Year: 1867

Some Of our exchanges are earnestly ad-
vocating an early and vigorous campaign
We cheerfuly second their efforts. A great
work has to be done, and the sooner it is ta'
ken in hand the better it must be for the
cause. We have repeatedly allowed our
Abolition opponents to obtain decided ad-
vantage by getting their political machinery


in operation ahead of US. Then, too often,
the defensive system Of warfare was adopted,
and while this may be safe at times, it is not
always the best. In the language OF Mr..
Valandigham, "Trulh cannot always WIN
the battle with the shield alone; it must
strike with the sword" This is truth of
which we would do we'll to take heed. AT.
tack is as essential as defence in the game OF
war. BY an early beginning, we are aware,
it is feared by some that too much energy
will be spent in the commencement, and
thus prove injurious to the cause by making
the campaign weak and feeble at the close.
These objections do not meet the case. The
contest this year will be one of extraordinary
importance-a grand struggle between the
two parties for the political supremacy OF the
State. The fact Of its being general elec'
ton, involving all the Offices, must bring
out the full strength on both sides, and the
fight will be waged with undated v'gor.
until the sun goes down on the last day OF
the struggle. What the Democratic party
requires is an early start, good beginning,
with thorough and complete organization.
If this is attended to, and followed up by
sound declaration Of principles and the Sc
lection of the very best material in the party
for candidates, we have good reason to an
ticipate glorious Democratic triumph IN
September next. Connecticut has set CALI
fornia an example of which we must not lose
sight. She has shown US how to make the
fight and win it. Prompt work, energetic
action, thorough organization. With these
we conquer


The Radical party in this State is full OF
confidence, arising from the victories of the
past few years; but its actual strength is
overrated. The party is cut up into cIiques
and factions, who hate each other intensely,
and only work together in the hope of shar.
ing the spois of Office. There is really no
good feeling among them. On every ques-
lion thew are divided in sentiment. The
old line Abolitionists, like Frank Pixlev and
DR.. Gum, who "faced the music" when the
party had scarcely corporal's guard in all
California, have no love for the latter-day
blacks represented by such renegades as
George Evans and John Conness-men who
howled for Democracy and denounced abo-
itionism until the political tide turned, and
then rushed over TO the enemy and gobled
up the best offices in reward for their treach-
ery. There is host of such buckstering
politicians in the Radical ranks, aud bitter
antipatby has sprung up between them and
those who are Abolilionists from principle.
But this is not the only source Of trouble.
Moderate Republicans cannot agree with the
ultra Radical element. They are divided on
reconstruction, negro suffrage, the currency,
and labor question. The party is rotten to
the core, and filled with warning elements
Nothing but selfish love Of public plunder
holds the foul organization together With
out principle, without honest devotion to
the cause, without unity of purpose, without
any great master minds to marshal them
for the fray, and lead them through the fight,
they are far from being invincible. A deter
mined and vigorous campaign will rout the
discordant mass, and that party can never
survive single defeat Therefore, we say,
there is good reason tosanticipate splendid
triumph for the Democracy, if the party will
put forth the whole strength and energy. and
60 into the fight determined to win. Faint
heart never won in love or war, nor will it
prove victorious in the battle at the ballot
box. But we have no fears for the courage
of the party. With the unconquerable
spirit which has sustained the Democracy
through the long and terrible ordeal of the
last six years of our history, and with the ex-
ample OF Connecticut before their eyes, they
will enter the contest confident of victory
The State must be redeemed, and Democrats
have resolved that it shall be done at the
polls in September next.-Sonom'a Democrat


A meeting of the citizens of Woodbridge