The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-28

The NEWS FROM CALIFoRNIA.-By the Illinois
we learn that the representations by those who
foretold the speedy extinction of the Vigilance
Committee, and the re-establishment of the Flaw
and order" that is to say government party
were wholly unfounded. The Vigilance Com
mittee is still in session. it still rules San Fran
cisco; it still continues to make arrests and exile
obnoxious persons. The Governor seems to
have relapsed into his former state of apathy and
Indifference, at Sacramento.
The sign, it need hardly be said, is healthy
one. Had the Vigilance Committee been crushed
out-as there was at one time some reason to be-
lieye they would be-their fall would have been
the triumph of the ballotbox suffers, and no
thing would have been left to the quiet citizens
of the State but to leave it and seek new home
abroad As it is, they bid fair to accomplish the
main ends Of their organization, and to leave the
people of California in more healthy condition
than they ever occupied.
The time has now come when they must look
to final results, not temporary shifts. The crimi-
nails whose arrest and punishment it was their
prime object to effect, are now either exiled OF
punished. Public attention is drawn to the radi-
cal vices which rendered their organization a
necessity, and no doubt variety Of special
remedies for the various evils of their political
practice have been suggested. The time is now
drawing near when some endeavor must be made
to realize these suggestions, and to restore the
government of the State to those who are paid
for looking after it. We may expect to hear by
every steamer that compromise had been effect
ed between the Vigilance Committee and the
Governor, and that the latter has again resumed
the reins Of authority.
In this connection we will remark that some of
our contemporaries Philadelphia journal of con-
siderable circulation, among others-take the
side Of the Governor and denounce the Committee
as rioters. This appears to arise from superb
cial view of the subject. No doubt the Committee
are acting in contravention Of law; but not more
SO than our forefathers did when they declared
their independence. And to argue, as our Phila-
delphia contemporary does that this is not revo-
luton in California, because no attempt has yet
been made to alter the constitution of the State,
is to confound constitutions and laws sadly. 1t
admitted on all hands that the provisions in the
constitution of the State, which was framed for
the purpose Of securing democratic liberty have
been so distorted and nullifed in practice as to
become wholly useless. New provisions are need
ed; and it is required that some contrivancc be
devised by whose aid the ballot box stufing and
other enormities Of the old era may be rendered
impossible. 1t is also desirable that provisions be
made for the better administration of justice
throughout the country. And the wish has been
expressed in many quarters for the division Of the
State into two parts, whereof one shall be slave
and the other free State.
We presume that these questions are engrossing
at this moment the attention of the Committee,
which will doubtless present the matter to the
people before they resign Office. California needs
no alteration of her constitution; but she does
mccullough not more urgently than some of
the Atlantic States-a publication Of her polt-
ical practice. That may possibly be facilitated,
if not effected, by few additions to the consttu-
ton. When that is done the Vigilance Committee
may make room for the old government.