The Nevada journal., 1857-03-06
or Nebaoa youlnal.
FRIDAY MORNING, MARoH6, 1857
THE SAN FRANCISCO ELECTION.

THE SAN FRANCISCO ELECTION.
A few weeks ago Gen. Estell an
nounced in the assembly chamber, that
no man who sympathised with the vig-
lance committee would ever again be
elected to the legislature from San
Francisco. The democratic portion of
the assembly, with one or two excep-
tions, confessed their faith in the pre-
diction, and leading democrats through
out the state received and reiterated the
words of the great oracle as truth. At
the time the General made his grand
speech, nobody expected that the mat
ter could be tested before next fall;
and it was expected that, by that time,
the remembrance of the vigilance COM
mittee would be pretty much effaced
from the public mind, and buried be-
meath thoughts of other and fresher is
sues. So that, apparently, there was
but little risk in assuming the character
of prophet, because the truth of the
prophecy would, in all probat ility, new
er be determined.
But alas for these soothsayers, they
were put upon their trial too soon. Had
they placed the date Of the events
which they foretold far off in the future,
they might possibly have escaped a
conviction of imposition. Had they
said that twenty, or ten, or even five
years hence, no man would be elected
on the vigilance issue, they would have
placed themselves in a safe position.
But no : they supposed that anything
which they promulged in the name of
democracy, would be received as gos-
pei !; and SO they must needs proclaim
that the "reaction" had come - that
vigilance was already unpopular, even
at the very. scene of its triumphs - and
that never again in San Francisco
would one of its friends be elected.
Mr.. Tilford inflicted terrible blow
upon his anti-vigilance friends, when he
resigned his seat in the senate. But he
had pressing interests to attend to at
Washington. Important federal posi-
tions were to be filled on the Pacific,
and host of political beggars had al
ready gone to the national capitol. He
was forced, however reluctantly, to fol-
low them in order that his graceful
manners and pleasing address might
have their due influence upon the in
coming administration. A special elec-
ton was called to choose his successor
Here, then, was an unexpected oppor
tunity of proving the truth or falsehood
of what these braggarts had been say
ing. The issue was fairly and squaroly
that of vigilance and anti-vigilance. -
The forces were vigorously and loudly
rallied on either side. Jones was the
candidate of the so-called claw and Or
der" party, with the strength of the
democratic name in his favor; Wood
worth was the candidate of the vigil
antes, supported by no other party, or
combination whatever. The election
came off on the gath, and Woodwork
was elected by a majority of fifteen Aum-
dred and ninety eight.
We suppose now that these buster
ing towards will let this vexed question
of vigilance rest. We hope that the
miserable braggartism which they were
afraid to exhibit before the last general
election, but which they have been so
prolific of since, has now been settled
by little wholesome fear. By the fan
tastic tricks which they have cut over
what they supposed to be dead body,
they have aroused for moment, the
sleeping giant, and with single move
of his powerful arm, he has thrown them
from him, frightened and trembling
We rather think they'll let him sleep
hereafter.
We hope that this senseless persecu-
ton of the vigilance committe will here
end. Its honest opponents must now
see, that, whatever there was right or
wrong about it, it was a movement of
the people was sustained by the peo-
pie and will be sustained by the peo-
pie, as long as the agitation of it lasts.
Those who conscientiously oppose it.,
say that it affords precedent which
will endanger the future stability of
government. Why then, we ask, do
you endeavor to keep the precedent
continually before the public mind +! 1t
cannot be to punish the offenders, for
they, if any there be, are the sovereign
people, and who is to be the hangman