The record-union., 1896-07-07
THE RAISING OF THE FLAG.

Fifty years ago to-day the American
flag was raised at Monterey by Commo-
dore Sloat of the American navy. A lit
tie later war ships of other countries ar
rived on the coast to float other flags
and claim the land for their nations,
but they found the stars and stripes
flying, that Sloat had taken possession
and would keep it. At that time the
naval officer had no idea of what the
promise Of this land was as an acquisi-
tion to the United States. He knew of
course that it was a land fair to look
upon and that it lay within the belt
that the United States might we'll claim
IN the westward extension of its boun-
daries.
He did not know of it's rich gold fields;
he had no conception Of the exhaustless
wealth capacity of its wonderful soil;
he had no idea whatever that it would
become a populous country, or that it
would bear more than a territorial re-
lation to our Government. Sloat looked
upon the acquisition probably from the
standpoint of a soldier. He saw that it
was an excellent footing for the Gov
ernment in a military sense, and would
give US immense advantage upon this
coast in the matter of naval stations
and refugees.
Sloat acted better than he knew, and
while il is true that had he not raised
hn nd foly n
name Of the United States it would have
been taken by us a little later on, no
matter how many other flags had been
raised and claims made for the soil, the
credit Of laying the claim and announc-
ing 1t belongs to his memory. The
story of the fifty years since the Com
modore's action needs no telling to Cali
fornians. It is part of common knowl-
ledge and history. That the semi-cen-
tennial anniversary of the event should
be celebrated at Monterey, the old Capt.
tai, on the very spot where Sloat sent
Old Glory to the head of the temporary
mast is fitting and win stimulate sem
tfments and strengthen attachments
that cannot be too strong, when love of
country and patriotism are involved.
The name of John Drake Sloat will
forever be interviewer with the history
of our State and Nation. Born in 11S0,
he entered the navy as midshipman in
1900. and twelve years later he became
famous for the part he played in the
capture of the British frigate Macedon-
ian. for which Congress voted him a
in the West Indies, captured the pirate
Palmyra, aided in the taking of Fox
hardo, took the noted pirate chief, Col
frecinas, and turned him over to the
Spanish, who executed him, and in 1914
came with rich honors to the command
of the American Pacific squadron.
When the difficulty with Mexico
loomed up he promptly took and occu-
pied Monterey, anticipating similar
action on the part of the British, and
later secured the harbor of San Fran
cisco and other California points, and
held possession until relieved by Com
nodore Stockton. He became a Rear
Admiral in 1866, and died the following
year. at very advanced age. and COW
cred with honors, beloved by the Amer
lean people. and honored by the repub-
lie. The foundation stones of a Cali
fornia monument to his memory are to
be laid to-day at Monterey with appro-
propriate ceremonies, and 1t is emil
nently appropriate to make the occasion
one of much ceremonial and of patriotic
eynreSSiOn.