Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-11-15
The United States Senate.


of the Legislature just chosen, will be the
election in joint convention of two United
States Senators to represent California in
the National Councils at Washington. Dur
ing three sessions of the Legislature, last
past, this Senatorial question has been a
bone of contention, producing unheard of
strife and excitement in the Legislative body
itself, and not little of the same feeling
among the masses of the people. The time
has arrived, however, when it must be set
tied definitely settled-and it is left to the
Democracy to do it, That it will be post
poned for any considerable time after the or
ganization of the Legislature, it is not rea-
sonable to suppose onany account. The De
mocracy are largely in the majority, over
both Know Nothings and Republicans, in
the Senate and Assembly; and they would
be faithleSs to their constituents, should they
fail to perform this very important duty
and that too without delaying it from day
to day, thereby clogging the general business
of the session. AT best, one Senatorshp
will have been vacant for two years. and
should the coming Legislature fail to elect
we would be left at the incoming of the new
administration, totally without representation
in the upper branch of the National Legsla-
ture 1t is their bounden duty to elect two
Senators, Immediately after the necessary
preliminary business Of the session shall have
been accomplished; and there is no reasona-
bic doubt but that they will promptly full
I'll it.
The Senate of the United States is an au-
gust body 1t is the highest legislative as
sembly known under our laws; and it may be
said that to become member Of it has been
the highest ambition of our greatest states
men, dead and living. There has been more
fame acquired in the Senate than in the Pres
idential chair. Who believes that to have
been President would have added to the
fame Of Hamilton, Calhoun Clay, or a
Webster? Who believes that to be Presi-
dent would add to the fame of n Cass or
Dickinson? No one Ambition points rath-
ct to the Senate, under our government, as
the place where genius seeks to write its
name in glory. 1t is indeed an ambition
worthy of the most exalted genius to have
ones name inscribed in the same book of his
tory with those of the great men of Ameri-
ca living and dead
Under these circumstances, it is Of course
to be expected that there will be numerous
applicants to succeed DR. Gwin and Mr.. Wei
Ter. There will doubtless be found men
worthy and men unworthy of such exalted
position, who would be willing to serve the
people; yet we cannot entertain fear that
the Democracy-tried as they have been
tried-will fall into an error, and select men
who will fail to render their constituents
faithful and efficient service That the De-
mocracy have able men in Californra-men
who, if brought in contact with them, would
not suffer by comparison with the statesmen
OF the present day in the Atlantic States
will not be denied Two of the commodities
of California are intellect and enterprise; for
hither have been attracted the bold, the dar
ing and the ambitious, from every State oi
the Union and from every Nation of The
earth Men have come hither who might
we'll cxclaim,
No pent up Utica contracts or powers,
But the whole bouudless continent is ours"
We have men of character in California
men who have made and who will make their
mark in the world. There is mettle among
us with the true ring in it. We do not lack
for men worthy to wear the Senatorial toga.
What, then, is the whole duty of the De
mocracy in the Legislature, with reference to
this matter? 1t is very simple, and may be
stated in few words. In the first place, the
people have just pronounced for Democratic
rule by majority totally unprecedented ii
the history of the State Whining minori
ties will not therefore put forward serious
pretention that they should have one of the
Senators. The people have demanded Dem
ocrats, and the majority in the Legislature
will not fail to give them Democrats. This
thing settled how shall the choice be made
as between Democrats Why, by mutual