The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-09
A SOUVENIR.

PIONEERS. NATIVE SONS AND DAUGHTERS.
Twas long ago the argosy of old
Came bearing freight-more precious far than gold
And rode the swelling tide of forty-nine
Amidst the choral songs OF aud lang syne.
Nor gided spire nor painted dome seen,
BeQueathed by art gift of noble queen:
The country from the mountains to the sea
Had waited for the hand OF Industry.
The gray old hills looked down with somber frown,
Wrapped In the dreamy haze of summer brown;
Their story told OF all the unkempt race
That peopled long ago the SANITY place.
Utopia was sought by Suffers mills.
Where yet some lisping streamlet daily trills
Sweet music for the old-time listening ear
And brings dear memories to the pioneer.
Twas forty years ago that ancient Mars
First placed amidst the galaxy OF stars
That shone upon the flag another star,
Which far outshone all others shining there.
1t was the star beside the setting sun.
Which through pTimeya ages then had won
A victory over prince and foreign crown
To Join the constellation OF renown.
And all around Saint Francis ebbing bay,
And far along the rolling hills away,
Was heard the welcome news, with grand display
And merry song, This IS our natal day."
Fond memory fingers still around the spot
Where Yerba Buena's tented city stood,
And holds the fragrance of the shattered vase
With freshness in its own secure embrace.
Here now Minerva guards the ocean strand
And rifted highway to the promised land,
Where bleatng fioeks and lowing kline are free
On hills and valleys by the rolling sea-
And Ceres guards the fields of waving grain.
Made boun cons by the season., grateful rain,
While hills are laden with the fruitful vine
With Juicy grapes that yield the "ruby wine."
!, And far along the erst unpeoped land
n.ar f,II at 18th
| And grows the orchard with its luscious fruit
| That fills the want OF every days pursuit.
| Through all the State by summer breezes famed.
| Fair schools and churches fll the peopled land
| Those footprints OF the olden story told,
| Where manhood far outweighs the gittering gold.
| To-day thy labors all are well nigh done,
We men OF years who planned beneath the western
|
| And gave the world heritage so grand,
| This Il Dorado of Gods fairest land.
| The mothers, with advancing years grown gray,
| Methinks hear in sweetest accents say,
&" We hail with joy this most suspicious hour
And ring our ofering-lite'S faded flower"
| And daughters OF the pioneers are here
| With rudy cheeks and laughing eyes cheer
God bless them ali through all tie coming years
And spare their eyes from sorrows burning tears.
| with open hands and manly hearts to-day
The Native Sons lead all the grand display
Whose fliai love and gratitude sublime
VIII live emDaZoned ON the page of time.
My hymn is sung-my pleasing task is done
The day is buried by the setting sun.
Again TO rise i'll future ages hence
Full blooming with the gems of higher sense.
Oh. sing. We muse. and tune Apollo's harp
With vibrant notes to fill the generous heart
With admiration for the argonaut
Who toied and all these works of wonder wrought,
The tread Of generations yet to be
Is heard in all the mutitudes we see, -
AS mystic echoes of the far-off chimes
Bring back to memory the olden times.
And when another forty years shall be
And standing by the murmurng sunset sea"
Another race of busy souls may share
The bsnedictions of our latest prayer
-QR. WASHINGTON AVER.