The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914 Page: 132
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The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
of taxes as between agriculturists and miners, and maintained their
right to carry slaves into any territory, had fixed upon this means
of consummating their purpose of bringing slave property to the
Pacific Coast."9 A newspaper of the time wrote harsh words about
pestilential politicians and political fortune hunters, who had
easily imposed upon the weakness of the southern native citizens,
whose political habits prior to the establishment of an American
state on these shores was decidedly revolutionary.1'
On the other hand, it is to be noted that in the discussions in
the legislature there was much doubt as to the constitutionality of
the measure, though there was no serious difference as to the
desirability of the separation, and the south's sincere desire in
reference to it."- It was pointed out at the time that some weight
should be given to the ability and character of Mr. Pico as a
pledge that no personal or sinister motive was back of the pro-
posal.12 There seemed to be sincere advocacy of the measure in
the southern part of the state, where the method being followed was
advocated as a proper one for a negotiation between the federal
and state governments in looking toward the harmonious accomp-
lishment of a result which the people of the south had so long
desired.'" It seems fair to give some consideration to the words
of a writer in the Sacramento Union, who, answering charges that
had been made, pointed out how long and persistently the inhab-
itants of the south had sought division on legitimate grounds,
and who said, "Why attribute it to ambitious plotting of political
fortune hunters? . . . The members from the south in the
convention to form a state constitution for California, desired to
be left out, but as they were informed that great advantages
would result to those counties, they willingly submitted. A ten
years experience has convinced them that they were deceived."14
Those interested in division reiterated the contentions that had
been made since the constitutional convention, declaring over again
that these same reasons were still actuating them, and contending
'Bancroft, History of California, VII, 254, 255.
"tSacramento Union, February 5, 1859.
"Ibid., February 16, March 16, 1859.
"Southern Vineyard, February 18, 1859, in Hayes' Constitutional Law, 59.
18Ibid., April 22, 1859.
"'acramento Union, February 8, 1859.132
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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/m1/136/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.