The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914 Page: 124
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124 The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
implied that there were men working evil designs.50 But the Sacra-
mento Union put these charges in their true light. The issue of
February 2 said: "A division of the state into two or more states
is a political necessity which will be recognized by all parties sooner
or later.51 In a subsequent issue this paper said that it looked upon
the effusions of those who professed to believe that there was any real
danger of the introduction of slavery into any part of the state,
as the production of a fevered fancy-of an imagination so diseased
upon the subject of slavery as to be unable to view the subject
through any other than a 'distorted medium.5 2 The religious press
of the state was said to be generally opposed to division, fearing
the possible introduction of slavery.""
The discussion of the bill in the legislature gathered largely about
constitutional questions and questions that had to do with alleged
defects in that instrument. It was charged during the discussion
that the conventionists had motives they dared not divulge,5" but
this was denied.55 The slavery question did not come to the fore
in the discussion. The day before the final vote on the convention
question, Mr. Hubbs sought to get a measure before the Senate
providing for a vote of the people directly upon the question of
dividing California into three states, the south to be called "El
Dorado," the middle "California," and the northern "Sacramento."
"5In Daily Alta California, February 18. 1853.
5acramento Union, February 2, 1853.
"Sacramento Union, May 14, 1853.
"Ibid., May 4, 1853.
"Efforts were made while the matter was under discussion to impugn the
sincerity of the advocates of the measure by claiming that it was an effort
to resuscitate the Whig party. It was claimed that a secret circular was
sent by the Whig party leaders to their partisan papers of the state, in
which it was suggested that changes be made in the state, that a conven-
tion be called, and the Whig party infused with new life through a move-
ment for a convention, but all this to be done without disclosing the
source from which the idea came. The authenticity of the alleged "Secret
Circular" was later repudiated by the Whigs in the legislature, in a
signed statement, in which they admitted sending out a circular letter,
but denied that the one alleged was the one prepared by them. (Sacra-
mento Union, May 20, 26, 1853.) Bancroft made the alleged purpose
of the Whigs to resuscitate their party the explanation largely of the
movement in this legislature for a convention. This seems a nunreason-
able contention, considering all the facts. It is interesting, however, to
note that so far as the writer has been able to ascertain the party alle-
giance of members in this legislature the record shows that every Whig
member who voted, voted for the convention.
",Sacramento Union, February 28, 1853.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914, periodical, 1914; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101061/m1/128/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.