Daily national Democrat., 1861-05-23
Patriotic Letter from a Lady to Governor
DoWney.

We find in the Sacramento Union the fol-
lowing interesting and Tatriotic letter ad-
dressed to Gov. Downey, and signed "a
Daughter of California, True to our Union !:
"Iou will and you won't; you shall and you
slant you can and you cant, etc.
TO Governor John G. Downey: 1t is diff .
cult, sir, to decide for which part of your
| late emanations to entertain the Il ost disrc-
spcct- the STOPPING sophistry, or the shrink
ing unmanliness which have become appa-
rent in your recent letters. 1t was source
Of honest pride and pleasure to look upon the
chief officer of our beautiful and patriotic
State as no quibbler, no sophist: but as the
impersonation of truth, frankness and brave
ry. But, alas we may not the veil is too
transparent. Reason, with her calm gaze,
can but see through thiA veil the deformity
which it seeks TO hide. You have not the
bravery to espouse openly the cause to
which your heart evidently clngs viz; that
of the Southern CouIederacy. You have
stopped to sophistry to impress your fellow
citizens Il majority of whom YOU are well
aware are truly patriotic and loyal to the
Government of these United States Qhrty-
four, not one less), with the idea that you,
too, are loyal and patriotic as themselves
Now most honorable sir, for the proof of
what | assert, you declare that you intend
nothing emanating from you should breathe
aught but patriotism and devotion to the
country and its Government; that you have
no sympathy with secession or those who
brought it about that you believe all evils,
real or imaginary, could find their remedy
within the Union, under the broad ipgis of the
Constitutions; and still more, you intimate
your readiness to respond to the call of its
Chief Magistrate, etc. But what, sir do you
mean when you say, "As this word (coercion)
is now popularity received, and the sense
which desired it should convey in my let
ter, it is understood to mean the invasion of
the South 10y an army having in view the
suljugaton of fifteen sovereign States, and
holding them as conquered provinces, the in
citing of servile instructions, etc, all of
which and their prospects, are advised and
gloated over by leading statesmen and jour
nails in the confidence of those who hold the
reigns of power. This is the policy to which
| cannot subscribe" Now, sir, in the name
Of the commonest kind of sense, if you be-
licve what you have just said, which is no.
thing more than what the South has been re-
ieratng since the secession raid commenced
in extenuation OF her traitorous acts, how can
you consistently say 81 acknowledge and
commend the Government, and shall sustain
1t to the extent of my ability in defending
and maintaining itself defending the Nation
al Capital, preserving property, defending its
| forts ndarsenals and collecting its revenues"
etc. Perhaps you will say my consistency
| is preserved 10y what folows-"but in an at
tempt TO annihilate half the Union YOU will
| trust, in all sincerity allow me the privi-
lege to dissent from any such policy, as can
not but look upon it as nsane-ts accomplish
ment an impossibiity." Who, without leav
ing their senses, can take this explanation of
your views as Il frank and explicit recogui-
tion of your obligations to the State and
General Government? Who can rely with
confidence upon you to maintain the integri-
ty of California in this respect? The trum-
pet gives an uncertain sound. When the no
hle sons of Massachusetts responded to the
call to defend their National Capital, what
did the Batimoreans? Raised the false cry
that Northern soldiers were invading her
State, and forthwith arguing from these false
premises (as others are doing), proceeded to
spill the blood Of those noble patriots on her
traitorous soil What says Virginia tiny ma
tive State 0-that Northern soldiers shall not
pass through her borders she will consider
hearty cordiality the troops and spurious
President and Wee President of the seeded
States. What says the South? "The North
is making ready to subjugate us; marching
upon us to incite servile instructions" etc
But you and they know full well that these
are but sophisms, coined TO deceive the peo-
pie, for the purpose of melting them to arms
against the Government. The forces of the