Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-08-19
THE RESURRECTION IN CALIFORNIA.

THE RESURRECTION IN CALIFORNIA.
Some persons were disposed to regard the lnsurrec'
ton in San francisco as simply local ana epheme-
raj ebullition Of popular passion; and SUCH we con-
fess was our view of tho matter. The reparatlon oil
dayrant wrong by q sudden outburst OF violence, 10
the natural impulse of the impetuous temper OF the
American people their habitual respect for law
is thought to be quite incompatible with the idea Of
premedtaed aud organized resistance to legitimate
authority. But the asceudancy Of the Vigilance Com.
mittee in San Francisco, exerted with so much dei6-
Grafton, upheld by an imposing display Of military
power and deliberately fortified against external as.
sault and internal decay presents every characteristic
of preconcerted rebellion. The fact is conclusive OF
the intent; and nobody can now question The nature
and design of the extraordinary movement in Cali
forpia. A Trustworthy correspondent reveals some
circumstances touching the conduct OF the Vigilance
Committee, which aggravate the enormlty OF their
proceedipcs His letter conveys information OF start
Iing interest to every well affected citizen Of the
country.
To the stability of no form Of government is the
example of successful resistance to authority SO fatal
as 10 a Republic. The voluntary acquiescence OF the
peopl. is the basis of such system; and when Sill
rle pillar of the foundation gives way, there is no
Ion,sr security for the fabric. The moment the will
uf be majority, acting through :s legitimate organ.
ism. ceases to command universe! and implicit ooe
dience that moment the government at an end Its
essential principle corrupted, and 1t degeneraes In
70 sxstem of violence. The ideas Of lar and dutho
;yv must be invested with sort OF sanctity, which
no profane touch may pollute with mpunity. These
constitute the visible msjes,y Of the people, aud when
once they are treated with contempt there is an end
Of Democratic sovereignty. The instability Of re-
nublican institutions among the Hispano- American
popuation Of this continent, results from their ndii
ference TO any manifestation Of power that does not
assume the form Of physical force. They have no
conception of popular sorcrccnty no idea Of volun
,ary submission to uuarmed authority.
And this is the alarming aspect of affairs in Caor.
MIA. 1t matters not what plea OF extreme public ne.
cessity the Vigilance Committee may urge in Ju'tIf'
cation Of their revolutionary rule There Is ample
soope for the correction Of abuse within the sphere OF
the legitimate power Of the people and every repre-.
sentative mt provides for its own amendment
II matters not whether the action Of the committee has
besn productive of Individual hardship or has only
promoted the ends Of justice AS no necessity could
Justify the resort to SO extreme remedy 80 no e''
of pubc benefit can atone for the sad consequences
which must result from the example Of successful re-
s;,tance TO popular sovereignty aud constituted au
thorty.
II is not fanciful concet to affirm that there Is
something Of retributive justice in The ignomny when
California now endures. Its admission into the Union
was characterized by every circumstance OF violence
md n;n,tics Stimulated TO the premature stature OF
State by the hot bed process Of squatter sovereign
"; the willing instrument Of monsrous outrage
upon the Constitution and injury TO the South; pos
spsed by al unres,raned and awess passion for gold
we may lament but cannot wonder that at last con-
temnsd 70 expate some Of its manifold sins. Between
the early history end the present condition
it is not difficult the conneIon OF cause and e'
f.ct-The exclusion of slavery from that State was
ACCOMPLISHED by the grossest usurpat'on o. power
md violation OF the rights OF the South. IL no"
endure. the ,enai:y OF its own injustice. For, ii
s)avorv had been tolerated in California il would not
only have multiplied the production Of gold but
would also have aver,ed the evils Of domestic psurrec
tion 1t would have impaired steadness and STA
bity TO the State, would have excluded the ubaFi'
doned and vicious population which now prey upon
its prosperity aud breed a., it's troubles and wou.d
have given it o conservative cast OF character-con'
don6 which arc altogether incompatible w''h e'oe''
lion and the rule Of mob violence. Asa sm'e o'a'e'
California never would have suffered the shehe anu
sorrow Of submission to al infamous usurpat'oh Tor
she would never have known the necessity OF such n
remedy against popular insubordination. We may
regret her humiliation, but must applaud the justice
of her punishment.