Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-07-05

WITI nbdTQ
whenever the rights of the humblest of her cit
liens are trampled upon by any foreign power
or when any one of the increasing stars on her
flag is sought TO be dimmed.
That was wise saying of Thales the Greek
that that government is the best which protects
alike the weakest and the strongest.
We salute this anniversary, in this great valley
of the Sacramento, where nature has done SO
much and art so little where there is roo +, and
plenty of room for the thousands might say,
the millions TO come: where, on the one side,
may be seen an almost treeless expanse of way
ing grain, on the other, the semi-tropical fruits
mellowiug into more than Eastern luseiousness;
all around a climate
Where Summer first her robe unfurls,
And where she longest tarries.'
With people as generous and hospitable as the
tempered airs which have grown them.
And from this great valley we can point with
pride To the unnumbered valleys scattered be-
yond, and to the hills us prolific the valleys,
with their grain belts their fruit belts their
mineral belts, their sanitary belts, all of which
tend TO reward industry, proong life, and make
II enjoyable; to our colleges and admirable
common school system to a free and enlight-
ened press; to a reading aud thinking people,
whether amid urban splehdors or in rural
homes to a fearless and incorruptible jndici-
airy, and to the great mass of our population,
healthy, happy and contented. Lest, however,
some incredulOus Stranger may ask whether or
not there is anything here that we have not pro-
duced, we will anticipate the inquiry and an
swer, yes. We admit that there were some
things in California before we came hither We
found well-developed the Sierras, the Yosemite
and the Golden Gate, and had almost forgotten
to add the climate. We do not feel jealous at
all in making this avowal. although we may
truthfully Claim that we have improved them
ali.
There need be no distrust as to the future of
this great State. She could be cut up to-day
into $50 such States rs Rhode Island or twenty
such States as Massachusetts. and Massachu-
sets, you know, has very good opinion OF her
self and there would still be the leaving of a
fat SIlrnlnS. Whether Rhode Island boc fha
| same good opinion of herself or not may admit
OF some doubt on account of her extreme di-
mlnutiveness. Sacramento county is nearly as
large, and San Bernardino county is twenty
times larger but it will not do to make dispar-
aging faces at Rhode Island for it was there
that religious liberty was first succ ssfully es-
sayed under the eXiled Roger Williams.
California has an area three times as great as
the State of New York, and larger than that of
Great Britain and Ireland, with Portugal added
as Il make-weight. While however she has
Rhode Island has 800 and Belgium has more
than 500. Thus it will be apparent what advan-
tsges this State has for supporting greatly in
creased population. She Is among the greatest
of the wheat producing States FIR ahead of any
other il the production and value OF her wines
and was at one time the greatest gold and silver
producer in the Union, To this is TO be added
| among other resources, the universal wealth of
her fruits, her lumber Interests her WOOL most
OF which are constantly increasing, and of
which we have no reliable data
From so much of retrospect, let us now look
forward TO the coming years when the great
valley OF the Sacramento will enrich and be en-
rlched by the thous andS who Will settle here:
when every valley will begin 10 smile like a
Vaca or a Capay, when the fair faces which |
see before me to-day may begin 10 show the
EFFECTS OF the evanescent years. but | pray
Father Time TO touch them ever so lightly, and
other fair faces will come and smile on the gilt
tering pageant of some future returning ami
versary like this when California will appar-
emily have arrived at the acme of her material
development: when from the dome of the State
Capitol shall float the same flag which flies
there to-day and the same songs b. sung to fire
the patriots heart; when all over this great
nation VIII be seen the same patriotic displays,
the arts and sciences prevailing labor receiving
an adequate requittal, and fraternal ties bind
ing the states and people together stronger
than with ribs of steel; still even then, will we
look happily forward to still greater future,
TO a still more rhythmical development, until
we finally sink to rest beneath the sods of the
great valley.
The audience then stood up, and led by
the First Artillery Band, sang America"
after which the Chaplain pronounced the
following benediction
Bless. Lord, this assemblage gathered to-
gether in the name nf patriotism. and, therefore,
in Thy name Bestow upon each home here
represented peace, plenty and health. Pre-
serve our institutions, and keep alive in us the
sacred fire OF liberty. Guard our prosperity by
virtue and righteousness, and may our defense
be Thy favor. Bless our rulers and enable them
to dispense the laws with inst hand, and may
these blessings be transmitted from generation
to generation till this great country shall have
accomplished its providential mission May the
blessing of Almighty Father Son and Holy
Ghost descend upon our country and all her
people, and remain with them forever. Amen.