Year: 1864

We have on more than one occasion through
these columns expressed our preference for Gen.
John Bidwell as candidate for Presidential Elec.
tor. His name is mentioned In connection with
position Of Congressman for the Third District,
but we are of the candid opinion that he nei-
ther seeks or will accept that nomination. How
ever this may be. and without any positive au-
thority in the matter, on the eve of the State
Convention we again announce him as our first
choice for the honorable position of PRESIDEN-
TIAL ELECTOR FOR THE STATE AT LARGE.


Gen. Bidwell was one of the early settlers of
the Sacramento valley. man of good mind,
unobtrusive manners and more than ordinary
ability, he has, both socially and politically, won
a high position in the hearts of the people of
Northern California. A Democrat of the old
school, he was an earnest co-worker in the ranks
Of that party so long as it vas honorable to do
so. But when as a delegate from this State to
the Presidential nominating convention in 1860,
he found that men whose motto was "rule or
ruin " were seeking to bring the party into dis
grace by undermining the Democratic system of
government under which they had lived and
fourished, he abandoned that party, the
record fully shows. Since the commencement
of the rebellion his every thought and act has
been in aid of the Government and those holding
the reins thereof.


We have said that Gen. Bidwell was an old
resident of this section Of the State, and as such
he is quite famiiarly known. But as there are
hrn ads - 4
within a year past had never come in contact
with him, and who now for reasons unnecessary
to state here naturally feel interest in his be-
half, we propose to give some extracts from a
speech made by him before the Union Club of
Oroville, (which we find in full in the Union
Reeord.) soon after his from the East
whittier he had been as delegate to the Conven-
tion which placed Lincoln and Johnson in nomi-
nation for President and Vice President. In
reference to the dongs of the Convention Gen.
Bdwell said


g. All the business Of that body transacted
in little over one day. Only think of it--a
Convention Of over 400 MEMBERS preliminary
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES committees appointed
their arduous labors and reports-permanent Or
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and platform-qucstions
of representation in the Territories and the Sc
ceded States-contested elegations-nomina-
tions of candidates for the two highest Offices in
the uation-and thousand other things that
might be mentioned in detal-all accomplished
in so short n time. But in reference to the action
of the California delegation in the Conv ention,
can only speak for myself l had the honor to
serve on that most laborious of all committees
the Committee on Credentials, which occupied
more than half the time the Convention was in
session. While serving on that committee had
occasion to learn the sentiments and feeling of
the people of the Border States. On the SUBJ
ject of slavery they are more radical, judging
from the representations of their delegates, than
any people ever saw. Nothing short of imme-
diate unconditional emancipation would be list
ened to. | thought | never heard the rebels
cursed before. No man who has not seen and
suffered the terrible scenes enacted by seces-
sonsts in the Border States, can have any con-
cepton of the intense feeling existing among the
true loyal men of the States of Kentucky and
Missour-and the same might no doubt be said
of all the Border States. Anything like con-
servatsm would not answer their purpose With
them it must be no slavery, or all slavery-no
middle ground will suit their present condition"


He says in regard to the unanimity of feeling
rs to who should be the choice of the Conven-
tion for President, that " as much as we wanted
30 praise Mr.. Lincoln-to protest our earnestness
to stand by the Union, and remain faithful to the
great and holy cause of preserving our national
existence-to say that we wished to see the war
prosecuted with greater vigor, the cabinet
unit, the army and navy increased, the Union
restored in all its territorial integrity, and finally
a lasting peace, such a one as can only be OBJ
tanned by eradicating the disturbing causes of
our present troubles and many other things
no man, not even Henry Ward Beecher, would in
my judgment have been listened to for a mo-
ment. The fact is they all wanted to tell pretty
much the same thing and one would not listen
to the other They wanted to vote-to nomi-
nate the only man who could be nomnated-and
the only man when nominated who could be
elected-Abraham Lincoln-and he was nomi-
mated with fervor and unanimity unparalleled
in the history of conventions. The spectacle
was truly gran1. 1t was the voice of the nation
speaking to the world and declaring to all peo-
pie that free democratic government must and
shall be preserved.


Want of space prevents Us from giving more
than another extract from the Generals speech
After the labors Of the Convention were ended
he visited Grants Headquarters at Cold Harbor,
nine miles from Richmond. Referring to his
interview with the great man whose movements
now attract the attention Of every nation on the
globe he says:


1.-THE composure and coolness of the man
were truly indescribable. It seemed as If moth
ing coulQ rune nlm or tnroW MIN OH DIS Dalance
To see man quiet and undsturbed in a coun-
try village or at his own 6re-side would be moth
ing remarkable. But to see him most perfectly
90 under the responsibilities of a vast army, in
the presence OF a powerful and desperate foe,
and just on the eve of grand movement, an
entire change of base, is indicative Of more
than common power. His very looks inspired
me with hope and confidence.


was anxious TO know if the Army of the
Potomac was properly sustained BY the Govern
ment, and in answer to my inquiry, if he was
supplied with everything be needed. Gen. Grant
said be had plenty then asked have you
plenty of men? p lie answered plenty There
is them, said l. no doubt about the result of
this campaign, hope? Said he, / can whip
Lee with one hand tied" That confidence and
spirit seemed to pervade the whole army, and
nv faith in the military ability of Gen. Grant,
and the courage and endurance OF his army, is
such, that l can say to You, fellow citizens, in
q ien6dseee, thps RiedewoHd VII es taken.


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