The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-28

Until we are freed from commercial and
political vassalage to the Southern Pacific
MONOPOLY we can't expect to be much
better than we are, though the great and
good Senator Stanford had planted uni
versity in every county.
''As far as society ia concerned there is
less social display than in almost any city
of its size in the country. and far less than
in any city of its wealth. There are two
reasons for this. One reason is the wealthy
people 60 East for display and pleasure,
and the other is that the strong common
sense of the pioneer. which will not take
social display seriously, permeates the
community.
1--WE have no literature sufficiently dis
tinctive for Professor Anderson or anybody
else to criticize
''As for the art of San Francisco, we are
doing quite we'll, 1t seems to me. There
are lots of coed pictures in our galleries.
and while an artist like Keith can afford
to make his home here we need not be
ashamed.
while San Francisco has nothing
to De proud of, relatively to other Amer
lean cities. she need not blush"
William Greer Harrison, when spoken
to on the subject. at first was inclined to
act the part of apOlogist for Professor An
derSon, but after more careful reading of
the report and some of the statements
In 1t. Mr. Harrison changed his mind and
became some what indignant. He said:
"ihe statement Of a 'make-believe' art
and literature is an unjust charge and in
bad taste. 1t is true that if the substance
Of this address is segregated as mere
statements of fact there is some truth in it
all We have some very striking contrasts
as between intelligence and ignorance, cul-
ture ana vulgarity, but not more so than
other cities of like size and cosmopolitan
population. In fact, do not hesitate to
say that San Francisco contains more
highly cultured people in proportion to its
siZe-other conditions also considered,
such as location and age-than any other
city in the United States.
1--WE have here" he continued, 1.-THE sham
literati and the real literati. genuine art and
make-belieye art. But the same is the
case in ali other Cities There are 10 San
Francisco men and women who are fit to
sit on the worlds thrones of intellect.
There is the hackneyed old saying that no
man is appreciated as a prophet in his
own country. 1t has been true in the
past, and 1t is as true now as it ever was.
But for all that there is as much apprecia-
ton OF genius and talent in this city as in
any other. Rest assured that if there is
real diamond, a gem of genius, in this
community the people will find it out. l
may say that there is a reader, more
spontaneous acknowledgment of local
talent here than there is liz most other
cities. San Francisco has developed great
men in literature, has acknowledged their
genius and has given them to tie world,
and the world at large has placed its seal
Of approval on our choice.
''As instances of this there are such
literary lights as Bret Harte, Samuel NJ.
Clemens, Charles Warren Stoddaro, John
Vance Cheney and Joaquin Miller. These
gentlemen have added nothing to their
luster or their laurels since San Francisco
gave them TO the world. They have SIM
ply obtained wider sphere in which to
shine. This is busy community, and the
pursuit Of business overshadows much of
the artistic and beautiful, but true merit
will be recognized and appreciated as
readily here as elsewhere.
Miss Dawson has long had sincere ad-
mirers for her poetic genius. The author
lected than others would be under similar
circumstances. She is proud. very proud.
and too much inclined to retreat within
herself, She is real poet. true genius,
and many are ready to attest the fact. She
is bold, too, when the spirit moves her,
and can dash off some wonderful thoughts
For example, [ have here little ballad
which Miss Dawson wrote for a links
IL II ~
March, 1892. 1t has never been published,
and if you like you can take it along"
The little poem In questionis as follows
Ballade of yagsbonds.
Come slip-shod tatterdemalions, come to me,
Each yawning knave whose lazy stretch TO frame
Throws shadows that prehgures galows-tree.
+ ate fools OF those who live without an aim.
Nut-cracker furrowed faces stamped by shame,
Young waits like truant lilies from the ponds,
Your country is mine own the very same,
The poet is the king of vagabonds.
Tramps loungers beggars gypsfes blithe and free,
Musicians, players gamblers at Lifes game,
! We are sphinx-mOths that The Light OF the World
lets be.
| Bohemians loIing clan Philistines blame,
Queer shutting gaffer and groteSQue old dame,
Rogues, ragamufins, frail brunettes and blondes.
Day.dreamers iders, drones, here proclaim
| The poet is the king of Vagabonds
| Soldiers of Fortune-vagrant j de is Sheg
Come, wayward sparks from the Eternal Flame,
| One with the falling stars OF majesty
And wind-blown butterflies touch can MAIN.
| Knight-errant Love, old Faith that wanders
lame,
| That liar and straggler Hope who oft absconds,
AHnomads of the universe I claim,
| The poet is the king of vagabonds
HoI subjects mine. known by whatever name,
Wind, thiste-down, Dumbe-bee, rover, each
| responds
| On we heed not dersion acclaim
The poet is the king of vagabonds.
Whatever may be said of the general
construction" Mr.. Harrison observed, sit
is certain that the spirit and dash of those
! staDZas will forever place even such a
fugitive above the grade of mediocrity.
And there are thousands of people in San
Francisco who are quite capable of appre-
ciating, not only the genius of the author of
| old Glory but any other literary light that
may rise in our midst. Most emphatically,
do not think that San Francisco deserves
/ to be called the 'yulgarest'"
General LuciuS Fl. Foote was quietly
musiDg in his comfortable Office in the
| Academy of Science building when the