The Shasta courier., 1867-10-26
Why We Were Defeated.

hen George Z. Gorham, relying solely
upon his own genius and merits. obtained a
fair nomination at the hands Of the delegates
of the Union party, in Convention assem-
bied, we, in common with other Union pa
pers, hoisted his name, and advocated his
election to the best of our ability, as we con-
sidered it our duty to do so. That the Union
party was then largely in the majority in the
State. nearly every one, even the opposition,
freely conceded. With united party moth
ing could have been more certain than the
election of the entire Union State ticket
But unfortunately the Union party contained
a class of men who were incapable of appre-
ciating either principle, policy or discipline
men who had cast their fortunes with that
of John Bidwell-and on being defeated in
their choice of men, manifested no concern
whatever for principle, and in their debase
ment fell so low as to make open war upon
the Union party, and extend aid and comfort
tingly represented by the self styled - indie
pendent Press When the true-hearted Union
men of the State recognized that the hour had
come when necessity required and prudence
called for unity and action in the Union
camp, recreants stubbornly refused to fall
into line, and We'd with Copperheads in their
zeal to create dissensions in the loyal ranks.
And now that the election is over, and their
desire to see the Union party purified by
defeat is fully gratifed, these addle-pated
fools, who really care no more for principle
or honor than wild Digger Indians, continue
to preach about purity, and are busily en-
gagged in pointing out what they consider the
causes which led to the defeat of the Union
organ zation. Sensible men already know,
and all honorable men will admit, that the
Union party was defeated through the instru
mentality of the . independent press" and
those milk-and water men who either refused
to support the Union ticket entirely, or only
yielded it qualified support at the eleventh
hour.
Although we are defeated, it is gratifying
to know that the true hearted Union men of
the State stood by the regular nominees of the
party from first to last, and did their whole
daty, faithfully working for the ticket as it
was originally set in the field, without vast
ing time and making fools of themselves by
bowling for reorganization or reyisal Of the
ticket after the battle had been begun.
q
record, and do not fud it necessary to apollo
gise for the defeat of their party, nor try to
throw the responsibility upon the shoulders
of their gallant standard bearers Such
contemplate, dirty work is left for those men
aud their friends who having sought nomi,
nations before the Convention, felt sore over
their defeat, and returned home and harped
about corruption. The men who talk most
about corruption and impurty in connection
with the late Convention are certainly the
last persons who ought to inaugurate a cru
saGe against any one On moral grounds. 1t
is notorious that while the purest and most
distinguished members of the Union party
cOfu!ally supported ueorSe y. Uorhdih uurlhS
the campaign, and have no word Of condem-
nation to utter against him now, the list of
his opponent, and of those who came to his
support only at the eleventh hour, contained,
and still contains, almost every blackleg
gambler, and drunken, bcsotted newspaper
editor in the State Common decency would
suggest that these slanderers hereafter take
back seats, and cease to faunt their lying
assertions in the face of outraged and
betrayed party