The Placer herald., 1861-12-07
Cease your Prosecutions.

There seems to be a determination on the
part of the Administration press of this
State to drive. if possible, the thirty two
thousand men who voted for Mcconnell
into opposition to the Government. The
senseless course pursued by these papers can
be accounted for IN no other way. During
the last campaign the most infamous charges
were made 10y them against that party.
Their columns teemed from day to day with
:alsehoods, which they knew to be such. and
their public speakers delighted in splitting
venom on all occasions.
This was wholly iuexcusable, but it might
have been regarded as an electioneering
trick, had they desisted as soon as the cam,
paign was over. But they are not satisfied
They continue to indulge in the same vitu.
peraton of Democrats. During the whole
time the latter have done nothing to provoke
such malice or persecution. They have
faithfully discharged their duty rs citizens
and pursued the even tenor Of their way as
peaceful aud law abiding men. There may
have been, and doubtless were, few ''se-
cessonists" who co-operated wi ia the party
but there not more of them than there were
Aholtionsts among the Republicans prob
ably not one-ten,h part. The only ottense
of which the party can be accused is AN
earnest desire and an honest effort to pre-
vent the eti'nsion cf fraternal blood, the des
truction of the resources of the country
and of the Union itse { 10y civil war, and tc
secure the perpetuity of the Union by peace'
full means That is the extent of our offend
ING. If there is anything reasonable in
such course, make the most Of it. We
glory in it. We appeal to every unpreju
diced citizen if what is above stated is not
strictly true. Why, then do the Admins
tration journals persist in misrepresenting,
ave, slandering Democrats? We can ac.
count for it on no other suppos'ion than
that they really desire to convert them into
'secessionsts" and are laboring to force
them into such position. They cannot
accomplish this, for the Democrats will not
be swayed from the path of duty which
their convictions have marked out for them,
though their frantic enemies should rain
falsehoods upon their heads. But suppose
they could, what would be the result! We
would have civil war in our midst at once.
Oar own people wond soon be cutting each
Others throas. The family altar would be
converted into a Slau4hte pen, and desola
tion and ruin wound reign, where peace and
plenty now abide. If the allegation that
Democrats are spces>ioniss were true it
w"nh! seem that tn proper policy Of the
opposition would he to convert them from
their errors, and preserve peace within our
borders. instead Of rying to force them. as
far rs slaNdAring and heliein0 them can do
it. into AL attitude hos lie to the Government.
II is essential that the people ct California
should remain united We are at great
distance from he seat of Government; our
toreiy1, as well IT'S domesli relations are in
a precalious condition. The European skies
are lowering and we cannot tell how soon
storm may bu,st with all its fnry upon us
In such a case we must rely upon our own
resources for defense and protection. Eng
land may knock at our Golden Gate ere we
are aware of it. How can we defend our
selves if we are not friendly with each 9TH
er? The ihrty'two thousand Democrats,
who supported Mcconnell. have stout hearts
and strong hands. Whatever may be the
opinion of the result of the war with our
Southern brethern. there is not a man among
them who would Tot fly to arms to defend
the "sacred soil" of our own beloved State
from foreign invasion. We had almost said
if there is any fighting element in the State
it must be in them, but we will not. Per-
haps in case of invasion the Republicans will
do better. The Conness Democrats we
know WILL If we are to Judge of the Re
publicans by the number enlisted in this
State, we do not know that California would
l. L., ;f lo(t he, TO lot, 4
against England and France. They know
this very we'll Why they wish to force
Democrats into Indifference, if not opposi-
tiun, is more than we can understand. 1t
does seem that they are blind with folly and
mad with passion. Marysoille Erpress.