The Shasta courier., 1863-01-17
Letter from French Culch,
FRENCH GuIcH, Jan. IA, Isl

| FRENCH GuIcH, Jan. IA, 1868.
+ Mr.. EDITOR Constitute as we ard;i it is
mot in our natures to be uninterested and in
different spectators to the great events that
are transpiring. which will shape the desti-
nies of the world for ages to come. Every
flash of the electric wire awakens fear or ex
cites hope All that we hold dear h our
political and national relations is at state-
The best government the world has 0seen
is on trial for its life. Treason has Stuck
the blow, and Despotism approves the heed
The nations of the earth gaze in wondes up
on the scene. and wait in trembling sol 3itude
the issue of the conflict In the fha esult
they read their destiny. If our countrs falls
they prolong their power to destroy. our
country lives every throne on earth Il be
shaken, and all forms of human vaA alage
viii pass away forever. In this trem Idous
contest we cannot be neutral. Our s5mpa-
thies, our fortunes and our lives areI IN for
the country. We deem no sacrifice Il ceat,
no price too costly for the salvation our
it was, it is true but regenerated, |6ed,
liexalted, the leader of nations, the pio1 Ter of
universal freedom, the harbinger the
worlds future glory.
Never, perhaps, since the foundation br es
tablishment of our National GoyernpcnE, has
a more important state paper been ksued
| than that which came from the hands q Pre-
sident LincolEon January lst, 1868. That
decree has forever put quietus to slavery in
the United States of America, and the signs
of the times truly indicate that the minds of
the loyal people of this great Republic are
fnlly ripe for its reception. But, as as to
be expected, some are disappointed anf they
pretend to foresee (and clandestinely dope, J
as the ultimate result the downfall amp dis
memberment of the Federal Union.
While very large majority of the voters
Of French Gulch are unconditional Union
n1cn, there are, nevertheless, those 10 our
midst who rejoice at the least and every sue
cess of jeff. Davis & Co., and when the Pre-
sidcnt's proclamation came, it was no Her.
eulean task to discern who were the sympa-
thizers with our serring brethren" Some
even that had the audacity to irrogate to
themselves the name of Union men, were
chop-fallen, and Cain like, their g counte-
nance fell" or perhaps l should say their
ire rose to boiling heat. Such men are very
willing to hold Office, and thus live upon Un-
Gle Sam. If this Republic is oppressive why
do not these individuals leave it a1d 60
I. down South to Dixie ~ Why remain Aere,
when by joining the c. s. A. they would be
perhaps at home? No, Office and its emolu-
ments are what they want, and consequently
we find them trying to sail along under the
misnomer of Union men when at heart they
are traitors.
| Yes, Mr.. Editor, am sorry to say that
the Union county Of Shasta has men st{eh as
| l have thus described within it, who draw
their stated salary from its treasury, money,
too, the most of which has come from its loyal
| citizens. How long shall these things exist
| How long shall our checks crimson ut the
Thought that men who Gcsirc the success Of
this wicked rebollion-men who are con.
stantly finding fault with any and all ipeans
which the Government may put forth 10 co
cree and bring back the rebels to theirrighi
minds, are holding Office in the loyal county
of Shasta?
During the coming campaign let the loyal
men of our county rally, and see that none
but reliable men are nominated to the various
offices of trust and honor, and then we shall
not be chagrined with so many secession
sympathizers.
This article, already too long, must bring
to close by just saying that having heard
that certain persons contemplate presenting
themselves for the suffrages of the people,
have written it, and what say to one would
say to all-WArcH
Yours, respectfully, LOYAL.