The morning call., 1890-12-26
CALIFORNIA AHEAD.
Retrospection and Introspection
by a Returned Exile.

l have been tenn pied ever since nv return
to California-which, after seventeen years
Of continuous residence left for visit to
my old home and friends in the East-to
give you some of my experiences while
away and the Impressions made by my OBJ
servations. spent most Of the summer in
Florida, where my aged mother, since dead,
resided, and l was most agreeably disap-
pointed in many things which would fill
pages OF paper TO relate, so / will omit much
that / would like TO speak of, and come di-
recily to the point in what have to say, re-
serving for the future more detailed ac-
count OF my observations during my months
of wandering
After a pleasant visit to my old home,
where l found many changes ana a vast i'm
provement Travelled north, visiting the old
battle-grounds in Georgia and Tennessee.
Hero again the busy hand of change was
visible and everything seemed teeming with
renewed life and energy. Again, en- to Gin
cinnati, to the great Centennial; to ST.
Louis. where / saw the wonderful spectacle
OF the Yelled Prophet, stopping for days,
weeks or months, as time or circumstances
dictated. But when cold weather began to
assert itself my thought turned to my Califor-
MIA home. But at this time had not half
satisfied myself with the changes wrought
during my absence. Americans wear them
selves out with the rush and excitement of
life, and need some changes in order that
they may receperate their exhausted ener-
gies. and to some persons change is an absO-
lutte necessity. Well, needed change. and
thoroughly enjoyed my ramblings. Every
where seemed to feel and appreciate 1t,
and all the elements and circumstances ap-
peared to enhance it, until l appeared to be
intoxicated with the pleasant experiences.
investigated everything, looked into every
subject and studied the people, the
climate, country and municipal affairs
of ntnca / vtsitad hnt
could not stand the cold weather. That
was too much for me. What to do and
avoid the discomfort without coming back
was the question. / had been i'll New Or
leans, and while there l had seen chance
for business and Improvement, and con-
cluded l would try it. so took passage on
one OF those magnificent and world-re-
nOwned Mississippi River steam boats, and
a nine-days' trip on the Father of Waters
brought me TO the Crescent City. Aud such
and / was sorry to end the experience.
There had been in New Orleans
and in Mobile two years of exceptionally
fine weather, during which time an over
coat was hardly ever needed. l stayed and
stayed, like the 1sraelites, who waited in
the wilderness, waiting and waiting living
and learning, and the result was that l
learned that all things and places have two
sides, if not more. l think that all of the
cities that l have visited are improving
MORALLY anu pnNSlcdlly III Tie True AIlleTl-
can sense, and think that we may really
and reasonably hope for grand future If
the struggle for advancement is continued.
think. however, that in some respects
San Francisco has advanced further in ma
terial progress. There is room yet for some
radical changes, but they will come. Some
things are much better, and l do not think
anything is worse than it was ten years ago,
not even the Chinese question. One thing
has struck me fOrcibly since my return. and
l suppose the comparison was possibly sug-
geSted by remarks and Inquiries made by
Eastern people in Cincinnati, St. Louis.
New Orleans, Mobile, New York and other
cities, and that is the number of fine looking
people who are to be seen here, and es-
pecally ladies and girls. In the
South especially, they, pride themselves
on their fine women, and they have a right
to be proud of them. And think that i, is
because they make the claim and think u
great deal about 1t, and strive TO be supe-
rior, that brings about the desired end. We
all should strive to make ourselves what we
ought to be, and at the same time make the
government of our cities and our country
what it ought to be. l think l have seen
some as fine people-nice, smart anu intelli-
gent-in Texas. Georgia, Florida. Mobile
and New Orleans, as can be found in the
world. There should be more of them
But in San Francisco L have seen whole
blocks crowded with them, more in fact In ten
minutes OF better ayeragethan anywhere
else that have ever been. California beats
the world IN the growth and production of
everything, and give it time and it will excel
every other country in its production of \
firm, vigorous, robust, healthy, joyous, good
and happy people. Only think so, and try
to be so, and you have the best chance in the
world. 1t beats Sarat oga's summer season
all the year round. was there in August,
and it was crowded 10 its utmost; but what
is nicer than San Francisco, even now?
Wishing you Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year, am yours, S. II. SLAUGHT.