The Shasta courier., 1867-06-29
Address of George c. Gorham, Union
Candidate for Governor.

tor the Office OF Governor, the welcome task
is imposed on me of sounding ths note of
preparation for the impending contest
Previous to the nomination the usual efforts
we're made on behalf of the several candi-
dates. The Claims If all having been sub
mitted to the State Convention and the
choice having fallen upon me, am gratified
at being able to say, that the representative
men of the several elements of the party
have warmly, enthusiastically assured me
that they will now, as in the past, labor
zealously for the success of the cause They
will soon be heard rallying the masses to
the support of the Union ticket. The party
press, true to principle, so far as | have
heard, has already entered upon the cam
paign.
| need not remind any of you of the perils
of the past six years. Through war and
blood our blessed nation has been preserved.
Through the madness of those who would
have betrayed US after victory, and through
the wisdom of our Congress, Liberty and
Justice are being established throughout
the length and breadth of the land. But
the work is not yet DONE True it is that
many of the brightest intellects and bravest
hearts of the South have abandoned all
projects for restoring the past. To such the
nation holds out welcoming arms. But
prejudice, blindness, hardness of heart and
perverted judgments are yet too prevalent
in the late rebelliouS States to render it safe
for the patriotism of the country to slumber
The party which saved the nation must not
relax its control of tie Government while
the embers of rebellion yet glow. Nor
must any party ever again hold power in
this land which has for its corner stone the
hatred of race of men. The war of opinion
is not yet fought through. 1t is to 20 on
until national citizenship shall be beyond
the control of local authority, and manhood
alone be the test of the right to voice in
the Government. These are the honest
views of the great body of the American
| people, and whoever questions the policy Of
| giving them utterance, let them take courage
in the reflection that his neghbor is no
more likely to be unjust than himself
With such aims as these in view, who
shall dare to raise his voice to make dis
cord in the only party through which they
can be accomplished? Who shall dare,
by sowing dissentions in the party now, to
peril our success next year, at the Presi.
Dental election, not only in California, but
in Oregon and Nevada, upon the political
action of which this, the parent State,
exercises so commanding an influence?
But, independent of the importance of the
national questions altogether, who is will
ing to see the restoration of Democratic rule
in this State? Shall we entrust to that
party the management of our common
school system? Shall they be relied upon
to pass judgment upon measures inaugurated
for the development of the State, and be
, free to direct aud educate to their exploded
doctrines the coming thousands of immi
grants who are to till our fields, delye in our
mines and construct cur great system of
public improvements The tyranny and
profligacv of Southern rale in California are
yet two well remembered by the people to
admit of the thought of its restoration.
But notwithstanding the vital necessity at
this time of the success of Union party
principles and Union party organizations,
murmurings of discomfort are heard from
quarters which have sometimes lent us aid
from without the party lines. A portion of
the independent press, refusing at all times
to be bound by the action of the Conven.
/ tiuns of the party, has attempted to dictate
its policy and its nominations, and failing to
overawe its assembled representatives, has
taken up arms against the organization
A persistence in this course will make
them the allies of the Democratic party, and
as such, they must be met as we meet all
enemies of our cause. These papers for
bade my nomination hy the Union State
Convention. They say have been employed
| to urge upon the Legislature schemes for
the improper expenditure of public money.
| The charge is without foundation, and is
utterly untrue. l never in my lite aided in
the passage of any measure in the Legisa
turefor consideration. | never made use
or advised any improper influences to reach
| H. LII e l.
j is weH known that my presence at the Leg
islatare was at first for political purposes, to
all in the elevation of another--not myself
to Office; and subsequently to urge party
action on national subjects then of great
uaoment, and to solicit aid for the circulation
1 of a little sheet called the Free American,
through which | was, at my own expense,
calling public attention to the subject of re-
EconstructiOn. | mean to be clearly under
stood as giving a full and complete denial to
all the charges made against me, not one of
Which can for a moment stand in the pres
epce of the light Of truth
kBut they go further, and say that | am
sure, If elected, to be under the control of
schemers and jobbers. To those who know
me, so absurd a proposition needs no denial !;
but know | must address myself to those
who do not know me-
Much has been said of measures for the
disposal of property belonging to the State,
and charges are made that those interested
have secured pledges from me that i will,
IT elected, give such measures my sanction
These charges are untrue. and so far from
their having any foundation in fact, here
emphatically declare that no bill to dispose
OF State property anywhere, without full
and just compensation, could ever have my
sanction. If any have aided in my nomina
ton with expectations contrary to this dec
laration, let them dismiss such hopes for
ever
It is also said that would approve heavy
appropriations to aid public improvements.
Let my reply he explicit. l believe that the
public Improvements so necessary to the
building up of the material interests of the
State must rely mainly on private enterprise
and that public aid should ONLY be invoked
after great outlays of private capital have
already been been made, and l pledge my
sell to the tax payers Of this State that no
measure to add to the burden of the public
DEBT shall ever receive my approval, in the
event of my election. unless it is clearly in
obedience to the demand of public opinion,
and clearly to the advantage of the common.
wealth. No interest of private parties shall
ever be subverted through me at the expense
OF the State. | have made no pledge, ex-
pressed or implied to any corporation or
individual upon any proposed measure