Correspondence (outgoing)

Letter to M. H. Rogers

Aug 8th 1862

Leland Stanfords letter

State of California----Executive Department

Sacramento, Aug 8th 1862

(Offices in Sacramento Union, Aug 23, 62

see, Clark, 152)

Mr H Rogers Esq

Dr Sir

Your esteemed favor of the 6th inst came duly to hand and I hasten to reply at the first opportunity

You are entirely correct in disbelieving any report that I favor calling a "Straight Republican Convention" in your County, though no convention can be too "Straight Republican" in principles to suit me. But you have had your convention you have nominated men because of their known political opinions and I cannot doubt but that they entertain opinions acceptable to those who nominated them. Names of parties are of but little consequence except as they give expression to the character of the party. And parties themselves are only desirable as machines through which the people may give a bene-

tual expression of their opinions sentiments wishes and conclusions. The Union administrative party of this state is composed of the entire Republican party and so much of the Democratic party as are really in accord with them in sentiment and opinions. When the great practical issue before the people which is shall the Union be preserved and shall democracy prevail over aristocracy

The Republican party early appreciated the real character of the political issues before the people. Slavery was not the real issue though it has been the great means of creating and sustaining an aristocratic sentiment that sought anxiously to change the character of our institutions and failing that and perceiving that the military of the People was certain to thwart its schemes and control triumphantly the destinies of our nation it sought the destruction of the Union that aristocracy might at last prevail in a portion of the Country.

Our cause then, the cause of the Union Administrative party, is the mainstream

of the Union and true Democracy of the rights of the People. And at this time there seems to me much fitness in the name of Union administration party, for it is the Union the party seeks to perpetuate and to support the Administration to support which is the honeset and faithful and only ultimate through which the people can effectively act. Our government is emphatically one of the People. It is the strongest and most powerful the world ever saw because the people by that support make it so. For my part I have long held that a great portion of the masses of the democratic party were really in accord with the Republic and I have steadily labored to write in action those thus agreeing. I appreciated the power and effectiveness of party organizers and I was anxious always that this Union sentiment should have the full benefit of organization, and I am proud to think that such is now the case. The Union Sentiment has the full benefit of the entire organization of the Republican party

of the State, and the result will be an overwhelming victory for the cause of the People. I cannot permit myself to think that the intelligent people of El Dorado will let internal decisions over individuals blind them to the overwhelming importance of their own great cause. Let no friends of mine say I would have them hold back from a cordial and earnest support of the ticket you have nominated

My dear friend the cause we in part are called upon to support is the most important for [?] or more that our people can ever be called upon to sustain support. It is the great cause of the people that is awaiting the most important decision that can ever be endured for or against them away with more [prejudices?] and [?] over individuals. Let us all strive to be imbued with the most lofty patriotism and let its consuls alone prevail.

Very truly

Yours Inc

Leland Stanford

State of California----Executive Department,

Sacramento, Dec 13th 1862

My Dear Mother

I do not know how I can pass a portion of this quiet Sabbath afternoon more profitably or pleasantly than by writing to my ever loved and esteemed Mother.

It is my great regret that I cannot be nearer to you in your age to render mor effective to your happiness the duty and affection of a son.

But for the present I am so confined by official duties that I cannot even hope to pay you an early visit. Still if all goes well I shall hope to see you soon after the expiration of my term of office. My business prospects are very encouraging never more so. In the discharge of my official duties I have no cause of reproach for any intentional errors. I have done the best I could and I believe the people