Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-02-09
cAJ,AVERAS CHRONICLE.
CONGRESSIONAL Candidates.

Union completely demolishes our present del
egation in Congress. The sapient editor of
that influential sheet, in a crushing leader
headed Candidates for Congress" disposes
of the gentlemen who now represent this
State, in the most summary manner, and
with sang froid that is positively charming.
What potent pen it must be that can. at
one stroke, and under republican form Of
government at that, make and unmake men.
How strange it is that such unlimited. ire
sistible power should be placed in the hands
of mortal man. But the fat has gone forth,
the die is cast, the catapult has been launch
ed at the devoted heads of our present Mem
as the day of judgment. We are not partic-
ularly interested in who may be elected to
represent other districts, but in this, the Sec
ond, We admit that we were slightly preju-
diced in favor of the present incumbent; but
since the Union has so mercilessly "shelved'
kim, We do not suppose it will be of any use
to advocate his claims to the position. The
reasons given by that paper for opposing the
reelection of Mr.. Highly are SO cogent and
logical SO unique and original, so terse and
pointed. that we can not forbear republish-
ing them. Here they are:
William Highly, having represented the
Second District for two terms, is thought by
a number of ambitious politicians and not
F. zf L 20 have ixraA fha
full measure of honor due to his capacity for
public usefulness, and the prospect is that
the majority of the county delegations to the
District Convention will be put up in favor
of some other candidate.
If a number of ambitious politicians" are
of the opinion that Mr.. Highly has represent
ed US long enough, why, as matter of course
that settles the question at once. The wish
es of ambitious politicians must be regard
ed whether they tally with the wants of the
people or not. What calamity it would
be if some "ambitious politician" of the nam
by pamby, spread eagle genus should have
his aspiring hopes crushed, just because the
people chose to entrust their affairs in the
hands of some one who has been tried and in
whom they repose confidence. The Union
says that not few of Mr.. Higby's consttu-
ents think he has received the full measure
of homer due to his capacity, and the pros
pect is that tie majority of the delegates to
the District Convention will be put up in
favor of some other candidate. Such fore
sight and sagacity are truly remarkable. We
would really like to know how the editor
obtained his information. Certainly not from
the press of the District for at least thirds
of the papers have taken decided stand in
favor of the reelection of Mr. Highly. Some
''ambitious politician" must have whispered
it in his ear. The Union assigns one more
startling reason for opposing Mr.. Highly, one
which surprises his friends as much as it does
his enemies. He is not radical enough The
Union says.
The people want to see the first step taken
toward the restoration of peace and, aware
as they are what that first step must be, when
they see Representative like Highly, who
has been blowing off radicalism with the en-
ergy of Mississippi steamer, get up in eau
whether Johnson should be impeached. they
think the time has arrived for reinforcing the
party of action in the House and shutting
down on the men of mere "sound and fury,
sigifying nothing"
How time and circumstances change things !!
Mr.. Highly was one of the originators of the
Union party in this State-one of the few
who dared to cut loose from old party ties
and lend their aid and assistance IN the form
alton of new organization, the chief plank
in whose platform was loyalty to the Govern
ment and which rested on the solid founda-
ton of freedom and equality. The Sacra-
mento Union did not endorse the doctrines
of the new party Immediately. 1t was haz-
ardous experiment. The conservative ele-
msnt was largely in the majority, and the
Union knows by long experience that major
tiles pay the best. 1t watched the progress
Of events with an eagle eye, however. and as
the party rapidly increased in strength and
power, began to trim its sails and prepare for
the change, and no sooner did the Union
party gain the ascendency than the Union
turned tail on its former friends and has ever
since been "blowing off" radicalsm as vici-
ously as it previously advocated conservatism.
The Union is eagerly sought for by all class
es of citizens, as medium of news; but as
for its exerting much influence on the popular
mind, or its opin ons having weight with the
people, its antecedents are too well known
to admit of it. TIE Union has its price, and
if it could have obtained it, would have sup
ported Breckinridge in 1860. Mr.. Highly
has now represented us Congress for four
years, and has attended as faithfully to the
interests of his constituents, and remained as
true to the tenets of the party that elected him
as any representative California has ever sent
to Washington. He may not be so brilliant
as some, but he is a sound lawyer good
speaker, ready debater and logical reason
er, and possesses a thoroughly disciplined
mind. so necessary for one occupying his
position. He understands much better than
it is possible for an inexperienced Member to
do. the wishes of the people of the State, and
his knowledge of parliamentary affairs will
materially assist him in carrying through any
measures he may think proper to introduce
The entire press of the District, with the ex
ceptlon of the Union, has spoken in his fa-
vor, and we have no doubt but what he will
be the nominee of the Union party next Fall,
the Unions 'ambitious politicians to the
contrary notwithstanding.
CHANGED HIS TAcrIcs.-Finding his vetoes
one after another, overruled, the President