions now SO inconsiderately unloosed,
will be far fercer and more savage then they were
five years ago. The next Congress will, from pres
ent appearances, be the theatre of the stormiest
contest which has occurred since the formation of
the Confederaoy. and the good and true men OF the
Union tremble for the result In the violent strug-
giles of sectional strife, all beneficial legislation Will
be impeded and the material interests of the coun-
try will be forgotten.
This Nebraska movement has already nterfered
with the Homestead Bill and the Pacific Railroad
the two great necessities Of the people at the
present time. Nor is it probable that those two
measures, so urgently demanded and vital in
their Importance, can become laws for time to-
come. They of pressing necessity to California;
but barren and idle controversy about wild and
almost altogether unoccuped territory threatens to
deprive us of the benefits accru;ng from the pas
sage of these measures. Our interests are lost in
the discussion of subject which can only lead to.
trouble and keep alive bitter and dangerous ami
mosities.
In addition to those general laws so specially i'm
portant to our State, the Civil Fund, due Califor-
MIA can hardly receive the attention of Congress.
In fact, what have we to hope for from the next
Congress According to the present appearances
the House of Representatives will be largely anti
Nebraska; and our delegates elect are known to be
strongly and decidedly Nebraskaish Had they the
capacity and power to make themselves felt in q
delberatve assembly-had they genius of the mere
medocrity their friends claim for them what
could they expect from the next House of Repre-
sentatives
Our present members Latham and McDougalI,
have been quiet and discreet upon this question,
which now shakes the Union; and were they in
the next Congress, we might hope in spite of un-
favorable circumstances to get some Legislation for
for California. But what will be the influence Of
men who vauntngly proclaim their advocacy of the
Nebraska Bill, and bazon it on their banners as
the distinctive mark of their political faith With
what jealousy will the next House regard every
measure which emnates from such menl! How
many enmites will any bill of theirs excite? How
many prejudices will they Offend and how many
votes for California interests will they ALLEVIATE by
their position the allabsorbing question of the
day
The only hope we have for obtaining any thing
from the next Congress, is from Senator who will
act with the anti-Nebraska majority. If we elect
Il man opposed to this constant and uncalled for
agitation of the slavery question: it is possible that
our State may obtain some of its rights and just
demands from the Federal Government Without
this, we look in vain to catch gmps of day all
is night and California will be mere cypher in
Federal affairs.
The choice of Senator next winter, is no ques-
ton of mere men. 1t involves the question whether
we shall or not send to Washington a man who
will have the ear of the majority in Congress-.
The election will decided whether not California
may, in the next four years. hope ior any justice
from the Federal Government. If we have Sem
ator of the same tune and temper with our mem
bers elected in the House, must rely ourselves
and our private enterprise for the construction of
the Pacific Railroad All discussions to the
route--whether it shall come by Mobiles Pass, by
the Tejon, Or by any other Pass-are idle and boot
less.
If the North--that is the northern counties of
California-desres a road by Mobiles Pass, let it
unite to elect man who can influence the majority
in Congress. Let it place in the Senate man
who can by party ties and associations prevail on
Congress to build the road. Then if Mobiles Pass
is the best route--as large number of persons
think-the road will come into Northern Califor-
MIA through that opening in the mountains. But
let us make some of the road before discuss the
route State Journal Nou. 81