The Placer herald., 1870-01-01
BLUE CANYON CORRESPONDENCE.
BLUE CANYON, December 29th, 1859.

BLUE CANYON, December 29th, 1859.
Editor Herald 1T was to he hoped that The
election of last Fall would have put a quietus on
the question then current in the political circles,
but quite an opposite effect is noticeable, and We
are again thrown into the political arena while
the successful candidates are basking in the sun
shin, of victory and the defeated ones are thrown
into The sh AIDES of defeat. The disappointed are
murmuring abou. their lost control over the pub
lie Golfers, and the county is deprived OF that
peaceful slumber 90 much needed to recuperate
cd by their defeat, and mortified by their con-
sequent mi nority in the Legislature, they seek
relief in their old favorite practice of maigninx
the character and impugning the motives Of
those BY whom the defeat was produced. Mr..
riitor. have been asked whether / could or
net lnlorse the policy Of our Senator from Old
Placer, and beg leave, through your columns, to
answer empbatically, yes, especially his advoca-
cy of the Act inlcmnifying Hall Garrison for
Press which was destroyed by band Of ruth
less soldiers. have read with mixture Of dis
gust and amusement letter over the name OF .
California volunteer with reference to this mat
ter. While he unblushingly admits his parti-
cipaton 10 the desruc tion Of the lawful prop
erty Of another, be vaiuly attempts 10 vindi-
cate his course by plea Of necessity.
Hall and Garrison were Issuing paper Ia The
interests of Democracy, simply privilege guar
anteed to any citizen Of this Government this
guarantee will he found, too, in the instr ument
which be rs q soldier WAS sworn to uphold. de-
fcnd and protect. 1t appears that that "volun-
tccr" was unau horized by his kuperiors al hs
mi lie IirsS atn nd hn
GERS having knowledge Of their intention. Lib
erty of P ress OF thought, and the right TO ex-
press that thought are among the most sacred
rights given to us by our Federal ConstitDtico,
and the denial of these rights was our cOmplain-
ing against Kisge George, which originated the
Revolution and resulted in the separation OF the
Colonies from The Government oil Great Britain.
But this volunteer says it was necessity"
Certainly treason is crime within the jurisdic-
tion Of civil Courts and the paper in question
was issued in loyal latitude. 1t will not bs
argued that civil authority was overtbrOwn by
armed invaders, as that portion, nay, as the
whole State was for The Union, and any of8cer
could have made the arrest Of offenders With
out fear of molesation wherefore the plea Of
ne cessity But il necessity and Treason are 70
be decided by an insonsiderable number OF SOL
diers or citizens, then the Army and County
will soon become nothing more than Debating
club, while anarchy. irregularity and chaos will
pcrvade every department OF Stale, ana there
can be no certainty in the permansncy Of the
Government But it the will OF majorities
are to be expressed by acts Of violence, l ask
where will be the safeguard TO the minor
hy. And might not every recurring elec-
tion shift the Government into other hands, who
in turn would infict like penalties on those
who have established precedent. Establish
that principle, sir, and all that makes liberty
and free Government desirable 10 lost. and
In hnfC ill
away the stone irora the Scpulchre where civil
liberty has lain buried. Volunteer" it is for
tho Supreme Court and not You to define Treason
and dictate the punishment. 1t is for the LeGis-
lature OF this State to redeem, in part her proud
name az a State in the American Union; and
Old Placer now has Senator with tongue and
pen. and l know that on his return we can well
say, well done, thou good and faithful servant"
Yours, etc.,
Z. l.. RuNYoN.