The weekly Butte record., 1867-09-28
Partfsan Exaggeration.

party and in assigning positions to opponents not
exactly fair toward those whose only fault, per-
haps, is Iaudable desire to fill some public station
The recent election afforded notable examples Of
this tendency of the partisan press. and for that
matter, the independent press too-the latter
rather excelling the former in fastening upon can
didates characters and attributes foreign TO their
natures and ambition. 1t still ereeps out IN the
canvass for the approaching special election which
was purposely separted from the general election.
that our schools and courts might be directed BY
the calm, sober Judgment and good sense of the
people. unprejndced and unnfuenced by the ex-
citement and exaggeration of partisan strife. It
was an acknowledgment by the legislative wisdom
of the State, that there was too much devotion TO
partisan interests in political campaign to prop
ery subserve the best interests of the general pub
lie. The remedy, however, is found To be ineffect
tive and the legislature has very properly taken the
preliminary steps to abolish the useless expense Of
. special election. 1t was found that partisan
conventions designated candidates for this purity
special election, that they were obliged TO pledge
themselves to the support of partisan platforms,
and nominees and rely upon partisan efforts for their
might be successful but the bench, and the State
Superintendent of our Schools, must be first part
san, then pure if it should so happen.
In the present canvass, the candidates now be-
fore the people of the State, have to encounter
much partisan opposition as did those upon the
recent State tickets, and whatever else partisan in
genuity can invent. John SWEET, the present State
Superintendent is charged with insanity, although
he has long occupied the position. The charge of
sectarianism is laid against his opponent the Rev.
0. P. Fitzgerald. Against the general charge of
insanity there is, perhaps no reply, but the record
of the man, of which the people are to judge. In
answer to the charge of sectaranism, the opposing
candidate, Mr.. Fitzgerald expresses himself in IA
vor of freedom to all in the exercise of religion,
and considers folly to regard sect or creed in es
tmating the goodness in man. He says: ''lf cleo
ted Superintendent will recognize neither party,
sect nor creed in the functions of that ofllee will
exert myself to guard the school system against all
encroachments of political, sectional or sectarian
bias. In one respect only may be lberal in the
estimation of some of my fellow citizens
While am strongly in favor of extending educa-
tiona facilities to ALL irrespective of color
deem it inc xpedient to change the present system
which already provides separate schools for coored
children A correspondent discusses the quail
fcations of these candidates, elsewhere in our pa
per- and we make this alluson in order that our
readers may have the advantage of such informa-
ton as we possess the subject to aid them in de-
termining to whom they will confide the direction
of the common school system of the State. If we
have an objection to Mr. Fitzgerald, it is one that
may be no objection with others, and that is--he is
. professed Minister of the Gospel, and had no bu-
sness dragging his clerical robes into partisan
convention. and snbjecting his calling to the asper-
sions and chickering's of political strife. Those who
do so, in our estimation, are neither good Ministers
nor good politicians. Lacking the energy to sue
coed in their calling. is it probable that they
better calculated for office? 1t is for tie people to
decide between them. We do not anticipate the
destruction of our school system, whoever may be
chosen Superintendent. The people, through
the law making power will see that the school sys-
tenn is not perverted or rendered imperative.
So. too, should partisan matters be ignored in the
choice of our Judges, if We would comply with the
spirit ofthe law while it remains upon our statutes
the only requisites sought for in candidates since
the courts but 10 declare the law pot into effect
by the voice of the people at their general cleo
tions when policies and principles are discussed,
as well as the personal characters of aspirants
This being the case, il would seem policy to coniine
the discussion of partisan affairs to the general
election, and place sneh information only before
fhe in a ika hn Lat
enable them to choose the man best qualified for
the position. As showing the spirit of the local
press, and the difficulty experienced by the people
In the endeavor to choose their Judges uninuenced
by partisan prejudice, We reproduce the following
articles from the Chico papers. That we may
avoid the charge of garbling. we present the art
cles entire. The Butte County Press, of the 18th
instant, contained the following:
SrurENpoUs CEIME-A party of Democrats in
Marysvle, on the 18th instant. had ioitication
over the result of the election at the residence of
Dr. McDanel. and the appeal charges that said as
semblage OF Democrats did then and there give
three cheers for JEFF. Davis. Beauregar6 aud Lee
Upon this charge beiug made DR.. Wilkins comes
out in a card denying that he joined in any demon
strationS of regard for these three distinguished
gentlemen We have always entertained an excel
lent opinion of Dr.. wilkins. but do think his
part. Suppose he did join in cheering these three
men? There are none more worthy the regard and
admiration of their fellow men, They stand before
the world pre'emnently distinguished for all that
constitutes genuine manhood. Before the South
asserted her right 10 self government and ndeper-
denee they performed important services in the war
with Mexico. and the two first severely woun-
ded In upholding their country's honor in that
struggle. II is generally conceded that jeff. Davis
through his gsllantry and military skill at Buena
Vista, saved General Taylor's whole army from
destruction. and won victory the results of which
cannot be overestimated. The acquisition of Cali
fornia was one OF the results of the war with Mex
leo, which gave to the appeal and his mongrel
bloodhounds desirable homes on the Pacific Sou
thsrn policy, Southern men. and Southern money
gathered California into the fold of the Union
against the threats of diSunion from the Abolition
lists who now consider ii such a crime to speak IA
vorahly OF those who shed their blood in its acqui-
sition. OF the Anlericals army composed chiefly of
volunteers, who did the fighting in Mexico the rec
ordS Of the war Office show that - 100 rank and
file, were from the Northern States, and L, 900
rank and tile were from the Southern States. The
U. S, Treasurers report also shows that the South
ern States paid three tourihs Of the revenue that
WAS put into the national treasury. 50, you Mon,
grel revilers now 50 loud in lip patriotism, but who
then prayed that the MeNioans would welcome
American soldiers with bloody hands 10 hoSpitahle
graves. you now see that you are indebted TO the
men whom you now 6enounce as traitors tor the
very homes You now occupy. II Dr. Wilkins is
ashamed to have it said that he eheerri Jefferson
Davis, Lee and Beanresard. We Mr.. -ippeal will
step in and relieve him Of the responsibility. We
shout perpetual WAS 10 these distinguished cham
pions OF RIGHT, and their late eompeers, and do
you herald the fact 10 Your hearts content. Mon
umenta marble and storied urn Will commemorate
their virtues and greatness when no man, in any