with the artist's flame. You will appreciate the difficulties of their task when you reflect, that amidst all their efforts before them visions of the star-gemmed flag, with its parti-colored stripes, that floated so proudly over the late United States. In the designs submitted, we have endeavored to secure simplicity with an intelligible symbolism and striking conspicuousness of color. Let us snatch from the eagle of the cliff our idea of independence, and cull from the earth diamonds and gems from the heavens to deck the flag of the Southern Confederacy. With cotton for king, there are seven States bound by a chain of sisterly love that will be strengthened by time, as onward, right onward they move up the glorious path of Southern independence. No. 1. The seven seceding States represented by seven rings, bound together by golden links. No. 2. The opposite side of the above, a large cotton bale. No. 3. Field gules, eagle in or, on a bluc shield, bearing in its beak a scroll with our representative political ideas. No. 4. Eagle's nest, seven eaglets, representing seven seceding States. No. 5. An eagle perched upon a lone rock, in the midst of a tempestuous ocean, stars in semicircle, sun rising. No. 6. Eagle on a field of blue, diamond shaped, olive branch in one claw, arrows in the other, scales in his beak. No. 7. A circle, within it seven diamonds, tangent, forming a seven pointed star; in the centre a cotton bale.' In this proceeding, followed by speedy preparations for the field, more than a month before Sumter and the Proclamation of President Lincoln, the Confeder- at originality, there have ever danced ate Government took a decided step toward "inaugurating" the war for which, when it broke out, the National Government was so inadequately prepared. In consideration of the border and western States, and as an appeal to their sympathy the free navigation of the Mississippi river was granted by a special act. The choice of a flag as a symbol of the new Confederacy was naturally an early subject of the deliberations of the Convention. The matter excited considerable interest in the Southern community, and numerous plans and designs were presented to the congress, in several of which the familiar American eagle figured, while there was a strong disposition to retain the old colors. The discussion of the topic created no little excitement, and seemed in some danger of awakening old associations not altogether in keeping with the business of the Convention. The ladies took the affair in hand, and forwarded various plans, exhibiting more or less fancy and ingenuity. As a characteristic memorial of the times, we present a letter gallantly introduced to the Convention by Mr. Chilton of Alabama. It was from two young ladies, Rebecca C. Ferguson and Mollie A. D. Sinclair, pupils of a seminary in Alabama, and read: "The Undersigned, pupils in the art department of the Tuskegee Female College, conscious of weakness, but ardently desirous to do something for their country, have employed their pencils to produce various designs for a flag for the Southern Republic. They have found a pleasure in trying to mix the patriot's After due consideration, Mr. Miles of South Carolina submitted an elaborate report of the Committee on the nationa' flag which was adopted. An immense number of designs had been brought before them, some preserving the prin cipal features of the United States flag "A flag," they considered, "should be with slight modifications; others "very simple, readily made, and, above all, elaborate, complicated or fantastical." capable of being made up in bunting; The objection to the first was obvious; a it should be different from the flag of flag, too, like the old was like to be con- any other country, place or people; it founded with it. As for any attachment should be significant; it should be readto "the stars and stripes," the Commit- ily distinguishable at a distance; the tee confessed that they did not all share colors should be well contrasted and in the sentiment. There was no pro- durable; and, lastly, and not the least priety, they thought, in retaining the en- important point, it should be effective sign of a government which had become and handsome. The committee," the reso oppressive and injurious to their in- port proceeded, "humbly think that the terests as to require their separation flag which they submit combines these from it. It is idle, they said, "to talk requisitions. It is very easy to make. of 'keeping' the flag of the United States It is entirely different from any national when we had voluntarily seceded from flag. The three colors of which it is them." Their revolutionary forefathers composed-red, white and blue—are the had not retained the flag of Great Brit- true republican colors. In heraldry they ain, though the youthful Washington had are emblematic of the three great virwon his spurs under it, and it was "good tues-of valor, purity and truth. Naval to imitate them in this comparatively men assure us that it can be recognized little matter, as well