Year: 1861

In the Union Democratic Convention which


has Just concluded its labors at Sacramento


our county had representation of twenty


three votes. A majority of the delegates, a


the time of their election, expressed themselves


as favorable TO Major Bidwell for Governor


but, by certain game inaugurated by Mr.


McCorkle and his friends, this preference wa


proxied away and converted to their own use


in manner and under such circumstances al


will not soon be forgotten by the citizens o


our county, and especially by the Union De


mocracy. Major Bdwells name had beer


used in connection with the office throughou


our county, as well as in others,-and it was


talked about here that McCorke would moi


be candidate. But, to accomplish certain


purpose-the defeat of Bdwel-he and hi:


friends made crusade among the elected del


egates, and obtained proxies wherever they
could-not with any hope of getting McCor


kle nominated, for he never had ghost of a
show for it-but to control the delegation tc
defeat better man. Let US see if this is moi
so. At the commencement of the eleventh


ballot, McCorke withdrew his name from the
contest Bidwell still being candidate, when
Butte county was called, 20 votes were cast
blank: for Casserly, by J. D. Ward, and l
for CONFESS, by Mr.. Bidwell of course, Nc


Corkle and his friends voted the blanks Now


what could have been the object of playing
this, dog-in-the game, but to insult


Bidwell and his friends and endeavor to hum.
BILE him and them in this public manner p
Will the citizens of this county not recollect
this action of the parties concerned? No
satisfactory reason, for the action, has been
given by any delegate or proxy, and they can
give none, except as above stated. This action
of the delegates called forth the following re-
marks from Major Bidwell and, on the ballot,
he received 40 votes outside his delegation


Mr.. BIDwELL said-I have occupied before
this Convention an anamolous position. When
first responded to the inquiries of my friends
as to whether | would accept a nomination for
the position of Governor of this State, did
not know that the honorable gentleman who
has just retired from this contest was to be a
candidate before the Democracy of California.
The press, in some instances, announced my
name without my consent. But, previous even
to that time, in letters to various friends, had
acceded to their request. 1t was not expected
so far as | know, that should have the least
claim to the position, while there was any
chance for either of the three or four great
candidates before you. l should not have ac-
cepted OF the nomination before this Conven-
ton, had it not been for the most earnest re-
quest, and, as | believe, the untrammeled and
sincere friendship of those who saw proper to
support me- | believe it was known in the
county of Butte, from which hail, that it was
the intention to bring my name before the
Convention therefore, from the modesty
which has always been my characteristic, I
refrained from using the slightest influence to
bias or warp the Convention in my own coun-
ty. l went there, and think that any candid
observer Of the proceedings of that Convention
would say that it was almost unanimous in nv
favor. But when | saw that some of the dele
gates to this Convention were disposed to fol-
low their old, and l will say, their gallant
leader, was willing that they should do so,
and so announced when was upon the stand.
But now, inasmuch as there appears to be ex-
tended to me kind of contempt, will throw
down the gauntlet, and say to this delegation.
that, in my opinion, they have misrepresented
the sentiment of Butte county Tapplause1, and
| hope they will manifest it. l do this to give
the people of Butte county chance to express
themselves, whenever there is an opportunity.
| do not mean now to cast any reflection upon
the action of any cne of these delegates but
will say to the delegate who made the remark
here on Saturday evening that had not had
the honor of being put in nomination by del
egate of my own county, that | do not consider
him representative of the sentiment of
Butte county. With regard to the
others, every gentleman l believe resides in
the county but if that gentleman is resi-
dent of Butte | do not know it, for 1 believe
he has been absent most of the time for the
last four or five years. | make these re-
marks entirely in selEdefense. My name is in
the hands of my friends, and when they think
l am not worthy of the honor-when they
think | am not the man who could be elected,
or if elected would not be true to the Democ-
racy-I am willing to retire from the contest.
i'ue uutii L Sdu IOuouIL Win tuClH, L w UOL
feel at liberty to withdraw my name though
if was satisfied that by doing so it would
harmonic the Democracy, have the same
desire to do so as my honorable friend who
preceded me has. l wish it to be understood
that this is contest in which more than men
are concerned. 1t is a contest on which de-
pends the stability and unity Of the Pacific
coast, and perhaps the unity of the nation
All have to accomplish here is TO use my ut.
most exertions to help to nominate man who
is not tainted with disunionism [applause but
one who will stand by the stars and stripes
l have heard one matter thrown out upon the
streets, which do not intend to answer; but,
as there is feeling manifested against me,
will give an opportunity for a response. 1t
has been said that | gave my proxy, when
left the Charleston Convention, to Austin E.
Smith. Gentlemen, that is wholly, entirely
false. Applause Under the resolution which
the delegates, l was not authorized
to give my proxy to anybody; but the dele
gates present were empowered, and, as | con-
sdered, instructed to cast their votes for the
abSentees. Having given myself but three
months to be absent from the State, my duties
requiring that | should return at the end of
that time, l could not, consistently with nv
obligations, remain to the Baltimore Conven-
tion. An esteemed and worthy friend who
was with US then, and who is, believe, with
US now, was the one to whom gave my proxy