Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-22

States and Mexico are opened. What
you did for your country then, there
are those yet living who can tell,
speaking as eye-witnesses. But let
us take their words. The venerable
Governor of New Jersey, General R.
M. Price has said: california
would not be in the possession of the
United States had it not been for the
prompt action General J. Fremont" :"
(applause) July, 1916, you raised
the stars and stripes and
foated our proud colors over
the rude fortress at Monterey, and
July 14th, l847 you reaped the reward
of your struggle in the capitulation OF
the Mexican forces and the truce of
Cahuenga. But the work stopped not
here. A fourth expedition in 184S49
has given you a record as the pioneer
of scientific exploration in the West.
Such acts are seldom adequately re-
warded, nor is your case an exception,
yet your people were not forgetful of
the services you rendered, and in 1850
they honored you by electing you
United States Senator. Applause. ]
The next honor bestowed was the
highest that an American citizen can
bestow on any man. A new party
sprang up, a party destined to play
great part in the history of our nation,
the Republican party, and this new
political claimant for power casting
about in 1861 for fitting representa-
tive and leader chose you, and chose
wisely and we'll. Continued applausel.
And you became a candidate for the
Presidency OF the United States. Sub
sequently, in 1873, you were chosen
Governor OF the Territory of Arizona,
and now we are gratilied to know We
have the pleasure OF welcoming you
in our midst and on this your seventy
fifth birthday. We rejoice in the fact
that we are able to take you by the
hand and make you feel that our
heart is warm for you. We would not
neglect to say that we are fully cog
infant of the truth that in the wisdom
OF the selection of wife, life part
ner, is the success OF a mans career.
Woman verify marks our destiny and
noble one has marked yours. (Long
and continued applause.) All your
hopes, your ambitions, your trials,
your tribulations, your victories,
and your glories she has shared with
you and has kept your spirit strong
and your purpose firm. Mrs. Fre-
mont, we are most happy to extend
to you and yours most hearty well
come to the city of Los Angeles and
our most fervent wish is that you may
feel that in our midst you are at
home. May your lives be yet long
and happy. When at last you are
called from this, your chosen home,
no monument will of needs be erected
to perpetuate your memory. No stone
need be chiseled into suggestive
form to tell OF those that have passed
from earthly bonds. This State, a
brilliant star in the crown of the
Union, will forever perpetuate your
memory. [Applause.l
GENERAL FREMONT'S RESPONSE.
General John G. Fremont in clear,
distinct voice replied to the eloq uent
welcome in the following well selec ted
words:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLE
is the most grateful well
come my life has known and l have
not language to express the deep feel
ing of gratitude and emotion that has
been yelling up in my heart during
the last half hour. Your words are
to my heart like the refreshing show
ers that are now falling are now fall
ing on the parched earth. Almost all
of my past life l am living over again.
AS l stand here two pictures are
vividly portrayed in my mind and
will ever remain there. The one Of
the present, the other of the past. On
this side the one spreads out and |
see before me beautiful coun-
try blessed with such prosperity
as has seldom been recorded.
ci les, thriving villages
plains and valleys blooming under the
hand of a happy people. The other,
oh, what a contrast. Instead Of the
thriving city of Los Angeles, quiet
Mexican villa with it's scattered and
ado be houses, cut off from
civilization by the mountains on one
side and the ocean on the other, in all
a sleepy country town, known only
for it's hospitality. Instead Of the car
riage stood the patient broncho ready |
to convey the visitor to the rancho
in place of the kissing locomotive
ready to convey both passenger and
to all parts of the United |
States, the pack horse or the slow |
going stage wagon. But more wildly |
10 see, Drawing the cold |
of the mountains and dangers in an
land, my old comrades
my old soldiers, the men who gave
their lives to found the State you now
50 love. Words will not describe our
trials and privations, as
worn out with constant fatigue we
gained the summit of the Sierras and
descended into the verdant valleys OF
California. Our sorrows were forgot
ten, and we became intoxicated with |
the glorious climate we found here. l
resolved to return, and in 1S45, rein |
forced, 1 returned. We resolved not
only to make it our home then, but
the home of all our countrymen who
desired to avail themselves of the
best climate in the world (applause),
and the thronging thousands are
now reaping the harvest of my
comrades sowing. Time and
again l resolved and resolved
to make it my home, but as many
times cruel circumstances thwarted
nv design. But, Notwithstanding,
never have the birds taken their flight
at the &C ming of winter, but my mind
with longings has reverted to the land
of perpetual summer. In December
last, when the fierce storms broke
over the Eastern and
Northern States, my resolve came to
action, and as a result | am in your
midst. am happy to know l sue
ceeded this time, and if the grim rider
on the grey horse does not cut me
down, or the star of fate does not
otherwise fail me, I hope to remain.
[Applause.] 1 find 1 am almost
an entire stranger among you, how
ever, hope not long to remain so.
To mo thia climate ia almost | saw