The Shasta courier., 1859-07-23
The Discussion on "wednesday Evening.

uisSussioh snould take place-stands having
been erected both at the head and in the centre
OF the town-and to the consequent ill-feeing
arising therefrom, no regular discussion took
place in Shasta, between Messrs. Latham and
Currey, as per appointment, on Wednesday even
ing last.
AT the proper hour, however, at the urgent
solicitations Of numerous Democrats, Mr. Skill
man went upon the stand, in front of the Empire
hotel, and called the meeting to order. On mo-
ton, DR.. DeSh'elds was chosen Chairman, and
VIM B. Stoddard, Secretary.
Mr.. Currey first essayed to address the audi
ence' but owing to a 3" noise and confusion" not
inferior to that which prevented Gen. Cass from
being heard on a certain celebrated occasion at
troit.-which 4" noise and confusion proceed
ed from drums, ffes, and the throats of numer-
GUS men and boys surrounding the lower stand,
1t was impossible for him to speak with any
satisfaction to himself or his audience. Mr.. La
than followed, each speaking half an hour. Mr..
Currey closed with second short speech. At
the call of the meeting, Mr.. Burch, candidate for
Congress, and DR.. Powell, Anti-Lecomplon can
didate for Clerk of the Supreme Court, Ned
Reese, miner and a favorite with the boys gen.
orally, and Mr. Sprague, each made brief speech
es. As the noise-so disrespectful to the speak
ers, so disgraceful to the town, and to the par
ties engaged therein-continued all the time
however, it was impossible for either to enter
into regular discussion of the various momen-
tous questions now at issue between the various
parties.
We are pleased 10 state, however, that not
withstanding the uufayorable circumstances, Mr.
Burch, in his very briei effort, acquitted himself
in manner most gratifying to his friends.
Mr.. Latham said it was impossible for him to
make regular speech under the circumstances
that lie did not rise for that purpose-but that
he had here for the first time met certain as
saults made upon his character, as an honorable
lnan, by Senator Broderick, in Nevada, on Sat-
urday evening last. He then read the following
from the Unions report of Mr. Brodericks Neva-
da speech
l will now proceed, fellow citizens, to give
you brief history of the Senatorial election,
and why gave my influence for the election OF
DR.. Gwin to the United States Senate rather than
for the election of Latham. Of all those who
were candidates, Judge McCorke was my first
choice, but close canvass proved that a sufi-
cient number of votes could not be obtained to
secure his election. After Judge McCorkle had
become satisfied Of this fact and only upon con-
sutation with him, We determined to throw our
influence for the election of Mr. Latham AT this
time Latham as certain OF seat in the Uni
tad l. L =,
not actually obtained his commission. Ny friends
were in hourly communication with him and no
other result was contemplated by the members
of the Legislature, friendly to me, than Latham's
election. Latham assured my friends that with
one or two trivial exceptions they should have
his influence in obtaining all the Federal offices
in this State. The tide of public opinion at that
time set in SO strongly in favor of Latham, that
even Gwins friends were deserting him and
joining Lathams forces. Upon the eve of La
than election, when there remained nothing to
be done but to make up the official record of
the vote which would elect him, gentleman
whose claims favored for the post of Collector
of the Port of San Francisco, came to me and
said that Latham had some time before given a
written pledge promising to support him for the
same position in the event of his Lathamsl
election. But. now, bis election being consid-
cred certain, Latham had determined to support
another individual, and in his anxiety to obtain
possession Of his written pledge, Latham had de-
puted man to seek my friends room and sur
reptltlously obtain possession of the letter con-
tanning the written pledge. This statement was
so well substantiated by facts that | could not
doubt its correctness. found upon making in
qury that Mr.. Latham had determined to sup
port another gentleman for Collector and that
that gentleman whom he had determined to
support was one Of my warmest and most init
mate friends. Fellow citizens, this scheme to
separate me from friends who were as dear TO
me as my own honor, was cold blooded, cal |
culating and Indignantly selfish, and the means
adopted for the accomplishment of it partook
more OF the nature of man who had dabbled in |
the tlthiest dool of politics rather than that be-
fitting to and worthy of gentleman aspiring to
the proud and exalted position of United States
Senator, that, accustomed as | had been TO
watch the low tricks Of greedy politicians, life
time of observation had furnished no parallel to
the degrading baseness which the facts thus de-
veloped against Latham exhibited. Up to the
time when these facts were developed i had been
assisting Latham with my whole strength. My
friends had been committed to him, and he un-
hesitatingly and with the strongest vehemence
pledged to them his aid for me in giving them
position. Indeed so much had been done to se-
cure Lathams election that at this time felt
doubtful rs 10 Wnetner IL could DC prevented |
decided, however, that my duty to the people of
this State, and my duty to myself, required me
to use every exertion in my power to prevent the
election of any who was controlled by such
motives, and who could pursue the course of
conduct charged and proven against Latham in
the facts related to me, and which have now
rehearsed to you. Fellow citizens, my war with
Dr. Gwin had been long and bitter, yet in all the
ordinations and recriminations of so continued
and malignant political warfare no charge
had ever been made against Gwin, which in its
fathless enormity could compare with the facts
thus developed against Latham. About the time
learned these facts relative to Lathams con-
duct DR.. Gwin sought an interview with me-
At this interview he told me that the men upon
whom he had claims, men for whom he had OBJ
tanned office and position, were supporting La
thams election and that the fathlessness of
those upon whom he had claims had released
him from further obligation, and he voluntarily
assured me that if my friends would support
him, in the event of his election he would aid me
in giving my friends the offices under Buchan-
ans Administration. His letter containing the
substance of this interview has been given to
the public; at the close of my remarks will read
It. To aid Latham. after what ! knew OF his
conduct, was impossible Judge McCorkle could
not be elected, and | had no course left but to
90 what could to aid Dr.. Gwin. Dr.. Gwin was
elecfad