The union Democrat., 1869-05-01
LErrE. reo,i uUGu FARI.ES.

many of those gentlemen appended thel
names to that card in ignorance of my pas
political record, and as some are industrious
ly circulating the report that l am but vol
in sleeps clothing: basely attempting for th'
sake of Office to steal unooserved into the Dem
ocratic ranks, have deemed myself called
upon in Justice to my character for the mar
who would attempt to deceive the people, even
by allowing them to remain in ignorance,
when circumstances require him to speak,
would be unworthy of any decent considera
tion-in view of these facts, repeat, have
felt compelled in justice to my character, to
come plainly forth, an unvarnished tale deliv-
or of my whole political record.
Should the choice of the coming Democratic
Convention, fall on somebody other than my
self for the responsible office of Senator. my
personal serenity would be but very little dis
turbed but that it should be intimated. that
my present Democracy results from a desire
for Office | cannot permit to &C. unanswered
though | should go to the grave deprived of
I its dignities and honors.
In 1862, the Democratic and Republican
County Committees, of San Francisco ap-
puiDteu 10 CuiiieT, luT TUE puT-
pose of forming plan for calling joint Con-
vention of the two parties to nominate joint
ticket. A conveation was called, composed
partly of Republicans and partly of Demo
crats--the proportion of each | do not recol-
lect. This convention nominated lesisla-
tive ticket, part of Democrats and part of Re
pubieans. | was placed upon the ticket as
Democrat; say as a Democrat, for as yet
had made no political record. never having
cast vote, not having been of age at the pre-
oeeding election. However, my associations
were Democratic, and my sentiments privately
expressed, were Democratic. The ticket was
elected, and took my seat in the Assembly.
Immediately upon the organization of the
House, joint resolution was introduced en-
dorsing the Emancipation Proclamation issu-
ed by Abraham Lincoln as Commader-in-
Chief of the Army and Navy. As q war
measure voted for it. 1t was considered by
war Democrats at the time, as an abolition
movement, it was considered by others as cal
culated to bring the war to a speedy termina-
ton. entertained grave doubts myself, as
to its efficacy in THO latter respect, yet as it
still existed in the shape of a threat for the
proclamation itself had not as yet been made,
gave the administration the benefit of the
doubt. and cast my vote accordingly.
during that session. A resolution was pass
ed in caucus, universal practice, that all
should support the nominee upon joint ballot.
! John Couness received the caucus noEina-
ton. lie never received vote from me in
caucus. | used my best endeavors to elect
another man but when he did receive the
caucus nomination, | considered that good
faith required me to give him my vote upon
Joint ballot. During this session the Prac-
tice Act was so amended as to permit negroes
to testify. Some have regarded this as par
ty issue, though | must say, never could see
it in that light. 1t has been the law of the
land for seven years. 1t is the law of every
State in the Union, and have not heard Of
its practical working entailing any hardship
upon the community. BY this law, the ne
gro is permitted to tell his story, to white
| Judge and white jury; if they consider him
unworthy Of belief it is in their power to set
aside his testimony, and whatever coloring
individuals may give it for a particular pur-
pose, that is the sum and substance of the
whole law. did not see then, nor have
been able to see since, that any party princi-
pie entered into the law. believed it to fur
ther the ends of justice, and in that belief
gave it my vote.
These things are matters of record, which |
could not conceal had the disposition to do
so. But | propose to proceed still further
and fill up my political record to the last act.
At the ensuing Presidential election, that of
| '65, | cast no vote for President. Things
were so badly mixed, that l had no disposi-
| ton to do so. My first Presidential vote was
cast for the Electors upon the Seymour and
Blair ticket. at the last election.
| When Andrew johnson announced his
doctrine of Reconstruction that is, according
to my understanding of it, that the States
which attempted to secede never went out of
the Union, but remained in the Union; and
the moment they threw down their arms and
| accepted the situation, were entitled to re-
sumo their former relations to the Federal
Government, endorsed it; and my name was
the eleventh on the roll of club, which was
attempted to be formed in San Francisco, but
which attempt, like that of the Philadelphia
Convention to form grand national party
was failure, owing to the fact that Andrew
johnson was not the kind Of man to lead such
| q movement
MY next political action was to vote for
Governor Haight and the whole ticket, viii, b
he headed, not upon personal grounds. but
because the platform of the party received
nv endorsement.
Ny course in the last Presidential election
is Relieve, generally we'll known throughout
the county, and with that ends my hitherto
political record.
Now let my reasons for intruding this per-
sonal history upon the public attention be
distinctly understood. 1t is not that | expect
or seek that everybody shall endorse, no, |
am well aware that the fact is otherwise; nor
that wish to enter into any controversy con-
cerning it. for they are all dead issues. and
should he buried with the pastvbut wish to
contradict the insnuation that some have TAX
en- the trouble to make, that wish now to steal
into the Democratic party for selfish pur-
poses l have plainly stated my political re-
cord AS l have said, have no desire tc
conceal it. In my own concience, | know
that have acted according to my best notions
of Justice That same conscience tells me
now, tha. the future permanent prosperity of
the country lies in the success of the princi
Piles laid down by the Democratic party, and
isthe reason why am in it. Come veal Oh
woe, frowns or favors, l will follow that con
science, and the individual greatly mistakes
the man, when he pFoclaims that my desire
fer office has led me to my present politica
position. Pecuniarily speaking the Office il