Year: 1861




told any one but myself under the promise Of
secrecy, the story of his Fleet Marriage


Latham's Speech and the Position Of


California in the Union.


The ST. Louis correspondent of the Union
furnishes sketch of Senator Latham's late
speech In relation to the position of California
in the present crisis. 1t has been stated, and
generally believed in the Eastern States that
in the event of the secession of the cotton
States, California whould avail herself of the
opportunity to declare herself independent and
IN conjunction with Oregon and the Terrific
rlcs on this coast, from Pacific Republic
In relation to this matter, Latham said,


Mr.. President, there is not word of truth
in this idea, and it does great injustice to the
people of that State. The Union has no more
loyal subjects than the people of California
and out of her half million population, believe
there are not many for disunlon in any shape.
California will remain in the Union as it is and
40 IL iioy pO. Anu III Us stciilS now 10 Uc con-
eeded, the Cotton States withdraw from the
Union, and are eventually followed by all the
Southern States California, am certain, will
still remain with the great West and North
with whom she is identified.


In addressing this body upon the 10th of
April last, foresbadowed the idea of Pacific
Republic upon the dissolution of the existing
Union. am satisfied upon more mature re-
Election, to say the laest was premature
Far whatever may be my own opinion OF the
right or wrongIof the present agitating question
"A question in which California has 10 pres
ent or vital INTEREST," feel it my bounden duty
to thus give, not only my own opinion, but, as
one OF her representatives, to state what be-
lieve to be the voice of her majority There is
but one thing which will or can ALLEVIATE tie
affections of the people of the Pacific from the
Union as it is, or as it may be, and that is, a
failure to give them Pacific Railroad, and
until this is completed, Overland Mail facilities
Upon this question they are clamorous, urgent,
unanimous and, since the great West and
North are thoroughly committed to this mate
rial idea, their loyalty cannot be questioned


SOMETHING ABOUT FLAGs-The Virginia
comittee of safety, appointed July 18th 1775,
raised an armed force for the defense of the
Old Dominion. One of the companies which
Lot fha Of fla Of
the forces for the protection of the colony"
Patrick Henry was the company of Minute
Men," so frequently alluded TO in the history
Of the Revolution. Their flag was the same
as that under which our navy first engaged with
the enemy, and had in the centre coied rat
tlesnake, with crest erect, and the significant
motto, Don't tread on me- The words of
Patrick Henry, Liberty or death" were dis
posed around the centre-piece.


The flag recently adopted by the secessionists
of South Carolina, has for device Palmetto
tree, with rattlesnake coiled around it
There is also another, much in vogue in that
State, which consists of a lone star Oh a field
of white


The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser thus
describes the new '' flag of Alabama" soon to
be presented by the ladies of that city to the
southern rights, men " 1t is to have blue
ground, and on its face the representation of a
cotton plant The lower portion of the stalk
bears open balls, the middle half open, and the
upper green balls. Interspersed among the
branches of the plant are the cotton blooms,
white and red as in nature. At the foot of the
stalk lies representation of a rattlesmake,
with head erect, and fifteen rattles. The motto
is, Noli me tangere. On the reverse of the
banner is the map of the State, with the word
Alabama across it,


The +" Lone Star" flag of Texas is the same
as the one we have described above. From
the Houston (Texas) Telegraph of the 18th,
we learn that the original has been reproduced.
1t had its origin in the war between Texas and
Mexico, which was brought to an end in 1886.
The Telegraph says "The flag that waved in
the thick Of the fight at San Jacinto was yes
terday flung to the breeze from the tallest flag
staff in the city, 10 token of the love which
many of our citizens feel for the Lone Star,
and their wish to see it again take its place
among the nations of the earth.


A premium was lately offered by an agricul-
tural sociaty for the best mode of irrigation
and the latter word, by mistake of the print
er, having been changed to irritation, farmer
sent bis wife to claim the prize.