The Nevada journal., 1861-05-24
UNION STATE CONVENTION.
ne UNION MEX OF CALrFoRNIA:

UNION STATE CONVENTION.
To THE UNION MEX OF CALrFoRNIA:
The formidable rebellion that now threatens
the integrity of the Federal Urion and aims at
the destruction of popular government, has OBJ
liberated old political di ;tinctions, and made it
necessary for all loyal citizens 10 act together
for the salvation Of our common country 1t is
neither prudent nor patriotic for the uncondi-
tional friends Of the Union to fight one another
in rival organizations, which profess to have
the same object, yet are kept jealously asunder
only at the hehest of selfish place hunters, or
by mean quibble about empty names and con-
siderations of relative strength and prestige.-
This is marifestly wrong. 1t is not asked of
our brethren in the East who are enrolling
themselves by hundreds of thousands to bear
arms in defense of the government, whether
they are Democrats or Republicans Bell men
or Breckenridge ne1. Why should Californians.
who are anxious to sustain the same noble
cause, whether by voting or fighting divide
themselves by similar tests, or by retention of
the same obsolete designations!
The only issue before the American people is
that which concerns the preservation Of con-
stitutional liberty. They have to decide, not
whether they will have Republican or De-
mocratic President, but whether they will have
a President at all. They have to say whether
the ballot-box or the bayonet shall rule, and if
oas and honored as heretofore, and with great
er prosperity and honor awaiting us; or sub
nit to disintegration at the bidding of an am
bilious oligarchy, and suffer the ruin and shame
that mus: surely follew. When such is the sin
gle issue of the times, as acknowledged by com
mon consent of the masses and their wisest
leaders in the East, how foolish and wrong it is
to attempt to keep up old partisan distinctions,
which do not bear upon that issue in the slight
IL
base rivalry for the spois of office, or to seek
to prostitute the noble zeal of honest patriots to
the narrow uses of ephemeral organizations
Yet we find the Union-loyers of California
are thus divided and distracted. The Douglas
Democratic and Republican parties. through
their Central Committees, have promulgated
calls for two Conventions, both recognising, it
is true. that the only question is whether treas
on or the Government shall be subjected, yet
preparing the way for a conflict of friends that
might end in the victory of enemies. 1t is fool
ish to organize two parties precisely the
same platform; and the attempt to do so ap-
pears wicked, when reflect that ii may give
a fatal advantage to our only real foes, who are
the foes, covertlY or openly, Of the Union and
the Government. 1t will not do to despise the
strength Of the disioyal party in this State
The positive secession element, which is wary
and deceitful, however weak it may be alone,
will rally its assistance, by sophistry and sym
pathetic appeals-by professions of love for the
Union and depreciation of civil war-various
other e m snts which are not positively disloyal,
and a large one that is simply selfish and un-
scrupulous. 1t will befog the common mind
already fearfully demoralized by secession
sophistry and partizan bigotry, with a false is
sue about compromise and coercion of States;
and by dint of its solidarity and adroit party
management-perhaps with the aid of secret
conspiracy y-make itself powerful and danger
GUS enemy. 1t may slip through the divided
hosts of the Union in places of power that
should be filed only by those whose fidelity and
courage arc most unqu"stionable. 1t may sue
coed in obtaining control of the State and in
overriding the popular will, as yioleut minori-
ties have overriddcn it in other States whose
citizens at heart are loyal. There is enough
danger Of this to make Union of all Union
men imperatively necessary. The example o.
our kindred in the East-the promptings of our
own hearts-the pcrils that environ our coun-
try, and the organizations which divide Ms, to
forget the rancor of past political differences,
and to work together in one solid phalanx for
ihe good of the nation. Let us cheer tho Gov |
that is now so graudly putting forth |
is self-sustaning energies by one common ex-
preston of sympathy aud confidence. Let us |
put California beyond the possibility of being !
ragged out Of the Union, OF surprised into |
my act of dsloyalty; and let us prepare the |
way for more able and economical admins |
ration of its afais at the hands of pure citi- |
ens. fresh from the ranks of the people.
All this, which doubtless squares with the d. !
ire of every loyal. liberal minded Californian.
AN be accomplished by disrcsartliug the parti-
an calls of the Democratic and Republican
Committees. and sending delegates. chosen ir-
espective of party. to MASS UNION STATE |
,oSyENrIoN empowered to nominate ticket
or State officers which shulconsist of the most
oyal. upright and capable men from all
PARTIES
Believing that such course is the only one
roper to be pursued by all who think more Of
heir country than of party, and confident that
he loyal masses desire to act together in the
oming elections, the undersigned earnestly
ccomrcnd to their llow-citizens to immedi-
tcly prepare to choose delegates to n STATE
JNroN CONVENTION; to be held at Sacramento
m Thursday, the 18th day of juno next The
Inion Clubs throughout the State are urged to
1--WE this recommendation their appro, al and
ssistrnce, and all Union men arc urged to par
icipate in the primary meetings held in a,
ordance herewith, so that none but loyal n d
bile delegates shall be elected. The only
est at the primary me. t'ngs shoul be n
nipple pledge to sustain the Government in its
ii RS to preserve the UniIn and enforce ii
lws.
Inc undersigned would also recommend that
'ounty Conventions be held in accordance with
no above plan. so that the people may be cna-
led to unite and secure the election of sound
Unconditional Union men to the Legislature; it
eing important to have not only the State
aved from the control Of Scccssionists, but
very part of it, and every department of the
tate Government.
The following basis Of fapportionnc1t for del
gates to the State Union Convention is re-
to-wit; two delegates for each
ounty, one delegate for every five hundred
otcs cast at the general election, and one for
ach fraction of more than two hundred and
fly. This will give the different counties
representation rs follows:
Ilamcda ....""". San Bcrnardino....
lmador......-...." 10 San Diego............ 3
5utte...............- III San Francisco...... 81
lalayeras..." II San Joaquin..... 9
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