The Shasta courier., 1863-04-18
SHASTA COURIER.
Letter to General Cotton:


The following letter from Marcus D. Bo-
fuck, editor of the S. F. Spirit of the Times,
to Gen. Cotton, will explain itself;
SAN FRAkeIsco, April 9th, 1868.
To GEN. d. D. GoLroN, CHAIRMAN UNION
DEnocRArIc CENTRAL COMMITTEE:
SIR:-I observe in the newspapers of the
day that you have called q meeting of the
Union Democratic State Central Committee
for Wednesday next, April 18th, in this city.
In view of that call, l ask the liberty to ad
dress you few words.
You will reccoIlect that, last year, when,
through the columns of the Bulletin, in your
capacity as Chairman of the Union Democrat
ic State Central Committee, you announced
your views, in regard to political questions
then pending, and the formation of parties
then in progress, l, as the editor of this pa
per, promptly responded to your expression
Of sentiment; and, in this paper, was the
first record made of public Endorsement OF
your action and throughout the canvass sue
ceeding, yourself and the Union Democratic
Party received free, cordial and undivided
support from u.s. The result Of that contest
was that the Union Party received 81, ,238
votes, the Union Democratic Party 2l,524
votes, and the Mcconnell or Breckenridge
Party Is ,8l7 votes. Our own party not be
ing successful, of course. was source of re-
gret; but as between the remaining parties,
the result was by no means unsatisfactory to
myself.
In looking over the occurrences of the past
year, not only in National but State affairs,
/ am free to confess that in the approaching
political struggle in this State, there shonld
be, in my judgement, but two opposing par,
ties the one, squarely in favor of the United
States Government. in favor of sustaining
the constituted authorities, and in favor of
determined, prompt and vigorous prosecution
of the existing war, until the faintest shadow
of treason and rebellion is obliterated; and
the other opposed to these propositions. With
the former l am determined to act, despite
party shackles or associations, believing it
to be an imperative duty upon every well
wisher of his country and the home of his
adoption to so dol do not stop to inquire what
political epithet may be applied to me, in thus
determining my course, so far as State poll
tics are concerned, because it matters little
what the .erms of announcement are, so long
as am convinced in my own mind, that
am but simply performing patriotic duty !;
and in addition to all that, as | am only res
ponsiblc to myself for my political action.
| think. Sir, We both stand ip the same po-
sition. All our interests are in California,
and we are bound to her welfare, her peace,
progress and prosperity, by those ties, which
men of honor and refined sen, Utilities deem
first in their consideration Under such
state of affairs would it be right for either or
both of us. by our individual acts, to do ought
which in the result might bring..ruin on those
interests alluded to, and grief and desolation
to our own families, who have a sacred right
TO demand that political pride should give
way to the dictates of humanity? think
not. We cannot afford Sir, to Go the slight
est act which, in the remotest degree, will
tend to place this State at the mercy of those
whose greatest pride and ambition is to wit
ness it whitening in the throes of civil war
and misery. Partixan presses may tell us
chat such an idea is merely promulgated to
frighten the timid but believe that oppor-
tunity is only required to inaugurate such
condition of things.
In thus speaking ofthis matter plainly and
frankly, without clothing my sentiments in
the bright colors of howery rhetoric, or in the
unpleasant garments of vituperation and
abuse; without calling in question the action
sf those opposing the Government, but con-
demning it in unmistakeable terms by my
course; and without drawing on the store Of
.'precedents" left US by e6ete and distrusted
partizans, to sustain NE IN my position, |
appeal to you, as man, citizen and pa
triot, whether it weuld be right, just or Ma
tional to still keep UP the dying embers of
political party, whose existence can only tend
to distract the Union sentiment Of California 7?
We cannot hope as distinct organization
to succeed; although if the questions now
agitating the public mind were simply the
success or defeat of political parties, instead
of the life OF death of the Government, and
the happiness Of the State, ! would not OBJ
ject 50 mich to keeping up the organization.
because | am not afraid in the least of being
in a minority party. l have had thorough
experience in that position and my past rec
ord will prove that on matters p.litical and
social, Of a puhiic nature, have been a re-
lentless partizan. We cannot affiliate. under
any circumstances, with those who, with true
manliness avnw their Secession proclivities,
orwith those who sympathise with the former,
not possessing the courage of those they seek
to support. in giving free expression to their
opinion. We cannot affiliate with any set
of men who, holding such sentiments, come
to us with ''dictation" in one hand and
control in the other. As Douglas Demo-
Gratis we could not thus insult the memory of
the illustrious dead. who, when in life. we
thought il an honor to follow saall we try to
forget him now that he is gone?
Last year my views and course, politically,
in sustaining your position were deemed of
Importance and of the very best considera-
tion; on that hypothesis venture to suggest
that, although dissenting from the policy of
last year, the same Importance must neces-
sarily be attached to an expression of opinion
emanating from the same source; therefore,
in conclusion. 1 suggest that the Union Dem
ocratic Stale Central Committee Dissolve. sug-
gesting to the true patriots within the folds
of the party to stand by the National and
State Governments, as Douglas and Broder-
lex would do were they living. To me it is
the only proper course to pursue. am for
the Government under all circumstances and
at all hazards. l will not consent to leave as
a legacy to my children that false political
pride deferred their father from responding to
a demand of his country, when that country
needed his voice and assistance
Sincerely and truly your friend and we'll
wisher. MARCUS D. BoRucK.
To THE poIxr San Eraneisco Harold