Eureka Daily Sentinel

LETTER FROM AUSTIN.

AUSTIN, Cal., April 15, 1874.

Editor Sentinel: I did not think a quiet letter to the old neighbors through the Sentinel, would excite any especial comment; much less call down upon me a column crusher. Boiled down, the crusher, directly or by implication, asserts the following:

1st—In the writer's opinion neither Senators Stewart nor Sargent would do a just thing unless paid for it,
2nd—Because I was beaten in Nevada in 1872, it makes me angry that Gov. Booth triumphed in 1873 in California, in a "somewhat analogous" case.
3d—Because of my defeat, I am soured with the world and the people thereof.
4th—I am prejudiced against Booth for no reason, and "prejudiced in favor" of Jones because he opened his heart and purse to me.
5th—Jones may be capable, but he spent money recklessly to become Senator.
6th—Booth is an angel, and triumphs because of his grace.

Thus stripped, how pitiful is the skeleton which "A. G. T." essays to clothe and warm into life?

Let us examine this skeleton in detail. About the two Senators, I said little and care less, except that I would, if I could, be always right; and I happen to know just now that the associated press is doing what it can to politically kill Sargent especially; and the associated press manufactures and controls the opinions of a majority of the people of this coast. I suspect "A. G. T." is in that majority and deems it a virtue to hate both Senators; and that too without any personal investigation, simply taking the authority of the Sacramento Union that it is right so to do.

The second bone in the skeleton is so far fetched it surely belongs to an earlier period of the world, and to a species now, happily, extinct. I pledge "A. G. T." my word I never thought of the two momentous events he describes in the same connection until I read his article. Even now, I cannot trace the "analogy" he speaks of. Inasmuch, however, as he invokes the comparison, if I may be allowed also to compare small things with great, I will state a case which would be "analogous" to Gov. Booth's last campaign. Had the people of Nevada by their votes lifted me from the obscurity of the sage brush and given me a seat in the Congress of the nation; then were I this year to return and tell those generous men they were mostly corrupt; that especially the convention of gentlemen, who, three months previous, gave me their nomination, were all thieves; that there was a plan on foot by the Republican leaders, to give the State of Nevada to the Bank of California; that this was but a commencement; that the personal property of citizens was to be seized until $1,000,000 were obtained which was to be given Wm. Sharon to erect a harem on Mt. Davidson; that all poor men who had pretty wives were to be hung or confined at hard labor for life, and their wives to be transferred to the harem aforesaid; were I, then, growing warm with my theme, to inform my hearers there was but one hope left for them, and that was to make me Senator; were the Carson Appeal, Pioche Record and other "reform" journals to say amen; and could I do this with a voice so tender, and look so sad, and cheek so sublime they even would think I believed what I said, and believing with me elect me, then I should little both Booth's honesty, and the two cases would be "analogous."

I used to like Gov. Booth as well as "A. G. T." If I have changed, I hope a hint of the reason may be discovered in the above, for surely some men are not "without their lines harsh attendant fiction;" and I suspect his without any true, of the envy "A. G. T." assumes I entertain towards those who are gifted and successful.

3d—I don't believe I am much soured. I have often thought Nevada did me very cheap; but have never convinced myself that, after all, the State did not get the best of the bargain.

4th—I made no comparison between Booth and Jones, save as to native brain. I did not say Booth was not learned, scholarly, eloquent, polished, etc. Booth himself says Jones naturally is his intellectual superior. That ought to be authority with "A. G. T."

I should be deeply grieved if I thought any act of my whole life gave any justification for such a conclusion "A. G. T." arrived at in another matter. I never received a pecuniary present from mortal man. I never received one dollar from J. P. Jones on any other condition than that I should return it in full, with interest, and in gold coin. I never saw Mr. Jones until four days prior to the last election. I believe he hoped for my election, but his actions, sympathy and assistance can best be estimated by comparing the vote his legislative ticket received in Virginia City with that given me. I think any one who was in Virginia City on that eventful day will agree with me, that a few twenty-dollar pieces would have outweighed a world of sympathy.

6th—An answer to this, I will not attempt, because I do not think it worth while. If I were to state the facts as I know them to be, it might spoil "A. G. T.'s" peroration; it could do no good, and it might cause bitterness where there is enough of grief already. I will only say, when I wrote before, "Wait two or three years," I did not mean that Governor Booth might not yet achieve far higher honors than he has yet enjoyed. His career is being managed by some of the shrewdest brains on this coast. Barnum's advertisements secured a rush to see the woolly horse; Andy Johnson became President of the United States. In the light of the past, who shall say his Excellency has not grown? I for one right hopes.