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PROCESSIONAL.

politics? Questions of state and nation, present and future, would be entirely ignored, and the vote of this woman, if she voted at all, would go for the overthrowing of the iron heel which grinds, not only the souls of the good, but the very flesh and blood of the so-called "bad woman."

That she deserves the adjective we do not agree. Honor where honor is due and reproof where reproof is merited. If the light dazzles the moth and singes its wings I shall not censure the moth. Between two powers there is always a weaker, and

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the menace, the danger, lies not in the weak. There is nothing to fear from the moth save that it will add fuel to the blaze and that in its sacrifice it will make stronger the devouring monster.

We have not found our "bad woman" by the aid of a lantern, but perhaps in the broad glare of the sun, under the blaze of a dazzling electrolier, or beneath the purple glow of a stained glass window she may be found. It is for the anti-suffragist to find her and mark her properly for future identification.

PROCESSIONAL

The moment is upon us! Gracious Lord
Bend down from Heaven to the ignorance
That is our knowledge. Guide our climbing feet
As in worn paths of age-old circumstance,
Keep us 'mid yawning pitfalls, and on heights
That wait to hurl us headlong. Lord, we pray
That Thou who watchest o'er the eagle's flight,
Guide us, Thy daughters, on the upward way.

Let us not cheat ourselves with shadows, Lord,
But strongly pierce to the sick heart of things.
Love Justice even as Mercy, and henceforth
Long-schooled in pain and patience, bear the stings.
Of ancient malice, smiling. Let us shun

The narrow outlook and the selfish creed

Of "Mine and Thine," knowing no bonds, dear Lord, But of Thy Will, and of the sad world's need.

Teach us Thy tolerance, to forgive like Thee,

And know no bitterness from sun to sun,

Nor seek for other guerdon than the joy

Of service, and Thy whispered words: "Well done!"

So shall we walk clear-eyed and unafraid

On the steep path Thy hand hath marked, nor roam However tempted, Lord, from it or Thee,

Nor lose the guiding lights of Heaven and Home.

ELEANOR DUNCAN WOOD.

An Early Flag of California

(It was conceived and raised by a party of Mexicans and Americans in a revolt against the Mexican government in 1836, and proved successful, although the few Americans were made to suffer great distress in the end.)

E

By W. J. Handy

IGHT flags have been raised
over portions, or the whole of
California, each indicating
ownership and sovereignty.

A record not found
in any other State
of this Union.
Spain's

Royal

Standard in 1602, Mexico's acquisition in 1822. An English colony in upper California floated the Union Jack for a time. Fort Ross, with its Russian commercial flag, held absolute control for

30 years of a territory one hundred

is not so familiar, but is equally a link in the chain of events that has made the history of California so romantic. In 1836, a difficulty arose between the Mexican Governor at Monterey and one Juan Bautista Alvarado, a clerk in the Cusoms Department. Alvarado threatened with arrest, made his escape to the Mission San Juan. Here he gathered a few farmers to his aid. Near this Mission in the Santa Cruz mountains lived Isaac Graham, miles long and Tennesseean by thirty miles wide. birth, but as a boy Sutter, no doubt, filled with love of had a flag of his adventure. Graham own at New Helve-a hunter and tia, for he had trapper-had travbeen given a large eled across rivers, tract of land. Then trackless plains, came the Republic scaled the Rockies, of California, repand made a home resented by by the in the California Bear flag, soon folmountains, where lowed by Commofish and game were dore Sloat's raising plenty, climate and on July 6, 1846, the surroundings to his Stars and Stripes, perfect content. A and claiming the man was this Grawhole of Califorham, conscious of nia. Captain Jose Castro, who led the at- possessing physical shown in the pho- tack against Don Carrillo's army des- and mental powers tograph accom- patched by Mexico to suppress the equal to any emerpanying this story revolution. (From an old woodcut.) gency. Το this

[graphic]

The flag

[graphic]

Photograph of the flag raised by Isaac Graham at Monterey in 1836, when he and his foreign followers helped Juan Alvarado in a revolt against the Mexican government. The red star is on a white field. Only one flag was ever made by the revolutionists.

fine old man Alvarado and his party went for advice and aid. Graham, an acknowledged leader summoned the available hunters, not all American, but mostly foreigners. To them Alvarado made known his plans and promised, if successful, to allow foreigners to own lands, and to grant other favors they had been denied by Mexican laws. Graham and his men assented.

