The Shasta courier., 1861-10-12
Letter from Mr.. Conness.

A silly sensation rumor has been vaga
bondiziug through the Confederate and Re.
publican papers, that Mr.. CONFESS was en-
deavorins to hatch up sort of fusion with
the Beauregarders of this State. knowing
the man as we do, we never esteemed this
absurdity as being worth noticing, as upon
its face, it was the baldest Of all nude and
silly lies. Below we give letter from that
gentleman
GEoHoE1owS, Oct. 81, 1861.
GEORGE C. GoRHAx, Esq My Dear Sir :
am in receipt of your letter of September
30th, in which you call my attention to GER
tain rumors in the public prints to the effect
that am ''endeavoring to bring about a
reconciliation among the leaders of the two
Democratic wings" You desire me to ten
Tighten my friends as to my position" and
to say 8. '.whether or not there is any found
alton for any such statement and whether
or not you would advise your old Democratic
friends to associate themselves politically
upon any terms whatever with those who
were active and leading supporters of John
r. Mcconnell at the last election
confess that your letter and inquiries sur
prise me very much. cannot conceive how
any man who pays attention to public affairs,
can fail to understand my position in regard
to parties, or in regard to the question to
which these matters directly refer, thai of
fcalty to the Government.
Those statements are made by unin.
formed or idle persons for sensation purpos-
es; or for the meaner purpose of iniuring
me. Were not convinced of your friendship
for myself, as well as your devotion to the
cause of the Union, | would not respond to
the interrogations made. Rut lest my silence
on the subject now should mislead any one,
will frankly tell you how stand. If every
man in California were against the Union,
and against using the power of the Govern.
ment to preserve itself, | would be for both.
against the people; and | would seek some
other place of abode. My opinions do not
grow out of the influences of my neighbors.
but are the result of my love of country and
my estimate of its value
| have not associated, nor will not know
ingly, associate myself with men who are
secessionists, disunionists or traitors; nor
will advise Others to do so. Treason is as
foul a crime now as it was in the time of Ben
cdict Arnold; and West Point was not worth
any more then than Manassas is now. Any
opposition to our present nationality is treas
enable, pending war, and ought to be pun
ished by banishment from the State, or incar-
ceration in prison. Upon the terms of Un-
ion can have political association, and upon
none other. care not whether my associates
come from one party or another, so long as
they are true upon the one vital point No
party can now be useful except to the extent
TO which they contribute to the great cause
To the Democratic party as Buchanan made
it, am opposed. To the Democratic party
as Douglas would redeem it, am firmly at
tached and devoted but my attachment and
devotion to it goes no farther than the extent
to which it can be made useful to the uniyer-
sal cause of civil liberty. You will perceive
that with me the Union is above party 1t is
a crime now, to raise party above country, or
to consider personal interests, pending the
greatest danger to all we have, as people.
that is worth preserving. That there are par
tisans base enough to do so we know Many
of them show more talent for getting Office,
than patriotism or a taste for war but these
things will be, no matter how much you and
/ may regret them.
Attempts to make political parties by src-
ciic agreements, and divisions of sroils, will
always fail, and are only made by narrow
and bad men. Parties must grow out of cur
rent necessities and great causes, as we'll as
continue to serve them, or they cannot con-
tinue to exist.
= To conclude however others may be-
have but one desire, which is, that this Gov
ernment may be more firmly established in
the fear and love of our people that its pros
perity may be continued and that it may be
securely transmitted to those who are to sue
ceed us.
l remain, truly, your friend,
JoHN CoNNESs.