The Placer herald., 1861-04-20
The Revolution of the Ballot Box.

other words, they must be coerced into the pay
ment of revenue and made TO remain in the
Union, even at the point Of the bayonet. Repub
licans everywhere indicated This as the policy of
the incoming administration. The Democracy
contended that, the use or display of force, so
far from cemcning the Confederacy woul d shiver
it into fragments that if compromise and pea
ceable means could not maintain the union of the
States, there could be no hope of union. They
accepted the issue made by the Republicans, con-
fdently believing the sober second thought OF the
American people would decide against doctrine
so olous, and fraught with such danger to the
peace and prosperity of the whole country.
1t is true that Mr.. Lincoln, and those who have
become his cabinet councillors, did not commit
themselves directly to this radical policy Of the
party, but they have maintained a non-commital
position up 10 the present time that has left the
country in doubt whether peace CT war is to be
the official programme.
But in the meanwhile the popular voice. in
various sections. has found an opportunity for
authoritive expression, and that expression has
been in determined opposition to coercion. In
Connecticut and Rhode Island, and in number
of large cities elections have been held The issue
was made squarely-the Democracy, unequvocal
ly declaring an uncompromising hostility to any
thing like the use of force against the seeded
States. And what is the result? Connecticut.
that gave Lincoln 10 900 majority over all com
petitors. re turns two Democrats to Congress. The
Republicans barely saved two Congressman and
their State officers from defeat. Rhode Island,
where Lincoln had 4.500 majority, has gone
against the Republicans by o clean sweep-the
ant-coercion party clecting Governs +. State Off
GERS, Congressman. and a large majority to the
Legislature. st. Louis which gave Lincoln plu-
rality-an event that almost crazed the Republi-
can party with joy, and caused them to fire can
non from Maine TO Minnesota given an anti
coercion majority of 2,7OO. In Cincinnati, San
dusky and Cleveland, Ohio. and Brooklyn, New
York. the elections have gone against the Repub
lcans by large majortics. And this is the inau
guration of the revolution Of The ballot box that
is to sweep away the prestige and power of Black
Republic 1t is the evidence of returning
reason among the masses and should serve rs an ad
moniton to the powers that be that they will not
be sustained in the of forcible measures gainst
the Gulf States. And in view of this popular
expression, are 10th to believe that the cXten-
sive preparations at all the Navy Yards in the
East are for the purpose of sending troops South
TO intimidate the people, or to reinforce Sump-
ter or Pickens. Such course would be the hight
OF folly and madness; and so far from eff
fccting peace, would initiate war and result in
the secession of all the slave States.
Whether Mr.. Lincoln and his advisers will
heed the progress of the balot-box re olution at
the North, and hape their policy accordingly, a
few weeks must determine The silence they
have maintained. however. taken in connection
with their warlke preparations. has not been
calculated to inspire full confidence in the public
mind and in the border slave States has caused
an increased tendency to secession. So much so
in Virginia, where the Union men were at first
in 4 large majority in the State Convention, that
now there is great fear that secession ordi-
nance will be passed; which if done the admin
is,ration will be mainly responsible for. for refus
ing 10 give some promise of a peace policy.
Every hour Mr. Lincoln trifes in this manner
with the country, he gives strength TO the North
ern revolution, that is gathering for the over
throw of Repubicanisn and at the same time
loosens the ties that yet bind the border States
to the Union.
KIILED.-Ou last Friday night, man named
JAS Hall was killed by one Owens in the vcn-
ty of Gold Hill The men had been partners in
wood chopping and were living in the same
cabin: but having several difficulties, they scpa-
rated and it is said that Hall had threatened the
life of Owens. On the night in question, Hall
went TO the cabin, and with threats demanded
admittance-this was denied by Owens. Hall
then attempted to break in, when Owens fired
through the door at him, and then opened the
door and attacked him with the butt of his gum
breakag his skull and killing him in Il few min
utes Owens then went to Gold Hill, where he
informed several persons of what had transpired
On the following day he came to Auburn and
surrendered himself. He subsequently ex-
amned and discharged as from all the circunl-
stances he appeared to have acted in self defense.
Hall was sent to the State Prison from this coun-
ty several years ago, for grand larceny, from
whence he returned but few months ago.
Ns- At the recent session of the L. S. SEN
ate, Senators Breckenridge and Douglas both de-
clarcd an opposition to the Of force, on the
part of the Government, against the seeding
States. If war instead of peace was to be the
policy. they could see no hope of preserving the
Union. are bringing back the lost men bers The
Democracy of the old States without regard to
past differences have spoken to the same effect.
and have already made successful battle upon
the issue In California the Breckenridge De-
mocracy have invited the cooperation of all
citizens, who are opposed to the Republican doc
trine of coercion, and upon this platform the
State of California will be carried the present
year. But it seems that quite number of the
presses of the State, who carried the standard
of Mr.. Douglas in the last canvass, have SO fall
EN- in love with the "whipping in" notions of the
Republicans, that they repudiate the recommen-
daton of the Breckenridge Committee, and will
not unite on such basis Very well, in this they
show their Republican proclvtics, and we hope
they will not fail, during the present season. to
60 into full fellowship with their Black brethren,
and cea sc the hypocrisy Of claiming to be of the
Democratic faith The majority of the Douglas