New Orleans Republican., 1868-08-26
LETTER 0F HON. P. 4. SIBLRY, OF
CALIFORNIA,

We publish this morning the chief parts
OF the letter Of Hon. P. 81. Sibley, of the
Democratic State Central Committee of
California, to which we have before re-
ferred. 1t speaks for itself, and will do
good. Read it, loyal Democrats, read, and
summon up courage enough to think. We
take it from the New York Irish Republic,
which says this Of il
The letter from P. H. Sibley. of California,
is masterly exposition of the principles at
issue. As Mr.. Sibley, we believe, is an
lrishman, it shows the revolution that is
taking place among our race in America.
Were it not for old associations, there is not
an intelligent Irish citizen in the States that
would not follow Mr.. Sibley. Still, it is the
weakness of crime to place association
higher in the scale of manhood than duty.
These gentlemen (referring to Hon. Isaac
n. Morris, of Illinois,) have held on to the
Democratic party while there was chance
for an honorable man to stand on; but
when it became party or country" there
was nothing left for them to do but come
under the nat onal banner of Republican.
ism.
MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL
COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES HIMSELF FOR
GRANT.
The following communication was ad-
dressed by P II. SibleY to the Democratic
State Central Committee of California, of
which he has been until lately member:
"GENTLEMEN OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CEN
TRIAL COMMITTEE-I would be dong violence
to my own feelings, and guilty of unfair con-
duct to you, did / continue longer TO share
your counsels and possess myself OF your
plans in the coming political campaign.
In sentiments and sympathy l am
no longer with you. My Judgment
ciples put forth by the New York city
Convention, nor does my sense OF duty to
the country justify me in aiding to advance
Horatio Seymour to the office of President
of the United States. In remembering that
am Democrat, I cannot forget that | owe
a higher allegiance to the American Union.
l should be glad to remain in the Democrat
ic party could believe that in doing SO l
am not sacrificing those principles of patri-
otism that are higher and holier than any
sentiment of mere party fealty. ] believe
that the war was inaugurated by the South
in the interest of slavery. l believe it was
the duty of the Government to resist the
heresy of secession by arms. l believe the
calling out of troops, the draft of soldiers,
the prosecution of the war against the re-
bellioD, was constitutional and necessary for
the preservation of the life of the republic.
l believe the emancipation of slaves was
necessary and unavoidable as war meas
ure. / believe the creation of national
debt grew out of the exigencies of the long.
continued and desperate conflict. / be-
Heve the issue OF paper currency was an
evil incident to the struggle. believe that
the national debt should be paid to the last
dollar in coin of the national mint, and that
no form or measure of repudiation is con-
sistent with national honor. | am opposed
TO the taxation of Government bonds, as a
breach of covenant made with the bond
holders, and am opposed to paying those
ponds with currency instead of gold. | am
not in any degree fearful of negro suprema.
cy, nor do believe that if to the negroes
are conceded their just rights under the law,
there will be any danger of elevatlng them
to social equality with any superior race.
am and have ever been opposed to mob vio-
lence, and will never cast my vote nor use
my influence to advance to high honors any
man who, as Governor of great common
wealth, could fraternize with mob or en-
courage opposition to Just laws, or who,
when the nation needed its last man to put
down the rebellion, could, by opposing the
draft, put himself and the State in hostility
to the General Government. l could have
supported a war Democrat like Hancock or
Hendricks. I feel in my duty and con-
science compelled to vote for Grant and Col
fax. shall expect the bitter animadyer-
sions of all who love the Democratic party
better than they love their country. shall
expect to have my motives questioned and
my honor impugned. shall expect to be
assailed by partisan maLignity, and to have
heaped upon me an unlimited amount of
personal abuse; but, conscious of the recti.
tude of my motives, and in the confident
belief that am but doing my duty, have
deemed 1t proper to resign my position as a
member OF the Democratic State Central
Committee. therefore respectfully tender
you my resignation, gratefully remembering
our past pleasant relations, and entertain.
ing for you all only kind personal feelings. |
l am, very respectfully, gentlemen,
P. H. SIBLEY.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, 1868.