The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-08-06


fornia, and supported by another, without
much reference to politics. He is bitterly
condemned by all who support the Vigilance
Committee and its acts, and defended by those
who are for law and order. The first party is
undoubtedly the stronger As he was former
ly citizen Of Evansville, we think the follow
ing article from California paper, which ap-
pears able MD the excitement to look at the
whole matter in calm, dispassionate manner,
will prove interesting to his many friends
here: ~
GOVERNOR JoHNsoN.-Since the adoption Of
the Federal Constitution never has the Cover
nor of State been as peculiarly situated as is
j. Nicely Johnson at the present time. He is
not only denounced by the great mass Of the
people friendly to the Committee of Vigilance,
but by the law and order party also; at least
such may be inferred from the tone of the jour
mails on both sides.
1t has been the aim of Governor johnson
from the first to avoid a collision with the
Committee of Vigilance-to prevent the she'd
ding of blood, which at one time seemed al
most inevitable, and which calamity was avert
ed only by the most careful and conciliatory
movements. On the one hand be is blamed
for cowardice and indecision, in not declaring
San Francisco in state of instruction upon
the first organization of the Committee, and
with a few hundred hastily-enrolled men, in
sanely attacking the people and deldging our
streets with blood; on the other, he is censured
for issuing the proclamation at all, and soundly
abused for daring to raise hand against the
Committee, sustained as they are by the peo-
pie.
1t is needless for US to say there is very lit
tie reason, sense or justice in all this. If Gov.
johnson has not acted like a jackson, he has
at least conducted himself with discretion and
careful regard for the lives and property of
the people; and when the exciting crisis shall
have passed, and the events now transpiring
shall have become matter Of history, j. Nee
ly Johnson's official course in connection with
them, will stand recorded in letters of gold
The actions for which he is now censured will
| yet become the theme of thankfulness and
praise.
! We do not pretend to argue that Gov. John
son pursued the only course which judgment
and patriotism dictated, or that he has done
as would all others under the circumstances;
but we do maintain, despite the condemnation
of one party. ana the abuse of the other, that
the moderation and wisdom which have un-
questionably actuated all his movements to-
wards the Committee-whether right or
wrong, impetuous or cautious, dignifed or 9TH
erwise-have spared bloodshed and the horrors
ofthe worst of wars. After a misstep has
been taken and the victim measured his length
upon the earth, it is an easy matter to point
out the cause of the catastrophe-mueh more
so than to have recommended the path by
which it might have been avoided. All as
sumo to be critics, yet where is the man whose
actions disarm reproach
What should the Governor have done p
tell us, we men of the press, who so tiercey
malgn him for what he has left undone p
Was it his duty to have stood between Casey
and the people, when the murderer was drag
ged from prison, and with few score Of men,
confronted the determined populace, and del
uged our streets with gore ? Law and order
fanatics say aye, but who else is there but will
answer no? Could he, as sworn officer of
the State, stand with his hands in his pockets
while the laws to whose supremacy he was
solemnly pledged, were being openly and de-
family disregarded ? Certainly not; yet thou
sands answer yes. After he had issued the
proclamation, and ascertained the feelings Of
the people, should he have withdrawn it? Most
assurediy nos. By so doing he would have
acknowledged himself in the wrong, for the
object of that proclamation still remains unac-
complished. What then, was it his duty to
have done?-we refer to his general course.
not to any special action.
| NrSS1SS1ppY Prvrp R,C Tba O. -.