Year: 1867

= cn.raeferissie Letter from Gen. Bidwell.


The following important correspondence ap.
peared in the Aarysville appeal of August I'd.
We have looked anxiousy and trpstiugly for
such an expression from the General ever since
the meeting Of the Sorehead Convention. The
letter clearly and satisfactorily defines his posi-
tion, and leaves the disorganizers without excuse
for the further prosecution of their efforts in be-
half Of Copperheadism.


swEzY TO GENERAL BIpwEIL.


MAk1stn1r July I'D, 1se,.
derstanding that the late Convention which NOM
mated you for the Office of Governor do not in
tend 10 formally notify you of such nomination
and offer you an opportunity to formally accept
or decline the same, and seeing that the pa Der
published at your place favors the placing of
your name as such nominee at the head of the
ticket and feeling, like many other Union men,
anxious for the welfare of the Union party, ad-
dress you this note to inquire of you whether
you approve or accept such nomination, or have
authorized the Chico Courant TO so use your
name in placing it before the people as such
nominee for the Office of Governor. Hoping an
carly reply and one you may be willing TO have
published, remain your obedient servant,


G. N. SwEzY


GENERAL BIDwELL's REPLY


CnIco. July 24th 1867.


g. ". Srezy-My Dear Sir: Yours of the 22d
instant is received In consequence Of receiving
so many letters pro and contra, am forced to
abandon my original purpose to simply answer
each letter in its turn and write nothing for pub
lication, for it will consume all my time.
therefore propose now, through this occasion, to
speak to one and all. To those who congratu-
late ME on my reported nomination for Govern
or, have promptly but courteously said that
could not possibly accept the honor. To those
who urge me to decline the nomination in ques-
ton and dictate the terms in which shall come
out in favor OF the regular ticket, | must kindly
say that l have not been officially advised OF
such nomination, have accepted none, do not
under the circumstances propose to accept any,
prefer to employ my own language in making
this formal decision, and that have not aban-
doned but still adhere unsweryingly to the Union
party.


Some ask me to give an expression of senti-
ment, if consistent with my views favorable TO
a united effort in behalf of the Union ticket.
answer, it certainly is consistent with my views,
and proceed 10 do so {: Having been q caudi-
date before one Convention, l desire to say to
those friends who adhered to me during the
struggle for the nomination. and who labored
earnestly for and were favorable to INV nomina-
ton, and TO all others, that l feel profoundly
grateful TO them, but that cannot consent to
enter the field again and attempt to make the
race for Governor. To do SO would be tanta-
mount to giving direct aid to the so-called Dem
ocratic party, the success of which at this juno
ture of affairs would be a calamity both to the
State and Nation, and ought not to be thought
of by any loyal man. AS far as am concerned,
am trying sc .;,y aside al al personal feelings and
consideration. In fact, have done so rs far as
human nature is capable of under similar cum
stances profess not to be perfect. And now
ask, what be done to restore harmony to
the Union party Of this State? In the pending
contest we want not only to win the battle for
freedom and equal suffrage, but we want to make
the victory overwhelming. Being out of the
race am no longera sumbling-block in the way,
and think can view the scene from the stand
point of n taxpayer and private Citizen calmly,
mpartially. There is one question upon which
all must agree Our public burdens arc great and
must not be increased. There is a deep-seated
apprehension prevailing the minds of the people
that the head of the State ticket, having been
identified with a measure vastly increasing the
public debt or liabilities, and, consequently, the
taxes of the people, would have the right to con-
slider, if elected that his course in respect to the
said measure had been sanctioned, and that he
would feel at full liberty to approve that or any
Slmliar measure LOT tUe UeHcu. vi
ti as clearly in obedience to the demand of pub
lie opinion ~ nlso that the tide lands belonging
to the State, some of which are already valuable,
and which if safely guarded and properly man.
aged can scarcely fail to be more than ample to
pay the entire State debt (for who can doubt
that city is destined to rise from the waters of
the Bay of San Francisco, perhaps stretching
from Goat Island to the Alameda shore, of more
than Veniiian opulence and splendor?), will be
racC1o cIt- 60 tba ham of cutn
tors.


Now, there should be cure for every ill. The
only remedy that suggests itself to my mind is
this: Let the people everywhere exact Of the
State ticket and candidates for the Legislature,
pledges of the most binding character upon these
vital questions. Let candidates pledge them
selves to the people that measure adding to the
liabilities of the State or the taxes of the people.
or squandering the public property, shall be
passed or approved, and satisfactory pledges
having been given let us vote the entire Unou
ticket without scratching letter, syllable or
name. No candidate can refuse to accedc TO
these reasonable demands. No person in this
time OF peace can propose to favor oppressive
measures and expect the people to sustain him
by their votes. A new ticket cannot be substi-
tuted at this late hour with any certainty of sue
cess. We must then stand by this or let the
Copperheads take the State. say therefore to
my friends everywhere, let US rally and prevent
such calamity by taking the only course that
seems within our power. Let us demand that
the State Indebtedness shall not be increased
that the property of the State shall be preserved
for the benefit of the people; the State for the
Nation, and the Nation for the cause of freedom
and humanity.


have the honor to be, in haste, very respect
fully yours, J. BIDwELL.


PixLEY, HIS MULE, AND CorrnorB.-1n re-