The weekly Placer herald., 1855-07-28
Letter from Mr.. Th0rndike.
WISCONSIN HILL, July 23d, 1856

WISCONSIN HILL, July 23d, 1855.
Mr.. Editor:-Having been nominated by
the Democratic Convention that assembled
at Auburn. on the 18th inst, to the office of
Assemblyman. and as | was not present at the
Convention. it may not seem improper for me
TO address few words to those, through
whose influence | received the nomination,
and to all those. who may see fit to give me
their votes at the coming election.
The nomination to a position so responsible
was not solicited by me, Of this fact. those who
have known me for the last four years are
fully apprised. l am of the opinion that no
public office should be solicited, and that in
filing any Office within the gift of the people.
the public good alone and not the good of
the incumbent should be regarded. and Office
should be accepted only when the public
good will be in some manner subserved by
the acceptance
Had | been present at the Convention
should have declined the nomination as kind
ly rendered me by the unanimous consent of
a united Democratic party. A party whose
interests | have labored to advance, aud whose
principles | have tried to promulgate for the
last ten years. | should have declined, feeling
that there were others of the party more de-
serving, and better qualified, if elected, to
discharge the duties of an office so responsible
But now | am fully before the people, o
course. shall use all honorable means to secure
an election. And as much as | may desire to
be elected would not advocate principle
which has not been taught in the old Jeferso
nan school. or swerve one jot from the true
principles of Democracy. | shall not attempt
to war so much against the new political isms
of the day, as | shall strive to learn the wants
and wishes of the people of Placer county
| Wnul1 / II
IN any degree subscribe to the doctrines or
principles of the so called Know Nothing party
or any other secret political organization.
Always have opposed. and ever will oppose
any party not democratic in principle and
fail to see but little that could be called
democratic in party that aims to destroy
by secret oaths, the elective franchise of its
members. A party that proscribes men on
account of their religion and birth place.
There is much | might refer to relative to
what measures legislator may be called
upon to advocate at the next session OF the
Legislature. | refer only to those which are
among the most important, and TO which my
attention has been called by my friends since
my nomination. | have bean asked whether
if elected. | would vote for a Phohibitory
Liquor Law. In answer to this. | would say
that | believe it unwse to legislate in advance
this conviction should hesitate to give any
support to law that a majority of the people
did not want.
But | believe the time has come. or is not
far distant. when the people of California will
say through their representatives hat they
must have a Prohibitory Liquor Law, and
were permitted would lend my feeble efforts
to place upon the Statute Book of California
such a law. though not as stringent in its
nature as the Maine Law. A law for the better
observance Of the Christian Sabbath believe
is needed. Business contracts entered into on
the Sabbath should not be binding or obi ga
tory upon the parties. Would heartily favor
any law which has for its object the advance
ment of California morally. relgiously and
politically.
1t will devolve upon the next Legislature
to select two United States Senators. The
selection should be a wise and IudicOis one.
Party feeling and political bargaining should
be forgotten. and men selected whose ability,
moral honesty and political integrity can be
relied upon. Men who know no North nor
no SOUTH and who shall be united in their
efforts to perpetuate the Union of the States
so sacred so dear to every true lover OF lber-
ty-and to every true American heart.
heartily endorse the resolutions as passed by
the Democratic State Convention. also those
offered by Mr.. O'Neil. at the Democratic Coun-
ty Convention held at Auburn. on the l4th
inst. Shall try to visit every town and pre-
cinct in the county. and shall at all times use
my best endcavors TO build up and strengthen
the Democratic party.
Yours respectfully,
AT