Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-02-09
Letter from Sncramcnto.---A Review OF
Senatorial Candidates.

SACRAMENTO, Jan 80, 1861.
EDITOR TRINITY JOURNAL Perhaps some of
your readers may take an interest in the perusal
of a pen and ink sketch of the political panora-
ma on the Senatorial question, as it appears to q
casual observer at the State Capital
The failure of the Douglas Democracy to elect
n Speaker without the aid and assistance of the
Republican votes, has brought to light, and ex
posed to open view the true position of the Dem
ocratic party as represented in the California
Legislature. Each and every days balloting
each and every nights caucusing, heaped ev.
dence, fact upon fact, that the Anti Lecompton
Douglas Democracy was actually in the minority
in the Legislature.
Although nominally, and ostensby they we're
supposed to be largely in the majority in the
Senate aud Assembly for out of the one hundred
aud fifteen members in both Houses, sixty three
were elected on the Douglas ticket of which
hfty-eight constituted a majority on joint ballot
If every member elected to the Senate and As
semby had proved true to his trust, and stood by
the ticket that elected him, party lines, Oh joint
ballot in the Legislature, would stand Douglas
,
Republicans "a Bell and Everett, |. But out
of the sixty members elected on the Douglas
ticket, there are nineteen, who are Lecompton
Breckenridge Democrats, Ia principle and by
affinity, but ceded the nomination to Douglas,
as matter of policy to secure their own cleo
tions, aud now that Douglas il no longer the
nominee, these gentlemen sustain the principles
and platform rejecting their own sentiments and
gladly return to their old political dominion
the Breckenridge Democracy, which leaves party
lines in the Legislature Douglas Democrats, II;
Breckenridge Democrats, 40 Republicans, "A.
A the commencement Of the session the diff
ferent candidates for a seat in the United States
Senate looked cheerful and confident. But the
bitter contest for Speaker drew party lines down
to a hairs breadth, and has dampened if not de-
stroyed the prospects of an election Of United
States Senator during this session.
From the time the result of the election was
known, to the meeting of the Legislature, on the
first Of January, Gen. McDougal's prospects Of
being VIM. NJ. Gwin's successor, for term of
six years in the United States Senate, was very
fattering, indeed for large majority of the
members were elected on the Douglas ticket to
the Legislature, and Gen. McDougal was their
acknowledged champion. He Is man Of com
mandng talent, marked ability and practical
experience, with fine oratorcal powers, but his
past record shows a want Of nerve and stamina
requisite to repel the insoent, arrogant, traitor
Gus designs of the slave oligarchy.
AIihouoh tho ConaraIta na al nour.o 10 oil
with tmdiy, whenever he has come in contact
with the slave power, he done much towards
reprieving his past errors n his able aud eloquent
address before the members of the Legislature
and people of Sacramento, in response TO q call
for each of the asprants for q seat in the United
States Senate to define his position upon the
issues of the day. The General, out of half
dozen asprants, was the only one that responded
to the call 1t is thought that Mr.. Randolph
would have responded bad his health permitted.
All of the candidates who refused to define their
position upon that occasion are supposed to sym
pathse with South Carolina in her reasonable
designs.
Gen. Denver Of Trinity county, is one of the
most formidable candidates in the field, if not the
strongest. He is a politician of long-standing
notorety, but Of no remarkable ability, though
his prospects and chances to be elected to the
United States Senate are in fact much better
than any one would suppose at first sight The
General supported Douglas through policy, as
the regular nominee, although he is a Lecompton
Brcckinrdge Democrat in principle and affinity,
by birth, education and instinct. He Is u native
of old Virginia, and an emigrant to this State
from Missouri consequently most eminently
sound on the vexed question. His peculiar po-
siton enables him 10 command some Of the