Next morning the united forces marched to Monterey. Entering the

town in the afternoon they took position in the woods near the fort. In the night the Mexicans evacuated and sought shelter in the Presidio. Sunrise found Graham on the embankment, rifle in hand, while some of his men were busy remounting a disabled

cannon.

Alvarado and his contingent had discreetly remained in the woods, wisely placing the foreigners in the front. A demand for surrender was

sent in, which was promptly refused.

Two days of delay passed in parleying. Graham, out of patience at time lost, assumed responsibility and sent in a flag with notice that two hours only would be allowed for surrender as prisoners. The time expired-no reply. Then the cannon was leveled and sent a solid shot crashing through the tile roof of the barracks. This was conclusive. The Government at Mexico could not expect the defenders to hold out against Los Rifleros Americanos. Governor Gutierrez and his officers surrendered at discretion. Alvarado marched in and took possession. So far, the revolution was a success. The Governor and his men were graciously permitted to take ship for old Mexico. A council was called, a proclamation, called by courtesy a Constitution, was made. It provided, first, complete independence from Mexico and established The Free and Sovereign State of California. Alvarado elected, assumed the title of Civil Governor.

It does not appear that the Constitution was submitted to the people for acceptance. Probably it was not considered necessary, for Alvarado carried all amendments, recall and referendum under his hat.

Then a flag was desired, different from the Mexican Eagle and Serpent, and one was made and waved in defiance to all opposing the new state. Farnum and Robinson, both of whom saw it, describe it as a "White flag with one Red Star."

Farnum described his first visit in company with Consul Larkin at the official residence: "We entered the presence of Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado, a well formed, full blooded California Spaniard, five feet eleven inches in height, coal black, curly hair, deep set black eyes, fierce eyebrows, fine white teeth, clad in broadcloth and whiskers of a gentleman. He arose as we entered, waved us to chairs, when he would rather have seen us tumbling from the balcony, smiled graciously with one corner of his mouth, showed his teeth, and in

wardly cursed us with the other corner. Seated himself, laid his arms and hands on the upper shelf of his abdomen and his first inquiry was 'had the ship anchored?' El Gobernader had sundry reasons for this inquiry. If she had come to anchor there must be a chance for robbery in the tonnage dues, and if laden with goods subject to duties, she would be quite a mine, which he already dreamed himself plundering with golden success.

"As soon as we could turn his attention from these hopes of gain, Mr. Larkin informed him of my wishes, and suggested the humanity of transferring me from idleness on shipboard to the enjoyment of Castilian industry ashore, to-wit, lounging, grinning, sleeping and smoking rolls of papers tinctured with the weed. La Excellentissimo found it difficult to comprehend the necessity of the request. But being informed there were no goods on board the bark, and neither bribes nor tribute would be paid, he frankly confessed he saw no necessity, indicated by his interests, why I should ever have existed, and still less, any of my pleasures dependent upon him. But graciously consented to our making application to the Alcalde, who, after some inquiries, did grant permission for my temporary residence ashore."

Matters political remained quiet for a time. The news of this uprising of a new state travelled slowly. Upper California accepted the new Governor, while the lower half remained loyal to the Mother Country. In 1838, a courier arrived, and announced "the Central Government at Mexico had bared its arm, brought it down and at a single blow had put together a gentleman Don Carlos Antonio Carrillo and made him Gobernador del Alta California."

In the exercise of his powers Carrillo demanded Alvarado to surrender, "lay down and forever after to eschew the sceptre of Governor, etc." To this Alvarado replied, "On seeing the commission of my successor and obtain

[graphic]

Isaac Graham, trapper and hunter. In 1836, Graham organized the foreigners living near Monterey to support Juan Alvarado, a clerk in the Customs House, in a revolt against the Mexican Governor. The new party raised one of the eight flags that have waved over California.

ing from him a guarantee to my person and property I will resign the reins of government, otherwise never."

Six days elapsed. Meanwhile Don Carrillo was not idle. An army was gathered to do battle for La Republic Mexicana. Alvarado hearing of this intention appointed Jose Castro to call troops to arms and march for the seat of war. Don Carillo determined to take military possession of Santa Bar

bara. On the 20th of March, 1838, he encamped on a hill two miles from town, and humanely sent in a flag announcing the town of Santa Barbara must be surrendered, or his veteran army would take possession, if in so doing they "trod at every step upon the pulseless hearts of dying inhabitants." The commandant of the place was not so much as frightened, and sent back his reply: "Senor Carlos

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