The record-union., 1893-04-27

Sons pick up the thread where we left 1t of,
ana transmit to posterity the kindly remem-
brances of the old boys who commenced the
buildlng OF this great and glorious common
wealth.
RAISING THE FLAG.
Mr.. Gregory then presented w. E.
Chamberlin, introducing him as being
over 80 years of age and the oldest
member OF the Society of Pioneers in
Sacramento County.
1t was then announced that Mr., Cham
berlin would have the honor of raising
the flag upon the staff provided, and, as
the old pioneer did so, the band played
the inspired anthem, 1.-THE Star-Spangled
Banner" As the flag unfurled its bright
1oIds to the strong breeze an immense
cheer went up from the throng for the
flag, followed by cheers for the venerable
Pioneer.
A NATIVE SONS TRIBUTE.
When the excitement occasioned by
the raising of the flag had quieted Mr..
Gregory introduced Senator Thomas
Flint, Grand President of the Native
Sons.
Mr.. Flint. after few words of congratu-
lation, said there was no place in Callfor-
MIA where the memories of its pioneers
and their children clustered so fondly as
about the spot upon which they stood.
The pioneers who came to the golden
shores of this great State by sea or by land
whether they looked across the broad
plains toward the Pacific, or down from
the mountains-their eager eyes turned
first to this spot.
1t was the place from which nearly
every one of the earlier pioneers departed
in their search for gold. Here had come
men from all nations and from here they
had departed to success or tailure-many
of them to find their last resting place
here on the shore of the Pacific.
1t was, said the speaker, fitting that the
descendants OF those pioneers should as
semble upon this historic spot to take
part in these ceremonies, and for that
purpose they had come from north to
south and from the mountains TO the sea.
AS for himself, he was proud to be one Of
the many present, and was proud to be
one of the guests of the occasion and of
the city. on behalf of the Native Sons,
he desired to extend thanks to the Pio-
neeFs and to the city OF Sacramento for
their splendid hospitality. 1t had been
his pleasure to be one OF those to assist in
the Encouragement and erection of the
walls of the historic fort and to endeayor
to beautify and preserve it.
In concluding he said he did not
know what further he could say than that
the Native Sons had received at the
hands of Sacramento q elcome of which
they might well be proud, and words
failed him to express thanks for the
generous hospitality extended. He
trusted that in ii short time the committee
in charge Of the work would be enabled
to complete the walls and other work
going on at the Fort, and that before
long visitors to the spot would find them
in perfect repair.
At the close of MIR. Flints speech he
was loudly applauded, and the band
played the pioneers tune, Hes Jolly
Good Fellow.
JUDGE NILES sEARLs' ADDRESS.
President Gregory then announced
that it had been expected that General
Bidwell Would be present to deliver an
address, but it had been found impossi-
bic for him to attend. He had, however
the honor To introduce Judge Niles
Searls. and that gentleman advanced
and delivered an address which was
frequently interrupted by applause
He said that to him the surroundings
were poem that sank so deep into the
heart and took as full possession OF the
soul as the most beautiful ever written
by a poet. He respected the Native
Sons, he said, not for their fathers sake,
as Mark Twain die his son, but for their
own sakes ana for the sake of the future
in store for them. In behalf of the State
he thanked them, and he had right to
thank them, for their efforts to preserve
this spot hallowed by 50 many memories
At this point in his speech, Judge
Searls became so tervent in his remarks
that he knocked off the rail a glass of
water near his hand, scattering its con-
tents on those nearest.
You Will excuse me-" said he, there
was no water here in 49,"
He then stated how he first caught
sight of the flag at Suffers Fort in Octo-
ber, 1919. After five months of toll which
taxed their utmost endurance, the party he
,-fa1 i,, oil, -
They had been able to endure the trip
across the plains and over the mountains
only through will power and hope, and
when they tirst saw the flag flying aloft
from this point they thought not of Sac
ramento, but wondered if it was really
Suffers Fort. When told it was they an
yelled like Comanche Indians, and were
never so glad in their lives.
He remembered that the man who first
pointed out the flag was a red-headed
man, and ever since then he had liked
red-neaded men, and especially red
headed women. (Laughter.)
He could remember every crack and
Granny about the old fort, as it then was,
and if time permitted ne could tell stories
blamed sight more interesting than
what he was then saying. He said the
young men present took upon themselves
the task of rebuilding and preserving the
old landmark, and il was worthy and
patriotic thing for them to do.
1t might be said that Marshall was the
first to discover gold in California. but
General Sutter was the man who made it
possible for gold to be discovered. The
prominence and character of General
Sutter as man brought all men coming
to this coast to his door. He built up
this place before the gold was discovered
in yonder mountains. General Sutter
had died in the East, in little German
hotel in Washington. The speaker had
passed it q hundred times, and he never
did so without thinking of him and of
this fort.
When he first saw Sutter the General
stood at yonder gate, and it was true he
was tanned TO about the color of a sugar
cured ham; but he was then, as always,
kind and hospitable and ready with
cheering words of encouragement to all
who came-to whoever came or wherever
they were from.
Judge Searls said he did not intend to
make speech when he arose; the topic
was too large and too sacred for him to
say much about it without preparation.
He then extended his thanks to the
Native Sons, and commended again the
work undertaken by them, and trusted
they would protect IL, their State and the
flag, and be good citizens-and get mar
ried as soon as they We're old enough.
At the conclusion of Judge Searls' adj
dress there were hearty cheers, and the
band played 'The Days of 49,"
PIONEERS DAUGHTER.
Chairman Gregory then introduced
Miss Moilie B. Johnson of this CITY.
Junior Past Grand President of the Ma
tive Daughters of the Golden West. Miss
Johnson said that, in behalf of the Native
Daughters, she wished to express the ap-
probation of the work the Native Sons
had done toward the restoration and pres-
ervation of the old fort and landmark.
,cr,t ,f tLn y.