Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-04


We feel grateful to think Mr.. Marshall lived
to see the State become so prosperous. He must
have felt proud TO see it. He. the honest. stardy
tolier ior the bare means of an existence, for
even the stern necessities of lite, having not his
share or any share in the boundless wealth
which chance or the hand divine directed this
man should first discover.
), AS he lifted the gIistening ore In his hand,
the news OF lis discovery like an electrical cur
rent, passed nom continent 10 continent. We
can see this sturdy pioneer flor he was a pio-
neer IN the true sense of the world stand like a
god with grim SMILE as of destiny beckoning
TO all nations and exclaiming, Il have unveiled
that which will allure, and entice the strongest
and bravest of all the sons of men from every
our illustrious poet,
There is divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough hew them as we will
So we wish TO honor the memory of Marshall,
the dlscoverer OF gold in California, as the
western Continent would honor the memory OF
Columbus. in proportion TO the good the discoy-
cry opened up to the State and the world
Mr.. Chairman, permit me, as President OF the
sacramento Society OF California Pioneers 10
thank the citizens of the State of California for
the donation made through the Legislature for
the erection OF this beautiful monument for the
purpose of perpetuatiDg the memory of James
Wilson Marshall, the diseoverer of gold in Cali
fornia, on the 18th day of January, ISIS.
Samuel Deal, a San Francisco pioneer.
followed. He made brilliant speech. He
complimented the Native Sons highly. and
said the pioneers were not afraid 10 leave
the care of the State in their hands. He
also congratulated the Monument Commits.
sioners tor the noble manner in which
they had performed their work.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
Secretary of State Hendricks was next
called upon. He spoke as follows:
Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen: Some.
thing, probably the spiritual in our nature.
prompts living after death. "What shall / do
10 be forever KNOWN is a question natural to
all. Fresh men and boys, without loftier in
teilectual ambition, display that natural hank
ering after Immortality by recording their
names high up in public places, and each sue
cessive name recorded struggling for more
elevated and conspicuous place, so as the more
surely TO catch the passing eyes, while others,
inspired by higher aims, seek the same object
ny wflung, speech and works. The historian
the poet, the artist, the musician erect their
own monuments in writing. keeping their
memories green down through untold ages.
Even oral speech may be mouthed from genera
ton 10 generation as tradition fresh from
past ages while monuments of stone and lime
are crumbling.
Irish melodies and their written music is all
the monument that Tom Moore requires to per-
Whittier have iDdellibly written their monu-
ments in American hearts. Payne is immortal
lzed IN Home, Sweet Home while homes
exist, ana Key needs no monument while patri-
'Star-Spangled Banner"
Useful inventions in the arts and sciences
VIII pass along from father to son because of
their usefulness, perpetuating the memory of
the inventor. Steam is the most lasting NOM.
ment OF Fulton; every click of the telegraph
reminds of Franklin, while Mother Goose
VIII be sung as long as children are born, and
Calico remembered as long as bodies unsup
ported fall to the earth
IL Is not intended to condemn monum ents
put rather to inquire what they are for and why
erected? Perhaps from the same reason in
many instances that we plant flowers on and
keep green the graves of those we love-through
a feellng OF gratitude or reverence for their
qualities or acts while living.
We CHERISH memories of the departed some
times on account of their personal goodness. at
other times on account of some great act or
principle that they represent, even though we
mlgnt not know or care for the person. Some
times nave thought monument-building and
oeolcation an atfectatlon, display for glory or
profit.
character worthy of monument will per-
petuate that monument and its object longer
than the monument will the person.
The pyramids of Egypt REQUIRE monumental
names 10 keep them fresh. Ifthe knowledge
wnlcn was necessary 10 erect structures to
withstand the decaying influence of time for
over four thousand years had been put to some
useful human purpose, the art that they
possessed at that time might now be lost one,
my familiar to US in name. Statues, arches,
columns, temples, towers and pyramids will
crumble and cease to perpetuate a name unless
that person has erected by acts or work more
enduring monument in the hearts of mankind
than the marble to his memory | believe in
monuments when the person to whom erected
~ mas name to go down through the ages with
II, peieVe IN monuments as an ornament to
puoilc places for the benefit OF the living, even
without any great name.
