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On September 17th, Derby says that Ames had promised to write to the Herald
regularly. "We present to our readers this week the only communication we have received
from him for publication, since his departure. It contains the speeches of William
Waldo, advocating his own election; the remarks made by the Judge himself before the
Railroad meeting, in favor of San Diego as the Western terminus; and the political principles
in full of John Bigler. Apart from these matters of interest, it may be considered in
some respects a model communication, for it contains no personal allusions whatever,
nor anything that could cause a blush on the cheek of the most modest maiden, or
wound the feelings of the most sensitive or fastidious. As a general thing, it may be considered
the most entirely unexceptionable article the worthy Judge ever composed.
Here it is:
"Letter from J. J. Ames, Esq., for the San Diego Herald."
(A blank space.)
But although Ames was strangely silent for a time, he did write Derby, at last, protesting
against his policy. This letter was not received, however, until after the election,
and remembering this fact it is interesting to note how Derby treated it:
"We have received by the Goliah, an affecting letter from Judge Ames, beseeching
us to return to the fold of Democracy from which he is inclined to intimate we have
been straying. Is it possible that we have been laboring under a delusion--and that
Waldo is a Whig! Why! lor! How singular! But anxious to atone for our past errors, willing
to please the taste of the Editor, and above all, ever solicitous to be on the strong side,
we gladly abjure our former opinions, embrace Democracy with ardor, slap her on the
back, declare ourselves in favor of erecting a statue of Andrew Jackson in the Plaza,
and to prove our sincerity, run today at the head of our columns, a Democratic ticket for
1855, which we hope will please the most fastidious. Being rather hard up for the principles
for our political faith, we have commenced the study of the back numbers of the
Democratic Review, and finding therein that 'Democracy is the supremacy of man over
his accidents,' we hereby express our contempt for a man with a sprained ankle, and
unmitigated scorn for anybody who may be kicked by a mule or a woman. That's Democratic,
ain't it? Oh, we understand these things--Bless your soul, Judge, we're a Democrat."
The ticket which he "ran up" was as follows:
"Democratic State Nominations.
Subject to the Decision of the State Democratic Convention, May, 1855. For Governor,
John Bigler. For Lieutenant Governor, Samuel Purdy."
Page 309
Concerning the Whig ticket he says:
"The "Phoenix 'Ticket" generally, appears to give general satisfaction. It was
merely put forward suggestively, and not being the result of a clique or convention, the
public are at perfect liberty to make such alterations or erasures as they may think
proper. I hope it may meet with a strong support on the day of election; but should it
meet with defeat, I shall endeavor to bear the inevitable mortification that must result
with my usual equanimity.