The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-08-06
CALF o Il N L A.
A Disguised Democrat Goes for Gram
An Important and Patriotic Letter

p. I'll. Sibley, a member of the State
Central Committee of the Democracy
Of California, resigns his position in
that committee In the following letter,
which we commend to the considera-
alton of all thoughtful men of his
party:
Gentlemen Of The Democratic State Central
COnn3iNee:
1t would be doing violence to my
own feelings. aud guilty of unfair
conduct 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 l am a
Democrat. | cannot forget that 1 owe
a higher allegiance to the American
| Union. l should be glad to remain
in the Democratic party, could | be-
lieve that in doing 50 | am not sacri-
ioing those principles Of patriotism
that are higher and holier than any
sentiment of mere party fealty. L be-
lieve that the War was Inaugurated by
the South, in the interest of slavery.
[ believe it was the duty of the Gov
eminent to resist,t the heresy of seces-
! sion by arms. | believe the calling
| out of troops, the draft of soldiers,
the prosecution of war against rebel
lion, was constitutional and necessary
for the preservation OF the republic.
| believe the emancipation Of slaves
was necessary and unavoidable as a
war measure. | believe the creation
of Il national debtgiew out of the ext
gencies of the long continued and des-
perate conflict. l believe the issue of
paper currency was an evil incident
to the struggle. L believe the national
debt should be paid to the last dollar
In coin of the national mint, and that
no form or measure of reputation is
consistent with national honor.
l am opposed TO the taxation of
| Government bonds as a breach OF
covenant made with the bondholder,
| and [ am opposed to paying these
bonds with currency instead of gold.
I am not in any degree fearful of ne
gro supremacy, nor DO / believe that
1T to the negroes are conceded their
just rights under the law there will be
any danger of ~eievating them to a So
Glal equality with any superior race.
L am and have ever been opposed TO
MOB violence, and ( never will cast
my vote nor use my influence to adj
vance 10 high honors any maj who.
as Governor ola great commonwealth.
could traternize with a mob or encour-
age opposition to Just laws. and who
when the nation needed IT, Iast man
to put down the rebellion. eouId nv
opposing the draft, put himseIf and
the State in hostility to the General
Government.
l could have supported a War
Democrat like Hancock or Hendricks
/ could support a Republican like
Frank Il. 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, commencing In the streets
of St. Louis and ending in Sherman's
march through Georgia, | approve,
but as | cannot sustain Blair without
cuSldlHluk 0Cy nlOul Il ASSAAu NOty anu
conscience compelled to vote for
Grant and Colfax.
| shall expect the animadversions
of all who love the Democratic party
better than they love their country.
/ shall expect TO have my motives
questioned, and my honor impugned.
l shall expect to be assaulted by parti-
san malignity, and to have heaped
upon me an unlimited amount of per-
sonal abuse; but conscious of the
rectitude of my motives. and in the
confident belief that [ am but doing
my duty, / have deemed it proper to
resign my position as a member
OF the Democratic State Central
Committee. l therefore respect
fully tender you my ~resigna-
ton. remembering our past pleasant
relations, and entertaining Tor you
all only kind personal feelings.
l am, very respectfully. gentlemen,
p. I'll. SIBLEY.
SAN FRANcLsco, July 13, 1868.