San Andreas independent., 1857-07-25
To be or not to be ?

To be or not to be?
During the last three or four years, a won
derful change has been wrought IN the generai
tone of society in our State. This is owing
nartlv tn the situation in which men have found
themselves placed, and partly to the additions
which have been made to society itself. Many
of those who came here in the palmy days of
former years, expecting to reap rich harvest
to dig out suffciency of the precious metal in
the course of two or three years to constitute
competence for life, soon found that q the race
was not to the swift alone;" that if money was
readily made, it was likewise easily spent, and
if they ever expected to reach the goal of their
desires, it was necessary to settle themselves in
some particular locality and look upon that as
Hence men began to send for their families to
JOIN them on the Pacific Coast, and domestic
comforts sprang up around us; and the result
has been, persons generally have become better
contented with themselves and with the condi-
tion of society around them Men are begin
ming to establish themselves in the mountains,
permanently and to look upon the establish
ment of society and civilization in California
not as the feeting thing of a day, but as fixed
fact, and one which is to increase for years, and
endure for ages to come. This is evident from
the number of family residences springing up
on every side; from the more enduring quality
of buildings erected of late years by the mer-
camille and other business portion of the COM
munity, and even in the improved quality of
habtations which bachelor miners themselves
erect for their comfort and convenience.
While these things all point towards happy
and prosperous future, there are other things
which require to be changed other affairs
which need to be improved; there are great
and grooing evils which it is necessary to rem
edy. The body polite itself is diseased, and
requires vigorous and Strengthening dose
from the Independent and united action of
the people. Demagogues control and govern
the destinies of the State cliques and unprin-
cipled wire-workers rule and manage the af-
fairs of the counties. Politics have become
trade; designing men, by impudence, daring
and effrontery, have gained possession of the
political arena, and control public affairs upon
the ~ rule and ruin" principle, till the vrtuous,
honorable and conscientious portion of the
community stand back with wonder and amaze
ment and indignation; yet fear to plunge into
the filthy pool aud take an active part in the
general fight, knowing they will be trampled
down by those who, in politics, are void of
single honorable principle or noble action
iSt tho condition of ffa ;rc
out the State; such is the condition of things
in our own county, and has been for five or six
years, ever since the county seat was re-
moved to its present location. Shortly after
this affair of locating the county seat at Mokel-
umne Hill took place, four patriotic individuals,
well convinced that the "more concentrated
the power, the stronger the government" took
upon themselves the onerous and arduous duty
of managing the affairs of CalaveraS county
Yearly, and just before holding county conven-
BILE room in Mokelumne Hill and there gravely
consulted over the political affairs of our coun-
ty, and decided who should be candidates, and
who should be elected to fill the various re-
spective offices. How we'll their schemes were
laid, how well their plans were carried out,
how all-powerful their influence, let past cleo
tions speak for themselves. Has a democrat
ever been defeated for office in this county p
Let the independent voters look and see who
they were and who and whence came their
successful opponents, and then be satisfied that
the defeated parties fell under the ban and dis
pleasure of this immaculate four" Does this
same four" constitute the Mokelumne Hill dy-
nasty of the present day? Does the power still
centre in the same number, or have they agreed
to weaken their individual influence and there
by strengthen the main body by adding to the
original number and now rule, each for day,
like the % thirty tyrants" of old? Whether the
power of this oligarchy rests in one Great
Mogul," or in the hands of thirty tyrants, that
it still exists let the people look at the action
of the Mokelumne Hill Democratic Convention
which lately assembled at Angels Camp, and
then answer the question for themselves.
This dynasty works for two objects one to
control the election, the other to keep the coun-
ty seat where it now is. By the successful car
-'Ao wv VI 'no ene, ehey secure the Otner-
Hence their extraordinary efforts to secure the
nomination of certain persons for office. No
one can come in unless he acknowledges the
influence and supremacy of the rulers who hold
their seat of government at Mokelumne HILL
We have heard it publicly stated, that GER
tain individuals, now before the people for
office, previous to their nomination, were
pledged to use their influence in retaining the
county seat at its present place of location
Such bargains, such buying and selling is all
fair in war;" is all right and proper if the
people will close their eyes and bow down with
humble submission. But will those who have
hrouoht their families here to settle down and