The Placer herald., 1857-07-25
The Contrast.


have held their State Conventions nomina-
ted their tickets, aud presented their plat.
forms for the inspection Of he people. And
the people are now called upon to decide
between :hem.
The Democracy fully indoss the national
platform Of the party and the policy Of Mr.
Buchsnan's administration, declare IN IN.
mistakable terms in favor Of the construction
Of overland wagon routes and the Pacific
Rail Road, advocate the granting Of tracts
Of the public domain for homesteads to
every honest settler, and are 10 favor "of
guaranteeing to every State and Territory
the rights and privileges secured to them BY
the constitution and lava Of the country"
They demand economy in the appropriation
and disbursement Of all public moneys;
and will hold all public officers strictly &C.
countabls for the administration Of the pub
lio funds" They ask that the rights Of
pre.emption in this State should BE- ~ libsr.
al as in other States Of the Union, and call
for a change 90 the pre.emption laws which
enables holders Of Mexican grants TO prevent
the settlement Of much larger tracts Of land
than they claim. They acknowledge the
solemn obligation that California ia under
to pay the existing State Debt, and fairly
make an issue in i,s favor. They oppose
secret political societies, and change in the
naturalization laws Of the country.
The Republicans very cordially iudorss
the national platform Of their party which
was presented to the people las, season in
the Presidential campaign and BY tho people
most unequivocally condemned. Indeed
this is the only issue they make. They
say
"The issue upon which the Republican
party has bsen formed is Of national char.
acter. we forbear to express any opinion in
reference to questions Of State policy, leaving
Republicans free to act aud vote on all such
questions"
They desire Congress to act upon the
slavery question, and prohibit its introduc.
ton into the Territories. They say they seek
no. to disturb slavery where it exists, are in
favor Of the Pacific Rail Road, want the
land titles Of California settled, and will vel
come honest immigrants fleeing from the
de.potism Of Europe. They are down on
the Supreme Court for its decision in the
Drsd Scott case, consider it palpahle vio-
lstiou Of the principles Of the Declaration
Of Independence, Justification Of the bis.
tory ofcur country, subversive Of State Rights
dagraut injustice to large portion of the
people Of the United States, and good
cause for immense indignation on the part
Of the sovsreigns. They deprscate slavery on
the Pacific coast and hope our hrethsrn
in Oregon will keep their hands out Of the
business.
The sum and substance then Of the plat
form Of the Republican party iu tho State Of
California is opposition to the extension Of
sl-very. We would ask, in what manner
does this question eject the State Of Cal
formal What has it do with her Stats
policyl Wharein does !. concern our local
politicsl California is fres-no slavery ex-
ists upon her soil, unless it is the slavery Of
mind incident TO the entertainment Of just
such views as held by this Republican party.
In marked and favorable contrast is the
position Of the Democratic over the Republi-
can party in the State. Instead Of present.
ing but single issue, and ono foreign to our
interests. the Democracy steps into the
open light Of day. with platform, compre-
bending in its provisions matters Of vital
importance to every citizen Of the common
wealth. They desire to restore the impaired
credit of the State. to drive plunderers away
from the public crib, to check dishonest
legislation, give an impetus to work Of pub.
lie benefit, give homes to honest settlers up
on our soil, check the rapacity of land grab
bers, establish schools for the education Of
our youth, and pay the Indebtedness OF Cal
ifornia.
As an Offset to this tho Republicans pro.
pose 10 check the further extensions Of sla-
vsry There is coolnesa about this that is
truly refreshing. Check slayery!-where!
In the desert wastes. on the mountain
ridges, and uu:nhsbited plains that stretch
away from California to the older States of
the Union! This is the widest Of vagaries!
1t is possible the Republicans thought
they were coming before people who never
read or thought for themselves-an ignorant
herd whose sympathiss AMI passions would
be excited over the imaginary wrongs Of un-
ho.n knnAexne, Thau saa,,, "a hsuo fornrnk