The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-05


TIE y.g-eaee Co.srsi.tee IN A3eyGncs, Not LsbGnG-
eG-Its tateatio. 10 BE- At0u, OF Eleetsos Day
Tn Gortrnog and TIC Committee-1He State
Proclamation sta ia Force Outrage on Pres
by,ersGn Clergyman for Condersaing the Acts Of
the Committee Uapopaiarity Of General Wool
Necessity Of Defining the Position Of the Nc
jor General Commanding the Federal Forces in
California Commercial Affairs, &c, &c.
Some time since IL was announced that the vigi-
lance Committee had disbanded. One familiar with
toe word, as interpreted by Walker or Webster,
would say that they had dissolved, broken up their
organization, had been released from pledges and
oarhs which men had taken when they became
members of the Committee, and that all vestige and
trace of the whole concern, as an organized body,
had been oblterated and forgotten. But such is far
from the case What is meant by "disbanded" in
the vocabulary of the Committee, is simply this:
That for want of material to work upon-from the
burden Of expense entailed upon them daily during
its COMMUNICATION some fear of consequences
(which they affect much to despise by its prolong
ed existence, and from the apprehension Of possible
difficulty with the chief and governing physical ele-
ment in the constitution Of the Committee
Uhe Germans and French) and also
from the absolute ruin, pecuniary and
otherwise, which threatened every interest
in the country if every department of the govern
ment were to be longer managed by mob, no mat
ter how systematic its proceedings might be, it was
deemed best to suspend active operations and to dis
pense with regular daily guards and wi night pa
trois. But as to any real disarmament, no such
thing has taken place; such thing is contemplate
ed; and so their presses here openly avow and de
clare. They announce daily and hourly that their
organization is as efficient to-day when they hung
Casey and Cora, and as when they arrested Terry;
and that single tap Of their bell will bring together
in the streets their armed lsgions, powerful for
good or evil ever. They go still further, and de-
clare that they intend If any occasion in their OPT
MON requires it, to again the rule of the city,
and sit in judgment upon life liberty and reputation,
as heretofore. They do not even stop at this They
assert their determination to supeintend the coming
State and Presidential elections, and to see that JUS
tice is DONE They do not to he sure, intend TO in
terfere with the elective franchise OF to curai the
independence OF freenen. They abhor too much
snv such restriction on the immuniies of voters
and will therefore abstain from infringing OF their
rights. II is their desire to have it understood,
howeyer-to use an expressive phrase-.hey will be
about on the day Of election, and people must take
heed as to their acts on that occason-the most |
sacred and which ought to be the eest o. al extra
reous influences in the eyes Of every intelligent pa-
triotic and right thinking American. This is the |
Vigilance Committee OF San Francisco, and, as they
claim OF the State, as disbanded II may be said, |
however, that the more rejecting portions of the
Committee, SHALL though such may be, land il pro-
baby amounts 70 one in a hundred OF the whole |
body) are satisfied that their doings have inflicted
lasting injury on California; and whatever may have
been the seeming ne .essity for its existence it has
thrown blight upon the character, reputation and |
prosperity Of the State both IA the Atlantic States
and in Europe which long years viii Lot eifaee, and
therefore, ii they have the leas. regard for the vital
interests OF the country, they viii be slow 70 give
another tap TO their ominous bell.
The Committee and their presses are very indig-
nant that the Governor should no, withdraw his
PROCLAMATION, which declares me country IN state
! oi insuiTect0n; and tney threaten al manner OF
bloody deeds AMI all sorts of destruction, If by rea
son Of the existence o. that proclamation, on the
day o. election the Supreme Court Of the state,
The code was made for their adJadica,on, were 70
determine that valid election could ttke place il
country declared by he executive-whch right Is
given ia express terms 10 That officer by The con-
stitution OF California to De in state OF nsurrec-
ton. II il really strange idea, in the face Of the
fact that the Commit zee, by its own public and re-
peated declarations made here every day, although |
Tor the moment inactive, is still an org inized boty,
and can at an hours notice, lie marshalied In full
force that the Governor Is IN error IN continuing |
in force his proclamation and that unless he with
draw it, blood and revolution are 10 elsue. These are
hattuil threats, repeated day after day, aud
on the subject are IL not known; but IL /
may reasonably be supposed he will be
regulated in his course by the Committee ITSELF
which ayows that il has still systematic existence,
end is Publishing a; the present moment, through it,
Secretary, in the journals Of this city, notice "
all members 20 come forward and receive their ser
t.fcaies Of membership. No later than yesterday
m "a n ar mr.
zane individual and OF the same official character,
giving in full the names o. the banished and those
who refused 10 leave AZ their oTdeS aud who still
IN the State; thus showing TO the people OF the
East that there has been no dissolution or dshand |
ment Of their organization. The aims Of the State
seized the waters Of the bay still retained by
then; and u a demand by the proper officers fof
their restoration a perempt0ry negative has been
returned. And vet the Governor is 10 be inundated
if he does not withdraw his proclamation. II he
does H. under such condition OF things, he IS IN
deed beyond resurrection.
Your correspondent may, and probably will, give
YOU in detail the history Of the risc, progress AID
decline OF tie vigilance Committee, and enaelvor
. exp ain 70 the people on the Atlantic sise Of The
continent what IL is y be supposed is not vet sis-
isctony c1mprehended by them-xhy II il, and aow
II Is, that such an organization, apparently en- bra
inr tie mass OF the population " great American
ciy, eoaiG have Teen created aud continued long
in existence exercising absolute power over life and
liberty unless society by is yices aud Is crimes
had become resolved into ts original elements, ant
that each mad persona, consciousness. that life
and property were Absolutely without projection. |
This prevalent idea ont OF California, and il -
the only rational explanation that can re given fJr
the rise and prolonged existence Of the VI g lnce
Coo luittee presu ming there il the ne amour; OF
in;ehgeace dIscernEent, personal sefrespect. |
and a high and solemn sppre sation Of whst - |
right here Ia city VI the same population /
In one % the old states. Here i precisely the /
error with people remote from our city, Whea |
the truth Is know, will be unfol1ei /
hereafter Il viii Re seen The whole foundation uppa
~. Nfrf nd
relv for rs justification falls 20 TIE c,ouui AMI
that the constant assertions tina. the great bb3y Oi
the Leople III san Francisco and ia the interior OF
the safe are with the Committee, and that there
fore they are right, ~, wnen alyzed not re-
fah A test of the entire corrcctae-. and Justice os
certain proceedings would he the II endorsed
w al equal Dpniber q people IN one Of the cd !
cautious aud time h0n0rel common weGlths o. the
-. r.irr Ill lrtuo