The weekly Placer herald., 1855-06-30
National Wings Taking their Position.

National Whigs Taking their Position.
The last Sierra Citizen publishes letters
written by two influential wings of that coun-
ty, Col. r. H. Taylor, and William S. Spear,
of Downievlle. The former established and
edited the Marysville Herald, whig journal,
several years ago. and was also member of
the Whig Central Committee of this State
The latter. has been. heretofore, prominent
whig champion in Sierra county, but with the
know -nothingizing of the whig party both
gentlemen have preferred to act with the de-
mocracy rather than support any member Of
the secret order. 1t would be we'll for every
national whig in the land to read these letters
and consider them we'll, before they enter the
present political canvass. Col. Taylor says in
A CARD:
As my name has been pretty freely used in
this county, for short time past in relation
to political matters and as |. in common with
many Others have been called "deserter
from the Whig party "traitor to my coun-
try" and other like choice epithets have been
used towards me, deem it but just to myself,
and those friends whose esteem value, to
u
1t had for long time seemed evident to me
that the political campaign upon which we
are now Just entering. would be carried on
under a new issue. foreign to the doctrine of
either the Whig or Democratic party. The
Know Nothing movement had swept every
thing before it on the Atlantic side, and was
already making rapid progress in California.
Success always brings adherents TO cause,
who. though prompted by interest, are loud
est mouthed in prOclaiming their patriotism;
the prestige that had marked the cause of
Know Nothngism in the old States, drew to
its aid many in this State, who allowed them.
selver to be guided by, prejudice and interest,
rather than conviction and sound judgment
But one fact is glarngly apparent. the Whig
party almost en- masse have joined the new
secret party. The Whig party has been swal-
lowed up. and has no vitality aside from Know
Nothingism. The issue, then, is between the
Know Nothing party and those who are OPP
posed to it. So firmly convinced was !, that
the Whg Convention if called. would be en-
tirely controlled by this new element, unless
prevented by an open advocacy Of such libe-
raj principles as would keep out the adherents
of the new party, that at a meeting of the
| Whig Central Committee held oRthe 9th inst.
proposed and advocated the adoption of the
| following resolutions:
Resoired, That we are opposed to any in
reference with the naturalization laws OF the
United States, as they now exist
| Resolved, That we are opposed to proscrb-
ing any man from holding Office on the ground
that he is foreigner by birth, holding, as we
have always held, that 'honesty and capabil-
ty'' are the only qualifications required OF
American citizens.
! Resolved. That we utterly and entirely con-
denim secret societies for political purposes,
believing them to be antagonistical to the
principles of our government.
In these resolutions there is nothing repug-
nant to the principles of the Whig party. yet
/ there was an attempt made at once to stifie
them. A member very promptly said II vii
not second the resolutions" No one would
There were six of us present. l demanded
action upon them, that | might have guide
for my own conduct. After much talk, anC
the manifestation of considerable uneasinesi
on the part of five members of the Committee
vote was taken, myself only voting in thu
affirmative, the other five voting q trembling
negative
i then rendered my resignation as member
of the Committee.
\ have not been inconsistent. The moment
the present issue became apparent here
avOwed myself opposed to the Know Nothing
party, believing their doctrines to be illiberal
proscripive and unjust. and that their princl
pies are opposed to the spirit of republicanism
But in all this unless freedom of thought and
speech against set of principles not known
to the Whig party, will make me ''deserter,
| am not one. If an honest and conscientious
desire to see that wise policy continued which
has nourshed and built up our nation, Its
honor and greatness, constitute me "traitol
| IN nv cOuDtrv y then | am one
/ In the. present attitude Of political affairs
then, as there is really no Whig party. and al
a majority of those who have heretofore com
posed that party. are acting from motives
which cannot believe to be right. and upon
principles which l cannot aid in advancing
there is 10 course left for me but to act with
the party opposed to their contracted views
and illiberal policy. r. II. TAYMOR.
Downievilee. June 14th, 1855.
TO THE WHIGS OF SIERRA COUNTY
It is with feelings of the deepest regret that
am called upon to explain to my old Whie
friends my position in the present political
contest. Immediately on my return from the
Atlantic States found not sembance OF a
Whig party; but found many of the most
prominent Wings, either openly acting as
members OF the KnowNothing party. or vo-
ting their ticket. The nearer arrived home
the more heard Of detections in our ranks
and accessions to the Know-Nothings. Under
these circumstances felt myself warranted In
openly declaring that would vote with the
so called democratic party, or any other op
,,n..l to nr,ncinlnc which | cOnScientlOu