The weekly union record., 1864-08-06
Craven-souled Democrats Lectured.

n tie California Express Of "Wednesday the
following article appeared at the bead OF the
6rst editorial colana:
PRoTEsr AGAINST MILITARY ARRFsrs.-We
are informed that some Of the cRAvES-so-LED
KIND oF DEsocR4Ts below are opposing the
idea Of al Indignation meeting being held in
San Francisco for the purpose OF protesting
against arbitrary arrests. Why Is this? Has
the iron Of despo,ism penetrated 50 deeply that
al sense of I7anhooa IS lost? We think THE
cRAgESs will be few. and tina. the brave Dem
ocrscy Of San Francisco, cODsci0us of their
rights. will meet together ,aUd with all the
ealmness, dignity and frmness which becomes
freemen, protest against all acts Of despotic
power. Let them demand that be civil law
shall be supreme in California, aud that 10 one
shall oe deprived Of lie. liberty or property.
otherwise than by the lawful judgment OF bis
peers, pronounced u due form through the
Courts regularly established. When The Chi
cago Times was Illegally suppressed BY order
Of General Burnside, the masses of that CITY
rose Up as with one common Instinct of indg
nation, and 10 thunder tones demanded the
freedom Of the press The military authorities
heeded their voice. In New York no man
submits to arbitrary arrests with impunuy.
beclsse the Governor of tnat State has sworn
to uphold the Constitution and to execute the
laws. aud Is determined TO keep the oath. How
Is 1t in California? Have We live Governor.
jealous Of encroachments on the peoples liber-
ties, and ready TO vindica,e the sovereign
majesty Of law? Alas, We fear il is too true
that he stands ready 10 give over the golden
keys OF his State into the hauds Of military
power.
Aside from the reference TO q certain class
Of men who have up TO this period, acted with
the so-called Democratic party-the Express
sees fit to call them "crausn souted.7 notwith-
standing they last year supported Tod Robin
son, Weller Il Co.-the article above quoted is
worthy of some attention as showing to what
lengths bFazen assurance may go in sustaining
a wicked and disloyal party aud its leaders 10
their Infamous designs against the National
Government. That c. l.. Weller, 10 the har
angue for which be was arrested, was guilty Of
n most treasonable act against the Government
under which he lives, aud one, if persisted in,
which would tend to incite riots and boodshed
if not civil war. there can be no doubt in
any unparalleled mind. In bis speech, be not
only advised resistance to drafting, and appealed
TO the passions of foreign born citizens in order
to dissuade them from volunteering, but went
so far as to advise the formation of armed or
ganizations to resist the laws And what
would be the result Of such action on the part
Of any set of men-"Democrats" or avowed
secessionists: Just such an attempt at nullify-
ing the laws, iusiigated by Fernando Wood
aud his traitorouS compeers, resulted in riot and
bloodshed in the city OF New FORK, aud in the
death of good citizens and destruction of prop
erty. And what did the rioters accomplish
Did they prevent the execution of the laws, or
avoid compliance with their requirements Z?
Exactly similar must inevitably be the results
OF such appeals TO the illiterate masses of San
Francisco and the State, as that made by
Weller, if any serious attempts are made to set
the laws at defiance. The ignorant dupes Of
unScrupuous politicians will be the greatest
su1erers-unless a Wholesome example is made
of the couspirators who have been the prime
movers in stirring up revolt. The opinion Of
the Express, that The brave Democracy of San
Francisco, conscious Of their rights, will meet
together, and with all the ca!mness, diguity and
iirmuess which becomes freemeu, protest against
all acts OF despotic power" sounds very fine !;
but Judging of what the meeting will be by the
manner in which the aforesaid brave Democ-
racy' received the speech of Weller, We beg
leave TO doubt lis being characterized by .
ye-y great degree of "eaImneSs, dignity and
frmncss." We shall see.
The Express, it seems to Us, might have
found cases aaordiDg a nearer parallel to The
arrest of Weller than it did-for instance, those
Of Yalandgham and Medary. But policy is a
great point with the Express. The less said
by that paper, however, about Gov. Seymour's
determination ito keep The oath of office, in
the light OF his past course, the better pclicy
The Express fear that We have not a live
Governor, Jealous OF eucroachments on the
peoples liberties" etc. is not intended for
craven -souled Democrats" but as q secesh
thrust at those oldtime Democrats who voted
for Gov Low. Taken altogether this article
from the Express, like some counterfeit money,
is well calculated 10 deceige-those only who
trust too implicitly its appearance. To a care,
lul reader. its baseness is clear Craven
soued Democrats" would do well to give it an
analytical perusal
ANOTHER CANDIDATE FOR MARTYRDoM.-
II saemS that o few nf our enternrisinc mniarn