as to emulate them at a great distance. The colors conin greater and more important ones." trast admirably and are lasting. In Besides Liberia and the Sandwich Isl-effect and appearance it must speak for ands were found to have flags very similar to that of the United States, a circumstance which afforded special and peculiar reasons for a new choice: "They felt no inclination to borrow at second hand what had been pilfered and appropriated by a free negro community and a race of savages." Notwithstanding this embarrassment, however, the Committee thought that something might be conceded "to what seemed so strong and earnest a desire to retain at least a suggestion of the old 'stars and stripes.' Accordingly, passing over a great variety of contrivances foreign to the purpose, pretty when made up by the cunning skill of a fair lady's fingers in silk, satin and embroidery, but not appropriate as flags,"--they hit upon a design with a certain resemblance to the old ensign. itself. Your Committee therefore recommend that the flag of the Confederate States of America shall consist of a red field, with a white space extending horizontally through the centre, and equal in width to one third the width of the flag; the red space above and below to be of the same width as the white; the union, blue, extending down through the white space and stopping at the lower red space; in the centre of the union a circle of white stars, corresponding in number with the States of the Confederacy." The report was adopted and the new flag of Secessia given to the breeze. On the 11th of March, a permanent Constitution for the Confederate States was adopted. There were several new provisions engrafted upon the Constitu opportunity for amendment of the Constitution was given at the demand of any three States legally assembled in their several conventions. At their request Congress was to summon a Convention of all the States to take the suggested amendment into consideration and if it was there agreed upon it was, upon ratification by the legislatures of two thirds of the several States, or by Conventions in two-thirds thereof, to become a part of the Constitution. tion of the United States in addition to and Vice President were to hold office those which we have noticed in the Pro- for six years and the former was not visional instrument on the importation to be eligible for reëlection. Provision of negroes. The principle of State sov- was made for governing new territories ereignty was distinctly recognized in the which might be acquired, in all of which preamble which read-" We, the people slavery was to be recognized and proof the Confederate States, each State tected. No law, it was provided, 'deacting in its sovereign and independent nying or impairing the right of property character, in order to form a permanent in negro slaves" should be passed. The Federal Government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity-invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God-do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Confederate States of America." In recollection, perhaps, of the old New England Fishery grievance it was provided that no bounties shall be granted from the Treasury, nor were any duties to be laid on foreign importations to foster any branch of industry. The Postoffice Department was required to pay its expenses out of its own revenue. There were several regulations looking to economy and responsibility in the appropriation of money. To give directness to legislation and check a dangerous practice, it was ordained that every law On the 16th of March the Provisional shall relate to but one subject that shall Congress adjourned to meet again in be expressed in the title. The President | Montgomery the second Monday of May. Several of these provisions, particularly that enlarging the Presidential term, that in reference to the greater simplicity of legal enactments, and those of an economical character, on their promulgation, were commented upon with favor at the North. CHAPTER VI. INAUGURATION OF LINCOLN. WHILST these proceedings of the rebel panying him on his journey, it may not Confederacy were going on at Montgom- be amiss to pause for a moment and ery, Abraham Lincoln, President elect glance at the previous circumstances of of the United States, was travelling from a career which was now to be crowned his home at Springfield, Illinois, toward by the highest honor in the gift of the the National Capital. Before accom- people. The success, it will be found, ABRAHAM LINCOLN was far more due to native intelligence, integrity of character and resolute perseverance, than to what is usually called education or the gifts of fortune. It 79 popular designation of "the rail-splitter" in the canvass for the Presidency, the first time, probably, this vehicle of popular vengeance ever rode its victim to any honorable political exaltation. Another turn on the Mississippi in the trading flat-boat voyaging followed by employment in charge of a mill at New Salem, Indiana, brings