The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-27
RANDOM NOTES.
By JOHN McNAUGHT.

ClIy III is SAID we have already seventeen.
Ii the opposition to US were united there
would be but little promise in this show
ing. Fortunately for US the opposition Is
not united. The reports state that but
two cities, Chicago and Pittsburg, are IN
the field against US, but in that respect the
reports are not wholly accurate. The local
papers of Boston and Buffalo are urging
the claims of their respective cities, ana
we may be sure they are not making their
efforts without aid. Four at least OF the
Eastern cities may be put down as COM
petltors in the contest. We nave, there
fore, only eight men to gain from an OPP
position divided into four factions. 10
move that many ought not to be dl111cult,
even if they formed a solid eight as
heavy as our own. 1t could be proven to
them, indeed, that they would add to
their weight and lose all their heavlness
if they would consolidate with the other
seventeen.
The idea of holding a National Conven-
ton in San Francisco appeals to one OF
the grandest sentiments of our patriotism.
We have no nobier source OF National
pride than that which lies in the wide area
of territory over which our people have
spread without losing the power OF acting
together in harmonious law. 70 name on
the shore OF the Pacific chief magistrate
who is to reside on the shore of the At
lantic would strikingly manifest the mag
nitude of our ocean-girt Republic. We
are fond OF spreading the eagle. This
would spread it to the limit.
One of the incidental advantages likely
to result from the Assem- bling of a National
Convention in San Francisco would be the
education of the East in the geography of
the United States. The people beyond the
Rockies are living in the ignorance of be-
lieving that this City is on the western
limit OF our country. In such a belief
there is no knowledge of Alaska. San
Francisco is really the central city of the
Republic, and when our National eagle
perches here he must extend his wings
West as well as East to reach the boun-
darleS Of our possessions. 1t is possible to
teach this truth even to the Eastern mind,
for man is not necessarily beyond the
reach OF education because he is beyond
the Rockies: and to perform the task is a
patriotic duty which our knowledge owes
to their ignorance. Let us invite them
therefore to hold the National Convention
in the central city of the Union, and when
they arrive show them that for the first
time in their lives they are truly in the
midst OF things.
We know that autumn has come because
the chrysanthemums are here, and we
know the chrySanthemums are here be-
cause some of US have been to the Palace
to see the show, and some have stood on
the streets to see the procession go by
This flower is not very benefcent to
woman, but manifold and marvellous are
its blessings to man. He that has
chrysanthemum needs no new coat. With
one of these in his buttonhole the man in
the shabblest OF leftover garments passes
muster as dandy. Nor does he need an
overcoat even when the wind blows, the
fogs come in and the nights grow chilly
With the heart OF him warmed by sense
OF such gorgeous possession how can the
back of him be cold? Truly this is a beati-
tc blossom. 1t fatters pride, consoles
poverty, adorns what is brilliant, hides
what Is shabby, warns the blood, satisfies
the mind, erects the head, enlivens the
step, attracts attention and fultlls almost
every social need of man except the ad-
miration of women, and it even conduces
to that.
The dispute over the succession to the
Office of poet laureate in England is
hardly less interesting to US than to the
English themselves, for poetry belongs to
a language and not to a nation. The vol
umes of Tennyson in every American
library show how far he was ours, and the
bust of Longfellow in Westminster Abbey
attests the claim of the English on him.
This being true of all poetry is most par
ticularly SO of that kind OF verse poet
laureates have to write. 1t is their duty
to furnish poems for great occasions of
state, grand ceremonies and national
celebrations. What they write under such
circumstances becomes part of the news
OF the day. Enterprising journals have to
print 1t and intelligent readers have to
read it. 1t is a matter of mportance to us.
therefore, that the poet laureate should
be capable of writing verse fit to mingle
with the news of the day, and not appear
fiat and stale by contrast with the rest of
the paper. Having thus both poetic
and news interest in the succession to the
office we cannot avoid feeling of irrita-
ton at the way the British are stupidity
oqudpUllilg Ofer II, ana WOQiQ ike TO see q
committee OF investigation appointed to
find out why there has been SO much
delay.
There are people in England who advise
the abandon ment of the laureateship alto
gether, and there are others who recon-
mend such mediocre poets for the place
that one is half persuaded to agree with
the first SET There are strong reasons,
however, for preserving the office. 1t is of
no little advantage to q nation. to have
some one who can fitly sing great occa-
sion In verse that will inspire for the mo-
ment, even if it does not endure for ages.
We in America know very well what hap
pens when committee on programme is
turned loose to select a poet of the day.
We have some recollections still of what
was perpetrated at the Worlds Colum bian
Exposition, and we do not wish England to
send US anything like 1t as part Of the
days news On some great occasion over
there. We don't wish it at Geographic
rates, anyhow. Therefore, it is desirable
for our own sakes that the British should