Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-02-14
The Next Political Campaign.

Ine NexC fOnuCal campaign.
The time approaches when there will again
be struggle for political supremacy in Cali
fornia. The overwhelming victory achieved
by the Democracy last fall, is no guarantee
against opposition from the common enemy
in the fall of 1857. That victory, under all
the attending circumstances, was very great
and very satisfactory triumph; yet it should
be recollected that the Democratic vote fell
short of the united Know Nothing and Re-
publican vote by some three or four thous-
ands. This fact-although we may and do
consider it of only trifiing moment-will in
spire the natural and irredeemable enemies of
the Democracy with new hope, and they will
take the field with expressions of great con-
fdence as to their success.
That there are those in our county, and in
our State who never will become Democrats,
and who will at any time take up with what
ever promises the strongest opposition to De-
mocracy are questions definitely settled by
the history of parties; and when it is reco-
lected that at the coming election a Govern
or and other State officers are to be chosen,
the assurance may be counted upon that the
elements Of opposition will assume the form
and force Of organization What, then, will
be the character Of this organized oppos-
ton, we conceive to be, practically, the most
interesting political topic of the times; and
We propose to discuss the subject at such
length as our space will permit.
What of Know Nothingism?' Or "Amer-
icanism?" if those who followed the ignis fa-
tUus desire that it should be spoken of by
that name in history. 1t is dead-dead and
buried; and as it was born without SOUL or
in other language without principle, it can
have no resurrection. Its light shone for
day, then hickered in the socket, and is at
length extinguished. Sic transit gioria-
uUMBUG No element of life remains, and it
left no record of great achievements to rescue
it from eternal oblivion after a few short
years shall have fitted by in the march of
time. Where are its generals, who were
wont to make their eioquence heard in every
nook and corner of the State? And where
are the rank and file, who were induced to
engage in the dark crusade against civil and
religious liberty? Let the echo answer
fha fol oc Al e
the Know Nothing vote fell from about fifty
thousand to about thirty thousand; and at
this period-only the beginning of ls57-no
sane man claims that the party has an actual
existence.
1t would be an interesting, and with us a
satisfactory task. to write the biography and
epitaph of the late secret order at length;
but want of space forbids. The speedy
downfall of an institution so seductive and
dangerous in its character-so guided with
false paraphernalia, and based upon such
professions of patriotism
furnishes the very best possible evidence of
the stability and permanency of our republi-
can government The American people are
to considerable extent mtetuous, and hence
the temporary supremacy of Know Nothing
ism; but the sober second thought operates
as safety-valve, and however finely wrought
may be the plans Of ambition and corruption,
the great landmarks of Democracy and con-
servatism are never lost sight of for any con-
siderable length Of time.
With regard to the secret order we have
been speaking Of it would almost seem as tho
the hand of Providence had been directly
raised to destroy it; for although victory
perched proudly on their banner at the very
outset, but few moons passed until the
hand of their destruction was plainly seen
writing upon the wall. The highest officers
of State elected by the Know Nothings-a
Governor and two Supreme Judges-shortly
after their induction into Office. were desert
ed by the Know Nothing press and by Know
Nothing leaders, and made the victims of
bitter and malignant abuse. The only par