, 1859-09-24
TIE FALL CAMPAIGNS.


In my last gave you brief account Of the
political condition Of this Territory under the
present administration. We are now in the
midst Of a fierce campaign for the choice of y
Delegate to Congress, and the following terri
torial officers, viz: Treasurer, Auditor, School
several District-Attorneys, Sherils and other
local officers. The Office Of delegate leads the
ticket, for which two candidates huye been pre-
sented, as you have already been advised. viz: /:
Gen. Experience Estabrook. by the Democrsts,
and Hon. Sauuel G. Daily, BY the Republicans.
This is the first time in the history Of the Terri
tory in which party lines hare been drawn, and
the democracy hare been taken greatly by sur
prise at the sudden rise and apparent strength
Of the Republican party Two years ago, four
candiaates-afl Democrats-wcfei in the field for
tile delesateship, mostly rnnning upon local is
sues, and at thut time for man to ayow him
self Republican was TO subject himself to nm
told abuse. Now matters are greatly changed,
and among the most Jealous and active Kcpu1-
leans Of tnc present time are many of the most
nrnmiuent leading Democrats OF two years
ago.
l.ls been governed by any very particular affec-
Gratis endorse the Cincinnati platform, and not
the administration, it being evident that ma
iurity Of the party arc Douglas men. They re-
affirm the doctrine Of non-interyeutiou, and
insist upon the right or the Territorial Legisla-
ture to pass such laws as it may deem proper
on the matter Of slavery, subject only tn the
decision Of the U. S. Supreme Court, on appeal
from the Territorial Courts. This is their weak
est point, us the Supreme Court has already de-
cided the case against them, and the hcpubli-
cans ere making the most Of the fact. The Re-
pubiicans, while recognizing the authority, ask
10 be permitted in this particular case 10 regu-
zate their own institutions in their own way
irsSa 81 f1.t md fI,fr rf Sh..
Territorial Legislature excluding slavery Mt
once, and in case it becomes necessary, insist
that Congress sha!l aid in doing so; anl de-
mand the privilege Of e!ecting their own e1ecu-
tire and judicial officers. Both parties faror u
Pacifc Railroad via the Platte Valley, and
Free Homestead Bill but on these two latter
points the record is so straight against the De-
mocracy, that they have hard battle to fight,
and nlso labor under nnotber disadvantage in
that. their cppouents have no local record to
which they can appeal.
1t is easy to see that there is really, so far ns
platforms ure concerned, no great difference be-
tween them; but old issues in the States are
rakcd up, aud the campaign reminds one Of the
hot times Of sc on q much reduced scale. The
respective champions are now stuM,llnE the
Territory together, and thus far with varying
success There is very fair prospect, hover
er, of Dai1y's election, unless the Kansas aud
Minnesota frauds are repealed, froin which
there is no lack Of opportunity or design.
The judges Of tie election are nearly all ad-
m1niatration Democrats. rs arc. in fact, nearly
all officers, aad many OF the elective precincts
arc remote aud daln,sstinaecesslb1e. Fort kear-
uey, for inst1uce, situated one hundred and
eighty five miles west Of here, is known to hare
but a sparsesy populated country around about
it but it IS the rendezvous Of nearly all the gDs-
efnment trains from Kansas md Ncbrask. to
Salt Lake, besides being depot Of H. jors, Rus
sell aud Waddetls, government contractorx.
orders have been already given to recall large
number Of discharged tcamsters, and the Demo-
Gratis openly boast Of sUU majority in Fort Kear-
nty precinct. Lsau.qu; court, county situated
in the extreme NORTH, is another suspected
quarter, but still We hope for the best, aud We
are taking active measures to prevent frauds il
possible.
A great many local issues enter into the con-
test, notwithstanding the ei1urt to prevent it.
There is IN almost irreconcilable c1ashing Of ill.,
terests between the South and North Platte Sec
tions that riser, 50 far as this Territory Is con-
cerned, forming morc impossible barrier than
Mason and Di1ou's line. All the towns on the
Missouri are jealous Of Omaha, because she is
South Platte. In addition, some sc, 900 Of GOV
erament funds hare been expended north Of tie
line for building military roas, but 20 far Us any
practical benefit has been dcrired, It might ~
well hare been thrown away. North Platte. on
the other hand, claim that all the Territorial OF.
nceTS l11l from Iha Sout1efu section that gov
ernment, after expendiug ~, QUO on the capital
buildings. aud persuading the city Of omaha to
invest 800 0o3, refuses to finish the work, or to
reimburse this outlay, but contents itself with
leaving the bare walls to stand monument Of
its own niggardly economy. Gen. Estabrook
represents the North, and Ar. Daily the South
Plaiio sections.
Both parties hare free scope ia this intcrne-
cine war, but it ha. not yet become so fierce in
this section As to seriously eudapger the sue
cess of the Republican ticket. Both sections
have undoubtedly real cause for complaint, but
the course they hare pursued heretofore has
tended rather to the disadvantage Of both than
to the success Of either. The organization ct
PARTIES and the effect Of strict party discipline
will do much towards healing these unhappy
divisions.
lis one Of The anomalies in political warfare
to see the Governor Of Statc or Territory.
attcr his election or selection to that high Office
going about the country and &tumpinS for the
success Of party candidates; but Gov. Black,
(you printed it Geory4 Black in my Inst is an
anomalous Executive, and WAS most especially
an anomalous Judge. He is e1erting himself
in connection with the Other officials to the best
Of his ability, and with the aid Of the Govern
n1ent funds, to secure the election OF Estabrook;
but unfortunately for the General, the Cover
nor's fondness for rife whisky is serious draw
back to his success. His appetite Is indulged
in openly and freely, and it is no unusual thing
TO see him staggering along the streets in
state OF beastly lntoxication, committing out
rages upon public ,noraiisy which Jour readers
would blush to see in print.