Daily national Democrat., 1861-05-24
1ailu Nationallf
The proposition for Union Conven-
tion for June 18th.

w., :. vor it has met with we do not know
n. yr Us1oN MEN OF CALIFoRNIA:-The
.;1ahle rebellion that now threatens the
ins;tv iof'n of the Federal Union, and aims at
ip.eedt edestruction of popular government, has
II;,orsted I1 old political distinctions, and made
Soessarv oonso for all loyal citizens to act to-
..her ~ for the salvation of our common coun-
is neither prudent nor patriotic for
Wy unconditional friends of the Union to
tiI l. one another in rival organizations,
hSa;b nrofess to have the same object, yet are
nt wn't ;ealously asunder only ct the behest of
AIe les.S nlace-hunters, or by mean quibble
'eus omntv names and considerations of rel
epOu' strength and prestige. This is manifest
aV'~ srono fit is not asked of our brethren
y w. East. who are enrolling themselves by
,,n.aro1s Of thousands to bear arms in defense
nSt ns .bs government, whether they are Demo-
os,,s or Republicans, Bell men or Breckin-
.id@s ca men, why should Californians, who are
.nyious to sustain the same noble cause,
~hether by voting or fighting, divide them
selves by similar tests, or by reteption Oh the
same obsolete designationsf
The only issue before the American people
is that which concerns the preservation of
constitutional liberty. They have to decide.
not whether they will have Republican or
Democratic President, but whether they
will have a President at all. They have to
.av whether the ballot box or the bayonet
,hsll rule, and if we shall remain compact
nationality, prosperous and honored as here
tofore. and with greater prosperity and honor
avaitias us; or submit to dsintegration at
the bidding of an ambitious oligarchy, and
suAer the ruin and shame that must surely
follow. When such is the single issue of the
times, as acknowledged by common consent
Of the masses and their wisest leaders in the
East how foolish and wrong it is to attempt
to keep up old partizan distinctions, which
do not bear upon that issue in the slightest
degree or to divide the Union sentiment by
base rivalry for the spoils of Office or to seek
to prostitute the noble zeal of honest patriots
the narrow uses of ephemeral organiza-
tonsi
Yet we find the Union-lovers of California
are thus divided and distracted The Douglas
Democratic and Republican parties, through
their Central Committees, have promulged
calls for two Conventions both recognizing,
it is true that the only question is whether
treason or the Government shall be suhiuga-
ted, yet preparing the way for conflict of
friends that might end in the victory of enc
mics. 1t is foolish to organize two parties on
precisely the same platform; and the attempt
to do SO appears wicked, when we reject that
it may give fatal advantage TO our only
real foes, who are the foes, eovertly or open
IL of the Union and the Government. 1t will
not do TO desi,ise the strength of the disloyal
party in this State. The positive secession ee.
ment which is wary and deceitful, however
weak it may be alone, will rally to its assist
ance by sophistry and sympathetic appeals
by professions of love for the Union and de-
nrnaatinn of civil wnr-Vnrious ofhpr aln-
ments which are not positively disloyal, and
large one that is simply selfish and un
scrupulous 1t will befog the common mind,
already fearfully demoralized by secession
sophistry and partisan bigotry with false
issue about compromise and coercion Of States !;
and by dint of its solidarity and adroit party
managemeat-perhaps with the aid of secret
eons6raey-make itselfa powerful enemy.
1t may slip through the divided hosts of the
Union into places of power that should be
filed oaly by those whose fidelity and cour-
age are most unquesionable. 1t may succeed
in obtaining control of the State and in over
riding the popular will as violent mnorties
have overridden it in other States whose citi-
zens at heart are loyal. There is enough dan
ger of this to make union Of all Union men
imperatively necessary. The example of our
kindred in the East-the promp,ings of our
own hearts-the pcrils that environ our
country, and the treason that covertly plots
in our State-admonish and impel us to a
bandon the eifete organizations which divide
us, to forget the rancor of past political ditfe-
rences, and TO work together in one solid
pbaanx for the good of the natioa. Let us
cheer the Government, that is now so grand
ly putting forth its self sustaining energies, by
one common expression of sympathy and con.
fidence. Let us put California beyond the
possibility of being dragged out of the Onion.
or surprised into any act of disloyalty; and
let us prepare the way for q more able and
economical administration of its affairs at the
hands of pure citizens fresh from the ranks
Of the people.
All this, which doubtless squares with the
desire of every loyal, liberal minded Califor-
nian, can be accomplished by disregarding
the partisan calls of the Democratic and Re-
publican Committees. and sending delegates
chosen irrespective of party, to "A Mass UNION
SrArE CONVENTION. empowered TO nominate a
ticket for State Officers, which shall consist
of the most loyal, upright and capable mer
from all parties.
Believing that such a course is the only
one proper to be pursued by all who thinl
more of their country than of party, and con-
iident that the loyal masses desire to act to-
6N''Ot III thS tleCtCuSi liV uHuCl-
signed earnestly recommend TO their fellow
citizens to Immediately prepare to choose del
egates to a STATE UNION CONVENTION, to b'
held at Sacramento, on Thursday, the l3tl
day of June next. The Union Clubs through
out the State are urged to give this recon-
meadation their approval and assistance, an,
all Union men are urged to participate in th
primary meetings held in accordance there
with, so that none but loyal and able dele
gates shall be elected The only test at tn,
primary meetings should be simple pledg
to sustain the Government in its efforts t,
preserve the Union and enforce the laws.
The undersigned would also recommend
that County Conventions be held in accord
ance with the above plan, so that the peopl
may be enabled to unite and secure the elec
tion of sound unconditional Union men t.
the Legislature; it being important to hav
not only the State saved from the control O
secessionists, but every part of it, and ever,
department Of the State Government
The following basis of apportionment 70
delegates to the State Union Convention, i
recommended, to wit: Two delegates 70
each county. one delegate for every five hun
dred votes cast at the last general election
and one for each fraction of more than tw
hundred and fifty. This will give the differ
ent counties representation as follows:
Alameda. 6Sacramento ..,.......1
Amador. 10 San Bernardno. .......
butte II San Diego ..............
Calaveras. IL San Francisco.
Uolusl. .............. San Joaquin. ..........
Sontra Costa. ........,. 5San Luis Obispo ......
Del lNorte.. ............ 3lSan Mateo ............
I'll Dorado.. ..16 Santa Barbara ........
fresno :---.--....... 3Santa Clara. ...........
humboldt. ............ 4ISanta Cruz. ............