Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-08-15
A Member of the California Demo-
cratic Committee Declares for
lsraut and COifnx.

Grant ana COtHhAs
The following communication was ao-
dressed by p III. sibley to the Democratic
State Central Committee of California, OF
which he has been until lately member:
Gentlemen of tie Democratic State Central
Committee Il would be doing violence to
NY 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
sentiment and sympathy am no longer
with you. My judgment neither approves
the platform of principles 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 a Democrat, can
not forget that owe higher allegiance to
the American Union should be gad to
remain in the Democratic party, could be.
lieve that in doing SO l am not sacrificing
those principles Of patriotism that are high
er and holier than any statement OF mere
party fealty. | believe that the war was in
augurated by the South in the interest of
slavery. | believe it was the duty of the
Government to resist the heresy of secession
! by arms. | believe the calling out OF troops,
| the draft of soldiers, the prosecution OF war
! against rebellion, was constitutional and
| necessary for the preservation OF our repub-
| lie. | believe the emancipation OF slavery
| was necessary and unavoidable as war
| measure. believe the creation of nation
al debt grew out of the exigcncies of the
long-contnued and desperate conflict. l
believe the issue of paper currency was an
evil incident to the struggle. believe the
national debt should be paid to the last dol
lar in coin of the national mint, and that no
form or measure of repudiation is consis.
tent with national honor. | am opposed to
the taxation of Government bonds AS n
breach of covenant made with the bond
holders, and am opposed to paying these
bonds 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 elevating them
to social equality with any superior race.
am and ever have been opposed to mob
violence. and never will cast my vote nor
use my influence to advance to high hOnOrs
any man who, as Governor of great Com.
monwealth, could fraternize with mob or
encourage opposition TO just laws, OF 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 sup
ported a War Democrat like Hancock, oi
Hendricks. l could support Republican
like Frank p. Blair, Jr., your candidate for
Vice President. His early stand for the
rights of the black man his opposition to
slavery; his brilliant war record, commen-
cling in the streets of st. Louis. and ending
in Shcrman's march through Georgia, ap
prove but as | cannot sustain Blair with
out sustaining Seymour, feel in duty and
conscience compelled to vote for Grant and
Colfax. ! shall expect the bitter animad
versions of all who love the Democratic par
ty better than they love their country
J expect to have my motives questioned and
my honor impugned. l shall expect to bt
assaied by party malignity, and to have
heaped upon me an unlimited amount o
personal abuse; but conscious Of the rccti
tude of my motives, and in the confdcn
G belief that am but doing my duty, havt
deemed it proper to resign my position as
member Of the Democratic State Contra
Committee. therefore tender You my re
signation, gratefully remembering our pas
a pleasant relations, and entertaining for yol
all only kind personal feelings.
am, very respectfully, gentlemen,
' =. III. SHELLEY.