Year: 1868

A Memfber of the California
| Democratic State Central
Committee Announces Hinlu
self for Grant and COIfaX.


Gentlemen of the Democratic State


Central Committee:


I would be doing violence to my
own feelings, and guilty of unfair con-
duct to you, did 1 continue longer to
share your counsels and possess myself
of your plans in the coming political
campaign, In sentiment and sympa-
thy am no longer with you. My
Judgment neither approves the plat
form of principles put forth by the
New York City Convention, nor does
my sense of duty to the country justi-
fy me in aiding to advance HOratiO
Seymour to the office of President of
the United States. In remembering
that am a Democrat I cannot forget
that owe higher allegiance to the
American Union. I should be glad
to remain in the Democratic party,
could 1 believe that in so doing I am
not sacrificing those principles of pa
triotism that are higher and holier
than any sentiment of. mere party
feaIty. 1 believe that the war was
Iinaugurated by the South in the inter-
est of slavery. believe that it was
the duty of the Government to resist
the heresy of secession by arms. 1 be-
Iieve the calling out of troops, the
draft of soldiers, the prosecution of
war against rebellion, was constitution
al and necessary for the preservation
of the Republic. I believe the eman-
cipation of slaves was necessl slry and
unavoidable as a war measure. 1 be-
lieve the creation of a national debt
grew out of the exigencies of a long
continued and desperate conflict. 1
believe the issue of paper currency was
an evil incident to the struggle. 1 be-
lieve that 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.


1 am opposed to the taxation of
Government bonds, as a breach of
covenant made with the bOndhOlders,
and 1 an opposed to paying those
bonds with currency instead of gold.
am not in any degree fearful Of ne
gro supremacy, nor do believe that
if to the negroes are conceded their
lust rights under the law there will
be any danger of elevating them to a
social equality with any superior race.
1 am and ever have been opposed to
mob violence, and 1 never will cast
my vote nor use my influence to adj
vance to high hOnOrs any man, who,
as Governor of a great Commonwealth,
could fraternize with a mob or encOur-
age opposition to just laws, or who,
when the nation needed its last man
to put down the rebellion, could, by
opposing the draft, put himself and
State in hostility to the general Gov
ernment.


I could have supported War Dem
ocrat like Hancock or Hendricks, 1
could support Republican like Frank
P Blair, jr., your candidate for Vice
President. His early stand for the
rights of the black man his opposi-
ton to slavery; his brilliant war record,
commencing in the streets of st. Louis
and ending in Sherman's march
through Georgia, approve; but as 1
can not sustain Blair without sustain
ing Seymour, feel in duty and con-
science compelled to vote for Grant
and Colfax.


1 shall expect the bitter anirnadver-
sions of all who love the Democratic
party better than they love their coun-
try. I shall expect to have my mo-
tives questioned and my honor i'm
pugned. I shall expect to be asSailed
by partisan malignity, and to have
heaped upon me an unlimited amount
of personal abuse but conscious of the
rectitude of my motives, and in the
confident belief that I am but doing
my duty, 1 have deemed it proper to
resign my position as member of
the Democratic State Central Commit
tee. I therefore respectfully tender
you my resignation, gratefully remem-
bering our past pleasant relations, and
entertaining for you all only kind per
sonal feelings.


am, very respectfully, gentlemen,


P. H. SIBLEY.


SAN Fp ANICUSC,O JuIV 13 1853