Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-12-17

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preference for one or another Of the gentlemen
engaged In the contest for the vacant seat in
the United States Senate. While Il is certainly
in bad taste to derogate from the merits Of any
Of the aspirantS Is . means 10 promote the
success Of favorte, 1t is nevertheless entirely
proper to advocate the claims Of the preferred
candidate, and to contend for his superiority
over all Of his rivals.
The time is near at hand when the selection
Of q Senator must be made by our Representa-
dves, and, although we have the fullest con.
Hdence in the capacity Of the Legislature elect,
to choose correctly, we arc imPelled by re-
gard for the public good, to call particular at
tention to the qualifications and worth Of the
gentleman upon whose shoulders We wish,
most ardently wish, the Senatorial mantle to
fall. Apart from an earnest friendship for the
man, II Is our honest conviction that Col. B.
F. WASHINGTON would more ably and success-
fully represent California in the councils Ofthe
nation, than any Of his present competitors.
Indeed, could the selection of q Senator be de-
volved upon the people, after thorough can
vass Of the relative merits of the several can
didates, we have not the slightest doubt that
the Democracy Of the State, with singular
unanimity, would enthusiastically confer their
favor upon Col. WASHINGTON.
A brief review Of his career, since his I'm.
migration to California, will disclose that
throughout the length and breadth of the land,
there is no man who has been more consist.
ent and jealous Democrat, who has lAbored
more earnestly and inHexIbly, nor any who
has contributed so powerfully to the triumph
of Democratic principles within our borders.
As early as 1852, he commenced his labOrs
In behalf Of the party Of progress on this side
Of the continent. In February of that year
nc, with others, established the Democratic
State Journal in Sacramento, and until July,
1868, through the columns Of the Journal,
he poured forth tide Of political invectives
upon the enemies Of the Democracy which
overwhelmed them with shame and confusion;
while his illustrations and arguments direct
cd towards the calculation Of Democratic doc
trincs, secured the attention and elected the
appreciation Of the public mind. In July,
1853, he retired from the State Journal and
became the editor Of the Placer Times and
7TGDscript at San Francisco. From this lat.
terpoSition he eliminated those splendid crush
ers, familiar to every politician in the country,
which have established for their author the
reputation Of being one Of tie best political
writer's Of the present day. For two years he
welded, with matchless power and dauntlcss
courage, the sceptre Of political leadership, o.
editor Of the principal Democratic organ in the
State. At the expiration Of that period he
visited his former home but returning after .
short scjOurn, he participated efficiently and
actively IN the Presidential canvass Of 1856.
In the fall Of that year he delivered several
speeches in our county. Appointed by Mr..
Buchanan, on the incoming Of the present
Administration, Collector of the Port Of San
Francisco, the prOpriety Of his official conduct
has commanded the esteem of the officers Of
the various Departments of Government, with
whom his duties have compelled intercourse.
At that perilOuS juncturc in the history Of
the Democratic party, which was occasioncd
by the difference between the President and
Senator Douglas on the Kansas question, Col
WASHINGTON unhesitatingly espouscd the views
Of the Administration, and by bold and mas
terly exposition Of the principles involved in
the controversy, he gave that direction to the
popular mind which resulted in the recent em.
phatic Endorsement Of the course Of Mr.. Buch.
snan. II for no other reason, his manly and
patriotic conduct At the crisis to which we re.
fer, should secure to him the gratitude and
support Of every true Democrat
Az citizen, be is thOrOugly identified with
the interests Of California. A pioneer Of 49,
the past ten years Of his life have grapplcd
him to this Pacific commonwealth, with shocks
Of steel" His all Of worldly wealth, is part
and parole Of the property Of the State. HIS
family are located here, and his children are
growing up to be future men and women
amongst us. Heis, therefore, solely and truly
. Californian. As . politician, while render.
ing material aid to his party, on many impOr-
tant occasions, be has never been 10 the ranks
Of the Office-seekers. Twice, however, the
responsible position Of Chairman Of the Dem.
Ocratic State Central Committee has been
unanimously conferred upon him by State
Conventions Of his party. Since being pub.
lie officer, he has 90 conducted himself as to
lend honor to the station, instead of deriving
lustro from the place. Amongst the distin-
guished men in our State, there is not one who
holds more enviAble place in the affections
and respect Of his fellow citizens, than Col.
WASHINGTON. In short, whatever may be the
estimate placed by partially upon the capa.
city and excellence Of any Of his competitors,
it can be safely asserted that Col WASHINGTON
is the peer, il not the superior Of any or all Of
the candidates for the position to which he
aspires. Gallant true-hearted, Of vigorous in.
tellect, well disciplined mind, enlarged cxpe-
rience, unfaltering fidelity to Democratic faith,
noble impulses and unimpcachable honesty
the Democracy Of California can have no ADLER
or more influential and respectable representa-.
tive upon the floor Of the Uunited States Sen.
etc, for the next four yearA In that august
body he would at once take commanding
position and glOriOusly maintain Il.
Col. WASHINGTON possesses rare and ample