The Placer herald., 1864-09-03
The ABoLITIONIsTs IN STATE CONVENTION

The ABoLITIoNIsrs IN STATE CONVENTION
That strange patchwork organization, yclept
the Union party" met in State Conven-
ton, at Sacramento, on Tuesday. "Long
hairs" and 'short-hairs' were there in nearly
equal strength, striving for the mastery, and
although the bitterness ongendered by fac
ton, promised to mar the harmony of their
deliberations, yet they managed to get
through their labors in passable peace
although old sores were far from being
healed, but were plasered for the time, to
break out with more virulence hereafter.
The "long-hars" or old line Republicans
secured the organization of the Convention,
AMI ovnced the determination to carry out
programme for the benefit of their wing
in defiance Of Conness & Co, but for reasons
that do not appear upon the surface-perhaps
the threat of bolt by the Connessites-
they subsequently loosened their grip, and
came off with the smaller honors of the
convention In fact were completely beaten
nominations, as the Connessiles secured all
their candidates
For Senatorial Electors J. G.. McCalum,
'long hair" and Sam Brannan, "short hair"
were nominated. The other three electors
we are not able to classify, but surmise that
they belong to the "long hair" persuasion.
Both sides seemed pretty well satisfied and
they adjourned to meet in three separate
Congressional conventions.
AS the old liners had exhibited a decided
majority in State Convention, and had all
along been camorous for separate conven-
tons to nominate Congressman, it was pre-
sumabe they would secure some if not all
of these much sought for positions. But it
| seems they went after wool and came out
shorn"-not obtaining single nomination.
The great contest was looked for in the
Second District, when Highly, (present in
cumbent and Conuess' right bower,) Booth,
Iue, and several others were candidates,
besides A. A. Sargent to fall back upon
! Ih e canvass for the position had been par
tic ulaily warm, and Mr.. Yule for months
had been canvassng the district for dele
| gates. 1t was considered that none of the
| candidates could command ma GRITTY Of
delegates, but that the long hairs had the
convention, Ilgby's name was presented
then Sacramento WAS expected to follow by
tltrnc Booth as long haired" candidate,
bat instead OF that Sacramento declined to
put him forward, and flopped over to Highly
| &c W.
and Sargent ranks, and showed them in
stantIy that the game WAS up. The detection
Of Sacramento secured Iligbys nomination
beyond peradventure, and all that was left
for Messrs. 4ule and Sargent, sas to climb
down with tie best grace they could. Com
seqnenty al opposition was withdrawn, and
without ballot Highly was nominated BY
accIamation Every "long hair" in the con.
vention "heard something drop''-for there
never was heavier fall in the arena of
California politics. And never did little
| "Peanut COuuess achieve a more crown
ing triumph. Sackcolh AID ashes, weeping.
wailng and knaaAng of teeth, secret aud
bitter cugsing is all that is left for poor
Sargent and poor Yu|e
In the first, or san Francisco District, the
"boys" withdrew the name of Billings. the
blind they had used to secure the San Fran
cisco primaries, and put forward MrRuer.
one of Conness' pets, and nominated him by
just two votes over Mr.. Cole, the present
Representative. 1t was a close foht, but
Conness, with his usual luck, came out
| victor
In the third district, Tom Shannon was so
clearly in a wofu minority, that he was
early raled off the track. This left Parks
an old Brecllinridger, but identified with
The long hairs" and John BjdNell, "short
hair" as the principal candidates Mr.. Bid
well does not seem to have been obnoxious
to the old-Iiners and was finally permitted
to receive the nomination by acclaination--
but that he may be ca>sed with the "short
hairs" and will be under the dictation OF
Conness, if elected, there can be no doubt.
On the whole, CONFESS and his friends can
claim signal victory, and the old Republic
cans can in the future, as they have for a
year past, indulge in the sorrowtnl reflection,
that they are working in the harness, with
John Conness handling the reins and plying
whip and spur,