Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-08-24
Democratic Hobbies.

campaign upon the plan OF personaltles ana
hobbies. Fully aware that their past record
stinks in the nostrils of the people, and anx-
ious to conceal from the masses what their
real motives are. and what their policy in re-
lation to national affairs will be if they are
successful, their speakers and papers studi-
ously avoid discussing principles. and devote
their attention solely to matters not at issue
before the people. Well skilled in political
tactics and trickery. they are endeavoring by
misrepresenting the position assumed by the
Union party. to distract public attention
from their own. Take. for instance, the
course pursued by the Democratic speakers
| to whom We have listened in this town; not
one of them has talked for ten minutes
about democratic principles, the record of the
party, or what it hopes to accomplish in the
future. They dare not do it. Their speeches
have been invariably made up of invectives
against Union nominees. falsifying Union
doctrines and discussing false issues. The
principle hobbies ridden by Democratic blow
hards are, the Niger and Chinaman, the
non-taxation of Government Bonds, and
stereotyped abuse of George C. Gorham.
With brazen impudence they declare the
Union party to be in favor of Negro and
Chinese suffrage, when not a word, pro or
con. is to be found in its platform. Demo-
cratic speakers are r<iterating this base false
hood from the stump throughout the State,
and the columns of th' irparty press are filled
with the same outrageous lies. According
to the naturalization laws of the United
States none but white men can become citi-
zens. and unless they are eligible to citizen.
ship, how are they to vote: No Chinaman
has ever become a citizen of the United
States, in California, neither is there any dan
ger that one ever will. The antipathy of the
Caucasian towards the Asiatic is even great
er than towards the African. and is of itself
sufficient guarantee that the Chinese will
never be placed on legal equality with the
white man. The Copperheads have sprung
the Chinaman on the Union party simply for
the purpose of making political capital and
divert;ng public attention from their own
reasonable platform. They have so often
declared that Mr.. Gorham is in favor of
Chinese suffrage. that he has furnished the
following denial for publication:
SAN Francisco, August II, 1867.
7 -
| Committee:
Dear Sir "A circular has met my eye. in
which it is stated that I favor Chinese suf-
| frage. As final answer to all the din raised
on this subject. wish TO say that am not
and never have been in favor of the extension
of the suffrage to the Chinese. The DEM
ocracy are reduced to desperate straits when
they find it necessary to reiterate the Oft
exploded falsehood contained in the circular
alluded to.
Please give this circulation in the Union
papers. and have it advertised in the Sacra-
mento Union and Bee. and San Francisco
Bulletin and Morning Call. Yours truly,
GEORGE c. GoRHAM.
That certainly ought to set at rest the stale
falsehoods which Democratic orators and
writers have regaled their hearers and read
ers with for the past four weeks.
| In relation to the non-taxation of Govern
ment Bonds, we contend that their exemp-
ton is just and proper. At the time they
were issued the Nation was struggling for its
very existence. A bold. defiant and oft VIC
torious foe was laundering at the door of the
Capital. Timid people shrank from invest.
ing in Government securities, and those who
had the fullest confidence in the ultimate sue
cess of the National arms were not anxious
to purchase Bonds, for the rate of interest
paid was less than they could obtain else
where. Under these depressing circumstances
the Government was forced to offer some in.
ducement to capitalists in order to secure the
necessary means to carry on the war. A Law
was passed by Congress exempting Govern.
ment Bonds from taxation. Encouraged by
this action, the Ri, and poor. high and low
loyal and dislnyal. invested their surplus
funds in National securities. and the war was
prosecuted to successful issue. Democrat:
are now trying to mislead the people by tell
ing them that the law is unjust and favor:
unequal taxation; that it screens the rcf
man and oppress"s the poor. and that they
are in favor OF its repeal. We are not. The
Government has pledged its faith that the
Bonds shall not be taxed. just as solemnly
as 1t has for their redemption; and we are il
favor of keeping our promises. In addition
to this. large amount of the Bonds-somt
$500. 900. .000-are ncw taxed as Nationa
Bank securities, and that portion of the re.
mainder which is not held in foreign hand.
is subject to the Income tax. A man who
advocates taxation of the Bonds under sucf
circumstances. would be very apt to vote fol
the reputation of the entire National iudebt
edness if he had the opportunity.
The chronic abuse which Democratic vii.
liiers are constantly heaping upon Mr.. Cor
ham. is simply a re-hash of ths dlatribes n
the Union and Bulletin. They are profuse r
their charges against him. but remarkably
saving of their pro f. Mr.. Gorham has re.
peat, dly denied the allegations of these po.
litical hucksters and so-called ''independent'
papers. and challenged them to adduce evi.
dencc. if possible, to substantiate their decla.
rations; but their only reply has been g
reiteration of their malicious falsehoods. The
people have got tired of listening to these
chattering parrots. and if democratic speak.
ers dare talk about the principles of theil
party. we advise them to do so in the future
and treat US to less abuse and Justification.
10 show our Democratic friends how
their principal organ. the Examiner, talks