The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-10
PATRIOTISM AND WIT.
California Hospitality Just as
1t Was in the Days
of Gold.
rHE OLD BOYS BECOME MERRY.
First Celebration of the Natal Day
by the Society-Grand Ball in
the EVeningi

The Society of California Pioneers cele-
California into the Union by an sat home"
to the friends of the members.
The society's hall, at "a Fourth street,
was crowded all day long with gray-haired
citizens who prior to the day of the admis-
sion OF the State as one of the sisterhood of
States devoted their time and energy to
the development of the country and the
building UP of the cities of the State.
They were happy lot, these old pioneers,
and welcomed their guests with that cor
dial hospitality characteristic of the time
when most of them were in the prime of
manhood.
At II o'clock the Pioneers and their
guests assembled in the large hall and
were called to order by the president of
the society, who in few well-chosen words
welcomed all present and then said:
To the pioneers-the first OF us TO come here,
the first to develop the resources OF this great
State-we owe all that we are. They were the
builders of the destinies of the younger gener-
ations; on these men. the foundation pillars,
were rested responsibilities so necessary to ada
vancement. and progress. That they have full
filed their mission is but plainly evident
Still, 1t is not without an element of pain
that look out upon the throng before me, for
I see many vacant places Slowly our ranks
are being thinned, and during the short time
since we last met on an occasion of this char
acter more than fifty of our noble brethren
have passed away. But as we older members,
one by one, pass beyond the dark river, there
is consolation in the thought that our junior
members and the younger generation will
forever perpetuate the glories of California.
Charles ]. King was then introduced,
who said:
lam glad to see so many old pioneers pres
ent proving that the day of pioneers is not
past The pioneers are in favor of any im-
provements in the City, in spite of many state
ments made to the contrary. There is one
thing about the buildings of the pioneers
they are according to the laws of gravity and
with the divine approval. A man from SYM
metrically built city like Philadelphia, coming
here would say that there is little improve
ment in San Francisco from the old mission
style of architecture
The future historian of California will go to
the pioneers for information, not to the files OF
the newspapers.
I have lived in San Francisco forty-four
wears, and can say that the men of early days
were sincere and consistent in their lives. The
trouble that came later was from immigration.
I am glad to introduce to you one OF the Oldest
pioneers, Rev. S. H. Wiley.
The Rev. Mr.. Wiley offered an eloquent
PRAYER that was listened to with profound
attention.
DR.. Washington Aver then read poem
he had written for the occasion, "Past,
Present and Future"-an excellent produc-
ton.
Henry E. Highton, the orator of the
H. 100 @bo,, ;rtr0d,1oa5 ond ho said.
We are here to celebrate the founding of
State and the admission of that State after Bit
ter controversy, through wise and conciliatory
craftsmanship. AS we look back forty-five
wears we need no statistics to stupefy or in
struct us. The State is around US and within
us. The State has remained true to the Union
and to American education. 1t has stamped
its loyalty on peace and on war 1t stands by
the Golden Gate, wooing the nutritious ele-
ments of race and of civilization, which are at
once diversified and blended, and yet standing
sentinel against Asiatic corruption and the
insufferable pauperism of Europe.
Itbends proud gaze on 10000 of people
in eyery form of energy. The eternal SHOWS on
its mountain peaks are the emblems of its
swelling ambition for purity, strength and adj
vancement.
But not of the past but of the intensely vital
present do intend to speak to-day My theme
is the duty OF our rdleTulty dS IL CO1uo
home to the mind and conscience OF every
pioueer Eulogy on this State has been prac.
tically exhausted. Criticism, like the home
thrusts of friend, is more becoming and
more useful The complete rehabilitation and
ascendency of the manhood OF the community
is necessary. The whole nation is un-
doubtedly progressing. But we are in
transitional period. Ancient systems are
breaking up. The parvenuism OF wealth is not
only palpable but rotten. Intelligence and
labor wander through dense thickets. Force
stimulated by invention is Protean in its
shapes The hold of large masses of men on
Gods law is loose and nerveless. There is an
endless succession of experimental novelties.
Steam and electricity do most of the drudgery
of life. restless Incidence arrests the progress
of activity.
Even the sexes are seeking to escape from
their distinguishing characteristics. These
facts are by no means inconsistent with the
deeper truth that mankind is slowly ascending
to higher levels.
In the midst of the disruption which OBJ
scures the upward pressure of development,
what is the attitude of our own community?
What of the promised land of ye Israelites of
1S49?
The bacteria of corruption have swarmed In
our bodies, hearts and minds. Have we suffi-
cient vitality to expel them?
1t has been proved lately that North and
Continued on Fifth Page.