The Nevada Democrat., 1857-07-22
NEVADA DEMOCRAT.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 22, 1857.
os..1. ON the vigilance Resolution.

I'm the last day OF the session OF the DeIno-
.r.te Convention, the Committee on resolutions
having made their report. Mr.. P. T. Herbert, of
M.ripOsa county presented as a minority report
IN. following resolutions:
P,.Olred, That the perpctuity Of our Demo-
cratic form of government, is based upon the
resnect of the people for the laws they them
selves create.
R,,cRred. That inasmuch as under our form of
government all power comes from the people,
and constitutions and laws are but the express
lions of the popular will, therefore the late vio-
latIon of our Constitution and laws, by por-
tion Of the people organizing themselves into
armed bodies and exercising legislative Judicial
and executive functions, is direct reputation
Of the principles upon which our government is
Sounded. and can but tend to debase us in the
estimation Of the people Of other countries, and
postpone the day when = Republican form OF
government will be the one only known among
civilized nations.
A motion was made TO lay Mr.. Herbcrt's res
olution on the table. which was strenuously
opposed by that gentleman who denounced the
Vigilance Committee and Black Republicans in
unmeasured terms, and complimented, in
handsome manner, Mr.. Nugent, of the San
Francisco Herald, for his independent course
during the troublous time Of 1885,
Mr. Porter, of Calaveras, contended that the
resolutions were q minority report, and could
not be summarily disposed Of, as contemplated
by the motion.
Mr.. Anderson, of Nevada SAID that from the
frst he had been opposed to the actions of the
Vigilance Committee, and WIS so still. But he
thought tho introduction Of such resolution
uncalled for and impolitic.
Mr. Hawks, of San Francisco, in lengthy
speech argued that the resolution involved
great national question of the utmost impor-
lance to this State and Nation. He did not
wish to shower down curses or anathemas on
the heads of those who appeared most promi-
nent in the bloody scenes enacted last year in
San Francisco, for many of them he thought
were far less deserving of censure than some
who kept in the background and pulled the
wires. He would leave the latter to the gnaw-
lngs of their own concencss. and sure he was
sheir pillows would be haunted by visions Of
their victims. He did not believe that Demo-
cracy had fallen SO low as TO fear taking the
responsibility, making the issue and meeting it
boldly in the face. Support Of the Constitution
and laws had always been cardinal virtue
among true Democrats, and he believed such
was still the case among California Democrats.
Mr.. Hawks, in the course Of his remarks, refer
red to the Democratic party Of San Francisco,
who, in the hour Of tribulation, when seemingly
deserted by their brethren throughout the State,
were not dscouraged--dd not fall into apathy
but buckled OIL their armor, marched forward
in solid phalanx and gave James Buchanan
majority in their own city and county.
Mr.. Lee, of Ell Dorado, opposed the passage
of the resolution. The question was purely
local one, and only interested San Francisco.
He knew residents of FL Dorado county, Demo-
Gratis from their cradles, who had aud still did
eympathz. with the Vigilance Committee, aud
lie knew that the Democracy of the men to whom
he referred was unimpeachable, The speaker
had always opposed the Committee, but as the
country is now quiet and the people generally
showa willingness to obey the laws, he thought
the agitation Of the Vigilance question unnec-
sssary. The fact that this convention has nom
mated John Il. Weller for the Gubernatorial
chair, sufficiently proves that the Democratic
party, or a majority of them, are opposed 10
that organization. As he thought the adoption
OF the resolution would inevitably split the
party, he should consider himself in duty bound
10 oppose its adoption.
Mr. Hoge, of San Francisco. said hc could
not sit silently and not take part in discussion
such us he had Just heard. The resolution
rested and should rest not only OH the platform
Of the Democratic party. but on that of oil re-
publican governments He was pleased TO see
that the Chief Magistrate Of the nation had an
hounced and proved himself determined to put
down all such reasonable organizations, found
ed for the purpose of setting at defiance the laws
and institutions OF their country. The Black Re
Fai,licans of Cincinnati and the "Plug Uglys"
at Washington had felt the strength Of the fede-
raj arm and the points OF bayonets in the hands
of u. S. troops. Mr. Buchanan has announced
himself opposed to the actions of the Vigilance
Committee and shall this convention, forsooth,
delay to endorse heartily the opinion of a Dem
oeratc national administration? This Vigilance
Committeesm stinks in the nostris of honest
men. The organization is base commngling
of every ism aud element that ever strove to
defeat the Democratic party or crush its prn-
ciples. The Vigilance Comnittce hung four
nen---every one of whom were Democrats!
They arrested three hundred and cighty-fve
others. Every Black Republican among them
was discharged. Who will now say it is not
Black Republican organization?
Mr.. Van VOORHEES, opposed the resolution On
the ground that the merits Of the question
should be confined to San Francisco. He did
not wish Wings aud know Nothings to under
take to teach him what was Democracy. He
ha1 never voted any other than Democratic
ticket, but was nevertheless always willing to
receive with open arms persons who wished
for the first time to join the great national
Democratic party
Mr.. Hawks rose to explain. The gentleman
(Mr. Van Voorhies) had seen proper to animad-
vert on his course 1t was true he had been
born and educated Whig bat when that party
ceased to exist, he committed the cgregious
error Of joining the Know NOthings. He had,
during the last campaign, endeavored to atone
for his misstep by stumping the State for Bu-
chanan and should continue to be Democrat
SO long as he believed that due respect for the
laws Of the country was a distinguishing eea-
ture of that party.
Mr.. Campbell of Sierra, offered the following
substitute for Mr.. Herbert's resolution:
Resolved, That the Democracy of California
will ever support the Constitution and laws of
their State, and of the United States and will
ever use their utmost endeavors to preserve as
sacred and inviolate that priceless legacy Of our
fathers contained in the Bill Of Rights and the
writ Of habeas corpus
Mr.. Whiteside, of Yuba, also offered substi-
tute. which was declared out of order.
On the adoption of Mr.. Campbel's substitute