Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-06

BY Il. A. IL-STEPHENS-ARTICLE V.
The war between the United States o.
America and the Mexican republic
during the years 1846.to 1S4S, resulted
among other things, in the American
occupation of Alta (Upper) and Baia
Uower) California. The great mistake
of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was
in the Americans returning to Mexico
the peninsula OF Lower California.
Naturally belonging to Southern Califor-
mia, with it's 10000 square miles, the
latter would never have been incorpo-
rated in the American state.
The natural causes of the sectional
troubles between the members of the
Mexican race in Upper California as well
as the details of the troubles them
selves have already been fully given in
the three preceding articles. The ques-
tion now arises Will the same causes
produce the same effects in another,
though superior race? Nature has not
removed the great range of mountains
which runs across the state from Point
Conception to the White range. They
have not been washed or shaken down
to permit the cold fogs, the harsh
breezes and the hot, dry winds of the
north to devastate the southern plains
and ruin the great citrus belt, nor lessen
its annual precipitation, it's sunshine
and its even CLINE, 30 warm in winter,
so cool in summer, and 60 dry at day.
If the same natural Causes are
in continued existence there will
be continued existence of their
effects. There will be continual
friction between the northern and
southern sections of Alta California, with
occasional outbursts. If the north is
dominant, she will oppress the south by
selfshness. The south will struggle for
freedom. These efforts for liberty will
occur at almost regular periods. In
each effort the south. will gain strength,
until she will finally break the chains OF
bondage. Only that the struggle will
be the grander and the victory the more
glorious, when Southern California shall
stand forth new American state, as
the contest is between the members of
higher class Of people.
To return to history:
The outbreak of the Mexican war on
May 13, 1846, found Los Angeles city in
the full enjoyment OF all her rights as
the capital of Alta California.
The Americans in Northern Califor-
MIA, encouraged by exLieut. j. G. Ere.
mont, raised the famous bear flag OF
the "California Republic" at Sonoma
June IA, 1946. The Americans of South
ern California had neither part nor lot
in this filibustering scheme. They
never claim, nor do they want, any of
the glory of the bear flag. They en-
gagged in no plans of dubious honor.
When the proper American authorities
came, with warrants for their act
ion, the Americans of South
ern California, from Santa Bar
bara to San Diego, promptly and corr
daily rendered them all possible assist
ance.
The reasons for this are clear. North
ern California at that time contained a
large number of Americans, the greater
portion of whom were composed of ad
venturers of the frontier type, always
ready for fight or frolic. Among
their leaders were such men as Graham,
Suffer, Redding and CAN'T. In the
south there was different class, con-
stituted of steady eastern people from
the civilized centers, like Stearns, Tenn
pie, Rowland, Workman. Warner.
Forster, the Den brothers, Williams,
Wilson and Crothwaite. The northern
filibusters were particularly obnoxious
to the Mexicans, and were called by them
Los Osos (the bears) for their flag. The
fornia scheme of decided filibustering
character. Southern California had
nothing whatever to do with it, The
bear does not belong to the heraldry Of
the south. and should be omitted in all
our emblems. Rather with its porcine
traits let it 60 appropriately to the
northern citrus belt.
The bear in the great seal of the state
of California was placed there by the
first constitutional convention, sitting at
Monterey in the year 1849, in memory
OF and at the request OF one of the mem
bers of the Bear party.
The first regular action looking toward
the American occupation OF Alta Cali
fornia was that OF Commodore Sloat, u.
S. N, who raised the stars and stripes
(without a bear) at Monterey July z,
1846. Commodore r. +. Stockton ar
rived from Hawaii on the 18th
of that month and assumed COM
mand. The next day Governor Pico
convened the departmental assembly
at Los Angeles. Gen. Jose Castro was
placed in command, and organized an
army and went into camp on the mesa
east of the city.
August 9th Stockton anchored at San
Pedro and refused to treat with Castro's
missioners. On the 10th Pico, in
his message to the departmental assem-
bly,, admitted the impossibility of a
successful defense, and announced that
between ignominy and emigration he
chose the latter" The assembly then
adjourned sine die, and Pico and Castro
fled to Mexico.
On the 10Th Stockton peaceably en-
tered Los Angeles, the capital city, and
the American occupation of Alta Cali
fornia was completed. 1t was inter
rupted the next month by the revolt
of Serbulo Barelas, which took four bat
ties to put down. Stockton re-occupied
Los Angeles on January 10. 1S47.
REMOVING TIE CAPITAL.
In the quarrel which ensued between
him and Gen. s. w. Kearny. as To