The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-21
A BRILLIANT RESULT.

With an admirable sagacity, the Half
million Club of San Francisco-a body of
energetic citizens pledged to do all in their
power to raise the population of the City
to half miIlion-accepted the opportunity
presented by the festas at Los Angeles and
Santa Barbara to promulgate the doctrine
of State pride and unity of achievement.
To that end it arranged for an excursion
to the southern part OF the State, which
should carry such leading San Franciscans
as have the good of the State at heart. A
considerable number went-more than the
long record of indifference and inaction
had led us to expect. For a beginning in
an undertaking which is so radical de-
parture from established methods, it was
exceedingly encouraging, and may be re-
garded as but the inception of movement
which will soon embrace every Californian
worthy of the name.
The reception given these gentlemen by
the individual citizens and the organized
bodies of representative men at Los An
geles was even more gratifying than the
movement started in San Francisco. The
most distinguished attentions were show
cred upon them. They were taken by the
hand with that cordial grasp of brother
hood which means an intelligent compre-
hension of citizens duty to his State
The small ghost of State division was
quickly laid. In bringing about this result
the Half-million Club has accomplished
the initial triumph i'll the series of victories
which shall end with the placing of Cali
fornia in the high position to which she
is entitled by her rich and abundant re-
sources.
Southern California has arranged to
cement this bond with an excursion of her
leading men to most of the finer parts of
Central California. Many of them do not
know how wonderful region this is, and
the knowledge which they will acquire
will equip them for the intelligent work
which they have set themselves to do.
With their superior energy and pride they
can inform US of our shortcomings, and
perhaps consent to lend us their direct
assistance. Meanwhile, the alert members
of the Half-million Club have learned
many things IN the south that will be of
the greatest use to them in arousing the
pride and directing the energies of our
own people. They have learned some
Angeles and the contiguous region in in
ducing so large and intelligent a popula-
ton, in assuring profits to horticulture by
the adoption of business-like methods. and
in accomplishing so conspicuously valu-
able results by making the towns and
cities beautiful. In short, they have
secured an insight into most of the means
by which Southern California has achieved
greatness. These methods they can teach
to the laggards whom they left at home
In the fraternal meeting at Los Angeles
it was an inspiration that suggested a
speech from R. F. del Vale as a represent
alive of the men born in California The
plan upon which that splendid body of
young men known as the Native Sons of the
Golden West is constituted may not, in its
present form, contemplate a regard for
the material interests of the State, but out
Of its members might be organized sub
sidiary body which could adopt that as its
mission. For if there are any citizens of
California who should have pride in their
State and whose greatest pleasure it should
be to advance it to the highest possible
position they are those born on the SOIL
and the body of Native Sons, embracing
much of the flower OF young manhood
that we have, has the finest conceivable
material for accomplishing this splendid
result.
The Half-million Club deserves the most
generous appreciation of every Californian
and the most earnest support of every
worthy citizen.