Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-08-06
UNmber 49,
NEWS OF n IEY.
The California Vigilance Committee.

secret, whose names even are not known,
and whose crimes already committed leave
them no hope but in continuing the dread
full system of prosecution and terrorism which
have inaugurated. They have even
gone so far, it is stated, as to project the sep
%aration from the United States. On the sub
ject the New York Post says
Over three hundred Frenchmen, we'll drill
ed and good soldiers, have, we understand,
taken service in support Of the committee
and, indeed, we are advised, have the con-
troll of it, with the countenance Of Mr.. Consul
Dillon, whose avowe d object is the organiza-
ton into an independent power. Nothing
in the history of the French Revolution is
more revolving than the system Of secret and
bloody prosecutions which they have adopt
ed and unless the national government in.
%terferes soon, California will, inevitably, be
deluged with blood. The press is no longer
free, and the citizens, who deplore the acts
which they can not prevent, dare not COM
municate with the eastern journals, for fear
Of being traced and charged with some mag
mary crime, and consigned TO n dungeon or
tho yallows by n packed On intimidated jury.
By the Illinois steamer we have an account
Of the arrest Of Judge Terry, of the Supreme
Court, and his Imprisonment for nearly a
fortnight. attended with circumstances OF pc
euliar outrage and indignity, because he re-
sisted the arrest Of n man by the name Malo-
nv, by the officers of this self.constituted
government. The letter from his wife, and
his reply, which we quote, best illustrate ITS
fell aud proseriptive spirit. No one dares to
utter IA word against its doings, or he is
spotted :" n circle is drawn around him
from which he cannot escape; he Is watched,
night and day, and all who countenance him
or give him business, and if the offence is re-
pcated the offenders are ruined. In this de-
plornble state of things the State government
is perfectly powerlcss and the general gov
ernment appears to be Indifferent. As yet
no effort, So far as we know, has been made
at Washington to restore the supremacy Of
the law, aud the time is rapidly approaching,
TO all appearance, when California will have
90 be ~re-conquered 'or one star will have to be
erased from our national banner.
The letter from Mrs. Terry, referred to by
the Post, is dated June 30, and IN it she says:
"Up To last Saturday morning | had been
allowed to visit my husband at intervals in
his confinement. Since that time | have
been refused admittance. On Sunday morn
ing | visited his prison and was refused
On Monday morning / made personal appli.
cation with the same result. | then begged
that my husband might be allowed to write
10 me and inform me of his welfare. | ask
cd that an open note from me might be tax
en- to him il was permitted. | then re-
questol of the committee in writing that
might be allowed to see him. | was told a
reply would be sent to me between A and 5
o'clock. None came.
After it grew dark in the evening, unable
longer to bear the suspense, | went down
again. | was refused admittance. As | was
retiring n gentleman asked me if | had re-
ceiyed u letter from my husband, because
one from him had passed the board, and
must be lying on the secretary's desk. He
went in and obtained it. 1t was open. On
Tuesday morning, at nine o'clock, | attended
again, and was informed the board had no
met. A gentleman offered to subnAit my re-
quest in writing, " to see my husband on pc
cuniary matters, though it should be in the
presence Of witnesses" The following reply
was sent to me about twelve o'clock.
"Admittance denied. For the presen
Mrs. Terry can communicate on bushes
with her husband in writing. July l."
The only communication / have had in an,
manner is my husbands letter. After it ha
passed the scrutiny Of the board it can n
longer be regarded secret. | give it below
simply, and rs It's.
forbear to add a word of comment upo
all | have recited. For my husband | as
only this: If he has offended, let him b
tried in open court before an impartial trit
unal, and by laws which always have bee
heretofore the common heritage of all Amel
leans.
The San Francisco Herald, one Of the tw
journals that have resisted the VigilanC
Committee from the start, suggests that -
"When the news reaches the city of Ne
York of the state Of things existing in tn
town, shippers will hesitate to- ship larg
cousignments as heretofore to this place. an
the comparatively smaller shipments wi
cause u rise in the price of many articles
merchandise. Will not many of the social
cd Committee in that event reap n monstrou
profit on various descriptions of goods whic
they may have in store? 1t is well know
that u majority Of the Executive represer
the mercantile interest of the country.
there not n species Of selfshness underlyin
this bold movement Of the Committee ?
the excitement Of to-day subsidies will thei
not be an interval when the usual amount
goods sent Us from the East will be reduce
many fold? And are there not many WI
are ready to take any advantage Of such
change in the market ?"
Tho journals in the interest of the Wig
auce Commcttee laugh to scorn the applic
ton 10 Governor johnson for aid from ii
Federal Government. The Ev'g Bullet
speaking " by authority Of the Vigilan
Committee, for example, says -
1--WE douot anticipate that this appeal W
be successful. Long before an answer to
can reach us, the work Of publication a
regeneration will be accomplished, the wol
of our criminals will be driven from 0
midst, and we have no fear that the day W
arrive when such citizens as we have bani,
ed, are forced again upon us at the point
the bayonet by the United States soldiers,
"Ifthe Federal powers that be- are wi
the action Of Gen. Wool in refusing to supy
arms and ammunitions to the traitors who
arrayed against CALIFORNIA; best intere
will 90 far to convince them hat the app
of Gov. johnson is uncalled for, and that
has no right to array himselfin opposition
the clearly expressed will Of an overwhel
ing majority Of the people of this State.
call out the troops Of the United States
put down nine-tenths of the citizens o
State engaged in the legitimate work of
forming domestic abuses, would be cond
unparelleled rs il would be tyrannical. :
sympathies Of the American people will
with us on calm consideration of the ia
and he wiH be a bold President icho dare
take steps IN opposition to the sentiment Of
people, particularly on the eoe eta PreSiden
election.
Dead. Aman by the name of Tho
Highland was found dead on the outsk
of Winston, N. G., on Saturday morni
26th inst. He was seen about the p
.ho oyenino before. quite intoxicated