The weekly Butte record., 1861-08-24
Letter from Forks of Butte.
FORKS OF BUTTE, Butte COUNTY,
August 18th. 1861.

Union that they send reporters for their paper
about the country, to report the speeches of
public speakers. This, to me, seems well, and
as you have no special reporter in this place,
take upon myself to inform you what is going
on, in Political way, here.
Last evening, being the time announced for
Messrs. Lambert and Wells to appear here,
and it being intimated that F. NJ. Smith, ESQ.,.
OF your place, would also be present, about
forty or fifty of the boys turned out, and gave
respectful and quiet attention to the two gen.
tlemen in their advocacy of their claims to Of
fee. After they had concluded, call was
made for Smith, by the crowd He came for
ward, and prepared to address US, when Judge
Wells interfered, claiming that this was their
(meaning Wells and Lamberts) meeting, and
that no gentleman could, with due respect for
the courtesles of political warfare, and his OVID
seli-respect, address this meeting IN reply to
what had been said though he conceded the
privilege to Mr.. Smith TO speak, if they we're
allowed a reply. Mr.. Smith thereupon de-
clined to address the meeting then, but prom
ised to take an early opportunity to do So
This did not suit US, and we brought him
back He invited reply, and began the per-
formance OF stating his own position-explain-
ing why he, who had last year addressed us as
Breckenridge man, now appeared to denounce
bof Nd II:
plause from every miner present for his manly,
patriotic course. He then launched out in de-
fense of the Government and its flag in con-
vincing argument and burning patriotism, that
kept up for over one hour continued round
OF applause and appreciation. He reviewed
the speeches just heard, and fairly demolished
all their arguments against the vigorous action
of the Government at Washington showed
that the President, in calling for volunteers.
had the great authority of General Washing
ton to back him that General Washington's
course was approved by the succeeding Con-
gress, and that the law passed covering that
call had been sustained by decision of the
Supreme Court, who declared the law to be
general, and applicable to all time, until ex-
pressly repealed. During this part of his
speech, most profund silence prevailed, until
he came to the conclusion, that the acts of
the President in April last, and subsequently,
were the same we should have been sure to
heve had. had Washington, and not Lincoln.
been President, when there was cheering, uou
bet. During the speech, Judge Wells asked
what ticket the speaker would support Mr.
Smith replied, the ticket headed by John Con-
ness for Governor. The speaker said, so far as
his ability was concerned, he should follow up
this canvass, and, as part of his programme
he should speak at Dogtown tonight, which
has had the effect TO convey off twenty or
more of our boys to hear him. After he con-
cluded Judge Wells made a slight disclaimer,
and Mr.. Lambert ranted some very excessive
actions and incoherent words he was too
much iniamed to make any impression. Keep
Smith in the field, and by the closing of the
polls in September, there will be only hand
ul of mourners at the funeral of the late
Breckenridge party in old Butte.
Now, sir, as l am new correspondent, and
don't know how much room this NAV fill in
print, give you liberty to cut it down as
much as you please, only keeping it before the
people that Smith is a host for the Union, and
that, so far as the Forks OF Butte are con-
cerned, he fills the wishes of his admirers.
THE UNION BOYS.