Year: 1861

lIE, W uOtlCC tHC ShAt AOA ehASS sNoiS
past by the SecessioBists of this State and of
the nation in the construction of their party
platforms First, they must be so constructed
that an open and avowed Secessionist could
stand upon it, and pledge himself to its sup
port but at the same time, it must have the
appearance of fairness to men of an almost
directly opposite opinion.


1t is true, that sometimes this class of plat
form makers have ideas and desires so very re
mote from those Of honesty and patriotism, that
they have to lie little, just little when they
pledge themselves to supportit but then, this
amounts to nothing among men. who are plot
ting treason, robbery and piracy.


The platform, the articles Of the political
faith of that party in 50 was full of devotion
to the Union, and presented to the people of
this State stronger Popular Sovereignty
plank. and their candidates upon the stump
were stronger, warmer, and frmer friends of
Douglas, than the Douglas party themselves.
The Douglas party was beaten, because they
8 Cpulu llOb VIE Win luclh III uCfOllOu " l. Opu-
lar Sovereignty.


Upon the National platform of CO. many an
honest man and pure patriot, stood with con-
fdence, while the men who inaugurated that
specimen of splendid political lie had been
plotting disunion for years, and had just got
their plans so well perfected that they were
ready to raise their standard of rebellion.


In the Atlantic States, where treason is ac-
tual and open, there is this year DO chance for
evasion. A man is for the Government or he
is against it, and if he expresses his opinions at
ALL il must be on one side or the other But
in this State, where the traitors have not yet
dared to take open measures OF rebellion we
are treated to a finer specimen of political skill
in platform building than ever before appear
ed


The leaders ardently desired a Pacific Repub-
lie, Neutrality, anything, no matter what, ex-
cept that California should not assist the
Federal Government in putting down the rebel
Iion-but the must feel first the public pulse,
and see if their subject could bear the nause-
ating dose to be presented to them. First was
presented the address Of the Central Commit
tee, and though brilliant affair, it did not for
some reason arouse the people to very great
pitch Of enthusiasm. Bolts, our irrepressibe
Bolts, then tried his hand at it in a pamphlet
on the right of Secession, but it would not do,
for like many other of his attempted achieve
mens it was an abortion, and failed to excite
aught but smile of contempt from the people.
These efforts falling the chefest of them all,
Benjamin Franklin Washington advises the
faithful, encourages the wavering, and threat
ems the fearful, in long letter 10 few" ad-
miring friends.


The Southern rebels, according to his pro-
gramme, were right, emnenty right, in steal
ing what little property they had laying around
loose in the rebel States, and the only proper
course for the Government to pursue, is to tell
them to continue in so 50 doing A few of the
faithful responded Amenl but the mass of the
the people could not see the point and kept q
most ominous silence.


Then comes the achievement of science The
Secessionists finding they could not induce
California to openly espouse the cause oi
the rebels, they must now defrand the peo-
pie into disuDion, by platform on which the
Secessionists and also Union men could stand


The test now is, and their Convention will
probably make it more liberal still, "Are you
in favor of peace, and of the Crittenden Com
promise"


OF course all men are in favor of peace, but
have different means of obtaining it. Some of
US think it a very fine plan to conquer a peace
but the Secessionists think the most capital
plan yet proposed to secure that desirable ar
tcle, is for the Federal Government to dis
band all their troops, to apologize to the
rebels for having given them any uneasiness by
the call for volunteers, and to surrender to
them all the remaining forts, arsenals and
other property, not yet taken possession of by
The rebels. This is what the Secessonists mean
by peace and the method of obtaining it.


As to the Crittenden Compromise, the
question has about as much pertinence as to
ask, care you fond Of lollypop?'


The rebels are in arms, have seized our forts
have murdered our citizens, have commissioned
pirates to roam the oceaE and prey upon our
commerce, have sworn, individually, and thro
the voice of their Congress and President
that they would accept no compromise of any
kind !; and yet the dear, patriotic, and Union
loving, peace-desirlng Breckenridge drill mas
ters, propose the Crittenden Compromise tc
the people of California, as a solution of all
our National troubles. Should the rebels be
so fool-hardy as to reject such generous offer
then of course we are in favor of peace
Really this can be but the veriest trap to
catch traitors and guls with.





SENATOR LATHAM.-Thls gentleman address
ed the citizens of Oroville on Wednesday ev.
euing last upon the great question now before
the people We have neither time nor space
to review his address at length. He began
with the proposition that as a representative
of the people, it was his duty to learn the
opinion of his constituents, and when satisfied