The hydraulic press., 1861-01-05
The Express on Secession.

subject of secession. Our space is too limited
and valuable for other purposes. But the editor,
in his usual style of gehtlemanly courtesy, has
replied to our article Of last week, proposing
two or three inquiries, which, by way of sur
rejoindcr, we shall endeavor respectfully to
answer.
Our objection to the course pursued by the
Express, is founded on belief that it is operat-
.ing.to the prejudice of the public mind that its
articles are calculated to weaken and estrange
the affection now almost universally entertained
in this State for the Union; and that we can see
no necessity here for that kind of agitation
Neither time place nor circumstance demands
Mt. California can be effected only in very
slight degree, if dozen States Should withdraw
from the Union and in view of the violent de-
l1nenstrations and threats which have been made
7againstits utility and permanency by few NAL
contents nfthe fraternal league, for one, we are
not disposed to extend them much sympathy till
their conduet,sllalf merit it.
Although isolated we are anomalous in respect
to all the other States. We have nine degrees
of latitude on the map, comprehending every
variety of sell and climate. Our seacoast from
Del Norte to San Diego, including bays and in
lets, washes the boundaries of some seventeen
or eighteen counties. The shipping of the whole
world visits our harbors. Our natural produc-
ftions diversified as exhaustless. If Gold
lis King, we furnish it in abundance. If Cotton,
we can produce it. Manufactures are springing
'upall around us. We have a land of vineyards
and wine, of cereal grains, of vegetable, floral,
horticultural wealth and beauties; of tropical
fruits and eternal SHOWS, of valleys and noun
tains, oceans, rivers and bays. We are, in fact,
an empire within ourselves, with an educated and
Industrious people, whose commerce is source
of pride well profit, and who, availing Them
selves of their bountiful natural endowments
are destined to achieve greatness lin the future.
California, occupying this position-surround-
ed by all the elements of substantial prosperity,
in the Union and part of it-cannot afford to
risk anything on an experiment. Her cup of
promise and happiness is sparkling to the brim.
But her safety depends upon her prudence She
onust not listen to the insdous plants and plat
itudes of disunion writer's and speakers. She
has nolot nor part in any such movement. If
South Carolina and two three other disatfected
States are determined to secede, let them go
the bond of loyalty between the other sisters
would be strengthened by their recusancy.
California being already in the Union, as we
have said, the arguments of the Express can
neither stimulate the loyalty of her people nor
add pulse-beat to fidelity that has been un-
doubted. What then !? Their tendency must be,
if they have any tendency at all, to undermine
the Union-lovfng sentiment; to exasperate the
mind of prejudice and set it ablaze to moot, at
least, question which the true patriot heretofore
believed had but one side. There is great want
of adaptability and fitness to the times shown by
its articles, we'll calculated to awaken suspicion
as to their design.
| The editor of the Express addresses himself to
us thus:
"The editor of the Press, like most of the other
editors of this State, is laboring under the most
deplorable Ignorance or indlfference-for so 1t
appears to us-as to the extent, object and ult-
mate results of the revolution which is convuls-
ing the thirty-one States the other side of the
mountains"
Probably ignorance and Indifference" both.
Ignorance, it may be, if the editor of the Express
imagines we anything very serious in the
bluster and sullying of South Carolina indiffer-
ence, certainly, as to whether she secedes or not.
'The extent of the disaffection to the Union in
the South is confined to three or four cotton
States, where it does not penetrate to the masses
of the people. Its "obect' is revolution, to en-
able few ambitious men to ride into emnence
and power The "ultimate results of the move
ment, If we are not very much mistaken, will be,
smoke! Other editors, we presume, have felt as
we did in the matter They saw no danger, i'm
mediate or remote, which could injuriously affect
our interests in California. Agitation would do
no good, if they did. They have not, like the
editor of the Express, been traversing the dreary
regions of an imaginary graveyard, which res
quired whistling to keep up the courage.
If our indifference to what the editor of the Ex-
press regards as an imminent crisis, should sur
prise him, he will please remember that the
secession cry is an old dodge. South Carolina
thought to frightcn Gen. Jackson with it twenty
five years ago. There was no ''wolf" then, and
if there is now, let her encounter 1t if she will.
There are but few to feel sympathy when the day
of calamity overtakes her.
WoN'T SAVE HIM.-President Buchanan, find
ing himself unable to govern the storm which
threatens to overwhelm the closing days of his
Administration, appointed yesterday, the 4th
inst, day of National humiliation and pray
er, with the hope of ,co,rying himself through
it. 1t is too late for prayers. Sack cloth and
ashes wouldn't avail What we want now is
compromises little more of the spirit of con-
cession on the part of the South, and great
deal more forbearance by the rigidly y-righteous
fanatics of the North. Great hope is there of
preserving the Republic by such means.
Nobody paid any attention to Mr.. Buchanan's
praying day IN this region.
A MIsTAKE.-The Nevada papers have started
a rumor to the effect that a T" DIR. McNaughton
dentist, was found dead in a barn near North