The weekly Columbian. [volume] (Columbia, Tuolumne Co., Cal.) 1856-1???, 1856-10-25
The News from Callfo rnia-Voluntnry Dis
banding Of the Vigilance Committee.

Now that all the difficulty with regard to the
Vigilance Committee is over, it may be well to
give the opinion of leading Atlantic papers
concerning its termination. The following is
from the n. Y Herald of Sept. 2oth:
oThe intelligence which is brought us from
California By the mails of the George Law is
of an important character. It appears that on
the 18th of August last, after grand military
parade, the Committee of Vigilance, at San
Francisco, voluntarily ceased to exist lts re-
spective companies were disbanded its militia,
nv organization was dissolved, and nothing re-
manned of it but an Executive Committee Of a
merely nominal character. One of its last
acts was the release of Judge Terry, who's
victim having recovered from what was deemed
a mortal wound, stood no longer in the way OF
the Judges discharge. The termination of
these difficulties was not marked by any fur
Their disorders-eyeryt thing went on as If moth
ing extraordinary had happened. The exis-
tence of the Committee was but apolitical pa
renthesis, which is now left out. without inlu-
ring the sense of anything The sloop-of-war
John Adams arrived in port few days previ-
Gus to this event, and her commander used his
influence for the release OF Judge Terry; but
the Committee acted upon their own motion
and in their own way.
Thus has ended very remarkable phase,
not only in the history of California. but in the
history of the United States. Those who pre-
dicted reign of terror, or suspected the I'M
derlaying of spirit Of disunon and secession.
have been, we are happy to say. greatly mista-
ken. 1t is to be observed that this spontaneous
movement of the people of San Francisco had
peculiar object 1t was not to create, but to
put down disorder; not to overthrow, but to Sc
cure the supremacy of the laws; not to do any
violence to the State, but to preserve tranquility
Their arrangements, though effective, were
merely precautionary; and moderate counseIs
wonderful as it may appear-marked their pro-
ceedings during their three mouths admins
tration. If absolute necessity, if the most ap-
palling danger. if perfect insecurity OF life and
property be any excuse for the assumption OF
extraordinary powers, the friends of the Com
mittee claim that they are excused. The readi-
ness with which they have laid them down Ger
tainly vindicates the honesty and integrity of
their motives. At ell events, an important
problem has been satisfactorily solved. which
affected the American character and threatened
the stability of our institutions.
It was supposed by many that the dissolution
of the Committee would not have taken place
until after the election. at which it was expec-
ted their influence would be paramount and i'm
munity secured; but they did not wait for that;
they have submitted themselves to the calm
Judgment Of the people. and California is now
tranquil The people having successfully tried
their strength, will, we trust. be able to sustain
themselves from any future outrages by an APP
peal to the ballot-box, and the exercise of their
ordinary and legitimate remedies. 1t appears
that our institutions are. after all, triumphant
over all the incidental difficulties which belong
to political communities; that the masses rely
on them as their best and safest citadel, and
that their loyalty to the constitution and laws
under which they have been bred and prosper
ed is proof against every trial; their first and
last thought in every danger.
Whatever instructions President Pierce and
Secretary Davis may have sent out to the feu-
DIAL authorities in California. it is fair to sup
pose that they will he a nullity when they
reach their destination 1t is not probable that
the administration, in the present position of
affairs, will aid the local authorities in making
any arrests or in creating any greater hostility
to the democratic party than now prevails in
that State.