The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-04-27


differences. 1t is the mountain barrier
in the way 10 the reconstruction Of the
Union, aud the diffusion of harmony be.
tween the men Ofthc North and the South
Is this bisotry the offspring Of patriotism !.
BY what pFeteace Of love Of country eat,
these anti.slavcry crusaders be actuated =
Not by the lying assertion that African
slavery within Our t"'rlcrs, has irnpcdcd
our National growth aud prosperity.
Until the initiation Of their relentless
warfare against the peculiar institution Of
the South, not n cloud darkcncd the iori-
ION Of our National future. Stritiing on
from glory to glory, the measure Of our
coming grandeur and felicity, seemed al
most full to repletion. Can it he love Of
country, then, that has prompted those
actions which are eliminating in general
disaster and ruin? Is it not, on the other
hand, a mOrGid Scntimcntality growing
out Of a misapprchensiun Of the character
and capacity Of the negro race, and mis-
understanding as 10 the treatment of
slaves by Southern masters? Or if not
such sickIy sympathy for undescrving
suhjcctS-has il not been bnscr and less
cxcnsable motiye-pOwcr which has OriSi-
mated the present dcplorabIc condition Of
public affairs? Illus ii not been an insa-
table grec'l for political patronage and
position? But ignoring these latter Sug-
gestiOns, and regarding the antislayery
party at the North, as actuated solely by
n love Of country, are they not now mani
testing that devotion in a fatally mistaken
direction! Is the course being pursued
calculated to result in advantage to that
country? Let them rccOllect that while
love Of country il commcndabIc, II should
not override and crush out Of view every
other consideration. "rhc remembrance
OfpriYate right should subsist in the midst
Of public 1uarrcl$.
Nor ia there any power can authori1c
The breach VI sacred friendships solemn ties.
An honest man is not at liberty to do
every thing for the service Of his king, or
the common cause, or Of the laws. The
obligation to ones country does not super
scdc every other obligation. Tit be mag
naniInity, anil the effect Of an uncommon
and singular valor, to contcmn friendship,
private obligation, promise, and kindred,
for the public veal, and in obedience to
the magistrate; il is really sufficient to
excuse US from it. that is n greatness of
soul which could have no place in the
nagnanimity Of Epaminondas. abhor
the furious cxhortations of Julius Caesar !:
when sword. are drawn, let no remains Of love
To friend or kindred. your compassion move;
Fear not TO wound the venerable face
Ev'n ofyOur father, if opposed in place.
LIT Us deprive those that are naturally
miSchevous, bloody and treachcrous, nf
this color Of reason let US set aside this
wild, exiravngant justice, and stick to in
situations that are more humane"
Such were the wise and practical rchcc-
tons Of an eminent man three centuries
ago.-nnd they should govern the conduct
and thoughts Of the men Of America to-
day. a wild enthusiasm Of imaginary
patriotism, profcsSed love for the Consti-
tuition aud the laws, zeal for the rights,
interests and honor Of sections of the Con-
federacy, by the inhabitants of each, has
arraycd, or is now arraying, brother
against brother, and father against son, on
the Atlantic silc Of the continent. God
grant that the unholy conflict may be
stayed! Let these lanatical cOmbatnnts
gather wisdom from the incident related
in ancient history. In an action of the
civil war Of CHINA, one Of Pompey's SOL
d'crs having inadvertently killed his
brother, who was Of the contrary party,
killed himself on the spot, as soon us he
knew it, fur mere shame and sorrow."
May similar shame and sorrow pervade
The minds and souls Of those of our breth-
rem in the Eastern States, who arc now
engaged in prccipitating civil war upon
'nr' heretofore, happy land. But whether
he sad warfare between the North and
south be avcrted or not, the course Of
california is plain. She should stand
''ooI from the struggle, and seek, by the
nterpositiOn Of wise and moderate coun.
els, to bring about peace aud harmony
between the bclligerent States. Should
he be cmbrOilcd in the laMcntaLlc con-
rovcrsy, mole painful effects Of civil war
night he visited upon us, than upon the
Of any other State, North or
outh. Composed, as our population is.
natives Of every State of the old Union,
very individual filled with sympathy for
is friends and relatives in the region of |
is old home-any movement tending 10
lace California, as . commonw eaIth, in
Ostile position toward our Northern or
'OotheTn brethren, would unquestiOnabIy |
rouse state Of feeling within our own |
'ordeTS, the ultimate deIeterious results !
which no man can EOretell. Let us,
men, while we dsplOre the baneful conse-
lue"ces Of sectional contests between our
fGlIow.citizens. withhold
ur hands from ell participation In the |
Tretched strife, and strive TO pour oil unon !
be troubled waters. Duty 70 ourselves I
nd to our beloved Stats, requires the !
urSuance Of such course and obIiea. /
ons to the Federal Union, now so an.
apply discovered, can ask no more.