The Shasta courier., 1855-12-08
From The Pennsyluanian.
The Biglcr Brothers.

1t will be seen 10y the news from California
/ that the Know Nothings OF that State have elect
ed their entire ticket John Rigler the present
Governor, who. as IA legislator, and Chief Ma
gistrate, had performed signal services in shap-
lug the policy and directing the infant steps of
that young and furnishing commonwealth
who had done SD much to elevate her moral and
political characrer-who had repeatedly defed
the menaces of the gamblers and spurned the
insolent demands of the money changers and
speculators-who had 50 often, by the .iudicious
use of the veto power, protected her Golfers
against schemes of loose and prodigal legisla-
| iion, has fallen at the hands of the Know Moth
ing Order, as did his brother in this State, un-
der similar circumstances Il year since.
We were not, it is true, entirely unprepared
{ II the result; for events in the Atlantic States
had admonlshed ns of the power of this Secret
Order IN first contest, as Instanced in our own
city and State. lis first blows have been its
most etiectual; and we venture tue prediction
now, that it has gained its last triumph in Cali
fornia, as all agree it has in Pennsylvania.
There is something touchingly interesting in
the career of the Bigler Brothers; and we can
not refrain from brief reference to the most
prominent features in the lives of both on this
occasion. They are Pennsylvanians by birth,
protestants in their religious belief, and print
ers by profession. They commenced the career
of manhood without pecuniary means, or the
aid OF influential friends and were active poll
| ticians In boyhood. Practical sense, sound iudg-
nent, great energy, industry, strict integrity,
constant devotion to duty and fair speaking
ability, are the leading characteristics of both.
The California brother had a much longer edi-
toria career than he of Pennsylvania. By the
year 1870. both had performed valuable services
| III the Legislature OF their respective States. In
1851, the elder, John, was elected Governor of
the youngest State in the Union. almost on the
| shores Of the Pacific. Within few DAYS of the
| same time, the younger, William reached the
same high trust in their native State on the At
| lanllc. In terrible struggle against all the
eiements OF opposition to the democracy in 1851
| the latter was triumphan,ly sustained. In 1854
with all parties acknowledging the soundness
| OF his general policy as Governor. and his per-
sonal devotion TO what he deemed to be right,
he was stricken down by the Know Nothing Or
der in n distinct contest for the constitutional
rights OF the State, and the civil and religious
liberty of the people. The former had triumph
| cd IN California in IA first and second contest,
| anu in lS53 had maintained himself, with the
entire press OF the State united against him, and
The combined influence of a band of reckless spe-
cula,ors who designed to prostitute the govern
ment to their base purposes. At a subsequent
session of the legislature, he signed bill TO snp-
prcss the vice of gambling In the face of threats
| ot violence to his person. He also vetoed the
famous Estell b |. and many other measures cal
culated TO entail an immense debt upon the
State, and thus exacted from all parties the need
of praise due a good and faithful servant. In
the late contest, in the of his brother of
Pennsylvania. all parties conceded to his own ad-
| mnisiration peculiar merits, and to himself hon.
esty of purpose Sta ndins on the Constitutions
al rights of the State and the citizens of each,
irrespective Of nativity or religions persuasion
as distinct Platform, with scarcely sentence
from the press against him, he was made the
victim of the midnight Order. headed by H. s.
Foote, e. Marshall Bailey Peyton, and others.
His opponent, Johnson, was elected by about
1000 votes. AS the Pennsylvania Bigler defeat
ed the Pennsylvania Johnson, in 1851. so the
California Johnson in turn worsted the Califor-
/ mia Bigler in 1855.
On what theatre the brothers will appear
next. we know not but we are mistaken in the
generous impulses of the democracy of both
States, if either should he permitted to live long
| without witnessing signal vndication OF his
character and principles against the unjust pro-
scription of the Know Nothing dynasty.