Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-04-20
The State Convention.

Francisco, on the 10th inst, and after desig-
mating the 18th of June next as the day for
holding the State Convention, and adopting
a test to be taken by those who wish to par
ticipate in the primary meetings for the cleo
ton of delegates, it adjourned. The hrst
note of preparation for the coming struggle
has been sounded, the shrill tocsin of war,
announcing that the strife between the prin-
ciples of freedom, justice and equality, and
slavery, ignorance and barbarism, is about to
be resumed, comes rolling up from the plains
echoing and reverberaung through the noun
tain gorges, warning Union men to gird on
their armor and prepare for the fray. The
leaders of the oft ft-defeated, bastard Democra-
cy, gathering courage from the result of the
Connecticut election, are bending all their
energies to the task of rallying their broken
columns, with the determination of making
one last desperate effort for the supremacy
this Fall Humiliated. spiritless and crest
fallen from their repeated defeats, and know
ing that they are outnumbered by their op
oeNSSSo
based upon the hope that discord and dis
sension may creep into aud divide the ranks
of the Union party. while they. presenting a
solid, unbroken front, could easily vanquish
the different factions and emerge from the
contest victorious But if the Union organ
ization remains intact, and stands firmly By
the principles embodied in its platform
principles which have stood the fiery test of
a sanguinary conflict of four years duration
and came forth from the struggle triumphant,
purer and holer for their bloody baptism
principles which are dearer than life to every
loyal heart, and the upholding of which pre-
served our identity as a nation-they will
sweep their enemies from the field like chaf
before the wind, and consgn them forever
to their political graves. Upon the Conven-
ton which will meet in Sacramento on the
18th of June next, responsibilities of the
gravest character will devolve. To their
Judgment and decision will be left the task of
selecting candidates to be supported by the
loyal citizens of California, for the different
State offices, ct the coming election. If, as
will undoubtedly be the case, the Con
vcntlon should be harmonious in its action,
a nomination at its hands will be equivalent
to an election, and too much care cannot be
evinced in the choice of standard bearers
None but those who have been unwaverins
in their fidelity to the party, and who have
not manifested even the semblance OF desire
to follow in the wake of the recreant John
son. men whose honesty, integrity and abili-
ty are unquestioned, should be placed before
the people for their suffrages. The Conven-
ton should not forget that the party which
they will represent is composed of heteroge-
neous materials-made up of those whom,
previous to its formation, belonged to every
political organization in existence, but who,
impelled by the necessity of pres, rving lnvi-
olate the principles of free government, flock
ed to its standard upon the breaking out of
the rebellion. To insure harmony and unity
of action in its ranks, the ticket should be as
evenly distributed as possible throughout the
SldLC AO idNOllllSLl OS oIlOHn lLOSS
: who formerly belonged to any particular po-
litical organization. If a proper spirit of
fairness and justice is exhibited by the Con-
vention in these respects, and judicious Sc
/ lection of candidates made, no fears need be
entertained for the result. The test adopted
| by the Committee is good one. threads as
: follows:
: The Union voters of the State of California
who are in favor of the adoption of the pro-
posed Constitutional Amendments. and of
the reconstruction of the late rebel States in
accordance with the laws enacted by Con-
gress, are requested to participate in the cleo
ton of delegates.
This test cannot fail to give satisfaction to
, and meet the hearty approval and approba-
ton of every truly loyal citizen. The mode
of reconstructing the States lately in rebel
lion, pursued by the Thirty ninth and con-
tinued by the Fortieth Congress, has been
submitted to the people and endorsed by
them in nearly every Northern State. Il, as
the Southern people complain, the recon-
struction measures passed by Congress are
too stringent in their provisions, they have
no one to blame but themselves for it, and
the recent action Of the Governors of some of
the Southern States, in appealing to the Su-
preme Court for aid in opposing them. rem
ders it all the more imperative that the line
of policy adopted by Congress should be per-
severed in. The action of the Southern lead
ers proves conclusively that they are at heart
as traltorous and defiant as ever, and that,
notwithstanding the chastisement they have
received, they still the implacable foes of
the Government. Instead of quietly submit
ting and accepting the situation in which
their rebellious acts have placed them, and
endeavoring by good behavior to regain the
rights and privileges they once enjoyed in
the Union, they are constantly employed in
plotting treason, and by every means in their
power impeding the work of rehabilitation.
What does the South expect to gain by such
a course: Do they for moment suppose
that the loyal people of the North will sur
render, at the ballot-box. a principe for
which they poured out their blood like water.
on many hard fought battlefield, to main
tain, or do they base their hopes upon the
aid and assistance which they expect to re-
ceive from Northern apologists for treason
In either case they are doomed to disappoint-
ment, for the Union party is in power, will
remain there. and stands uncompromsinglv
committed to, and will pursue its present