In fact, monuments are for the bene fit of the
living, as thing Of art and beauty. more than
an incentive to emulate a principle of which
the original was possessed. monument to
Christ by man would be profane alongside of
MS works and written word. Neither would any
aIiihclal monument help to perpetuate Shakes
peare name, no matter how broad and high or
how ornamental.
The Declaration of Independence is more last
ing itg tnan any monument would be to its signers.
why Inns Marshall monument, and why are we
assembled here to day to unveil it? Is it on
account OF any particular fondness for his
memory Probably not. He was not of that
social mold.to so suggest. Is it on account of
his writings, inventions or any humane. pat
rloLlc or philanthropic move headed by him
and OF benefit to the human family? No. He
was unlike A. J. Stevens, whose monument,
erected by an sdmir1ng public, graces the
Plazi in Sacramento. Stevens was an inventor.
whose discoveries are living monuments 10
bless the race as long as the wheels of railroads
sul H. ne was a friend OF labor, without being
oemagogue; he was just to capital without
being sycophant Therefore his real monu.
ment is III the heats of his fellow man,
while his constr ucted monument is but an ex-
Had Marshall, like Columbus, been the father
and the follower of theory that purposely led
to the new world, it would have been different
He was but the blind instrument under chance
that any other might as well have been), in
first seeing and picking up the br ght metal.
which was the practical discovery that excited
the world and has been fraught with such won
derful results, drawing to this coast and leading
to the settlement OF this State by the noblest
band of men that ever came together
Whlle Marshall was not attractive socially or
intellectually, he must have been-1eas-in-
bued with true pioneer spirit and fired by that
romantic ambition necessary to discovery
II is because he made that practicable discov-
cry OF gold, which has led to such remarkable
neer, and as a representative of that noble band
OF ArgonautS, who have unearthed and set afioat
In the world over eleven hundred millions of
money he should live in history, making
monument to his memory appropriate This
monument to Marshall is representative of pio-
neer life, and of the pioneer principle generally
and especially of California. In speaking
warmly OF the California pioneers to whom 1
belong, must not be understood as speaking of
myself for | recognize the black sheep princi-
pie in all flockS.
,eThe early settlers of this State. whom con-
sider represented in this monument were
wonderful body of men; wonderful in the COM
bination OF all the good features that go to make
up the best qualities of our human nature. L
consregated here in early days from all parts of
the world, of every religion, nationality, pro-
fession. business, and might almost say color
no matter whether Ignorant or cultivated, rich
or poor, had so many qualities in common;
seeming TO be made of the same metal. / f.
nally settled down to the simple solution that
it requires hopeful. romantic natures, of men
tai and physical energy, whose god was, not
Mammeu-men OF nerve-to dare such distant
But the fact remains, 1t was so, no matter
what the cause. 1t is always more valuable to
know how anything is than how it came so-the
first is practically useful, while the latter is only
interesting. While it required
certain high qualities to come here it is likely
that California life developed and crystallized
them.
L Wondered once at being admitted an. inter-
view with Governor Seymour of New York,
while many other and more distinguished call
ers were kept waiting. His conversation devel-
oped the unexpressed reason. He said that he
was always interested in pioneers; that there
was something in pioneer life and in pioneer
countries that developed the best class-of men,
and the very best qualities of human natures
n is very gratifying to witness-the interest the.
only in this monument but in any and every
thing pertaining to pioneer memory. Painters,
poets and semi historians are too apt and have
in too many instances presented the early set
tiers OF California as a band of drunk KEN out
laws and cutthroats; and it is the duty, and
know it will be q lite work of love as well as
duty in the Native Sons and Daughters to cor
rect this. and thus protect the names of their
fathers.
Allow me. in conclusion, to say that at first
no sympathy waSfet for this monument or the
locality of its erection. Marshalis life did not
Justify. and if constructed, it should be placed
liz