the young man to a new stage in his career, as Captain of a volunteer company in the Black Hawk war of 1832, where Jefferson Davis and other celebrities on both sides of the pres sons in military life. He was three months in the service, which he left at the close of the campaign with a stock of popularity which encouraged him to try his fortune in politics. He ran for the Legislature as a Whig candidate; but the county being democratic he was beaten, while the people of his vicinity were for him almost to a man. This, it is said, is the only time he was ever defeated in a direct vote of the people. He was next engaged in a country store, which did not prove profitable; when he turned his attention to the study of the law, borrow Abraham Lincoln was now just closing his fifty-second year, having first seen the light in Hardin County, Kentucky, in February, 1809. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of the country, and like many worthy men who in those days made their home in that frontier territory, had laid down his life, a victim to the warfare with the Indians. is as good a title in the West to the grat-ent struggle were taking their first lesitude of posterity as if he had fallen at Bunker Hill, or Monmouth. The ill-fated frontiersman left a family of three sons, the youngest of whom, Thomas, the father of the future President, growing up without education in a life of rugged labor, emigrated to Indiana. He carried his son, Abraham, with him, then in his eighth year, and the youth well grown and strong, was of much assistance in clearing the forest for the farm. The axe was oftener in his hands than the spelling-book, his school discipline altogether not exceeding a years' instruction and that of the most elementary charac-ing the requisite books from a neighbor ter. What he learned from books he af- in the evening to return them in the mornterwards acquired by himself; but his ing. Something was thrown in his way education was for a long time in a rough, at this time by the surveyor of the counpractical school undecorated by the Mu- ty, who gave him a snare of his employses. At nineteen he laid the foundation ment, for which Lincoln rapidly qualified for his knowledge of the strategic im- himself. In 1834, he was sent to the Ilportance of the Mississippi, by a trip linois Legislature, where his success is down that river to New Orleans in proved by the fact of his reëlection for the capacity of a hired hand upon a three successive terms. He was admitflat-boat. At the age of twenty-one, he ted to the bar in 1836, and in the followaccompanied his father's family in a new ing year removed to Springfield, where emigration to Illinois, where his axe was he formed a legal partnership with Major again brought into requisition in building John F. Stuart. His acuteness and a log cabin and splitting rails to fence the shrewd sense soon made him known in new farm-the rails which gave him his the profession as a master of forensic ar this interesting description of the simple gument. He at no time, however, entirely withdrew from politics, being earnestly devoted to the whig cause and an active champion of Henry Clay, for whom he canvassed the State in 1844. Two years afterwards he was elected to Congress from the central district of Illinois, and became distinguished in the House of Representatives during his term by his advocacy of the questions-such as domestic improvements, and a protective tariff with which the whig party was identified, while he signalized his course by a marked devotion to the free soil principles, then rapidly rising in national importance. He was a candidate for the United States Senate in 1849, when General Shields was chosen by the Legislature, and subsequently, in the summer of 1858, canvassed the State as a rival canlidate of the late Senator Douglas for the same high office. By an arrangement between the two, they frequently spoke on the same day at the same place. Their speeches, delivered on these occasions, published together in a single volume, have been largely circulated and certainly form a series of the best sustained and instructive political debates of the kind on record. From no other source can better information be obtained, of the nature and essential principles of the present momentous political conflict. Having now brought Mr. Lincoln to the period of his election to the Presidency, the facts connected with which we have already given, we may properly flat-boatman and the statesman, the begadd to this personal notice an interesting gar and the millionaire, are treated with sketch of the man and his associations equal courtesy, and all heard with as he appeared surrounded by his friends, marvellous patience. Honors have not at his home, on the eve of his departure changed the manners of Honest Old for his Inauguration at Washington. An Abe.' Every state and territory sends intelligent correspondent at Springfield its representatives. A day or two since writing at the end of January presents a gentleman from Central Georgia made เ |