The herald., 1895-02-23
SONS OF THE REVOLUTION
The SOciety's First Annual
Banquet Last Night
A DEMOCRATIC ARISTOCRACY
A Number of Notabfes Assist at the
Joyous Affair
Holdridge o. Collins Address Of Welcome.
The Toasts-The nembers
Present
A DEMOCRATIC ARISTOCRACY


fornia Society Sons of the Revolution,
was held last night in the banqueting hall
of the Westminster hotel. The menu was
as follows:
SOUP.
Cream of oysters
Radishes. Sailed Almonds
FISH.
Sauterne
Halibut
Boiled Chicken
Sauce Hollandaise
Parisienne Potatoes
ENTREES
Westminster Punch Cigarettes.
Apple Fritters Brandy Sauce.
ROAST.
Zinfandel
Sweet Potato Croquettes.
Young Turkey. Cranberry Sauce.
SALAD.
Lobster en- Mayonnaise.
DESSERT.
Strawberry Ice Cream Assorted Cake
Black Coffee. Cigars.
The address of welcome was made by
Holdridge .. Collins, president of the So
ciety, and is as follows:
We realize tonight the elimination of
our work of eighteen months, a labor of
love to all of us, but one also of diff
culties, anxieties and great discourage
ment
You are all aware of the disadvantages
under which this society was organized,
owing to the restrictions thrown about the
election OF members and the absence on
this Coast of all official records concerning
the actors in the Revolutionary War.
But we have happily overcome all diff
hculties, our society," Sons of the Revolu
tion enters upon the second year of its
existence with an enthusiastic member
ship, an assured treasury, and recognized
as one OF the permanent organizations of
the great commonwealth of California.
We are an integral unit of great pa
triotic confederation in which we find
brothers and home in every state of this
republic.
TO me personally, it is a source of graft
tication and pleasure to welcome you,
brothers, comrades and guests, to this
celebration of the Natal day of our Ma
tion's saint, knowing that we have met,
not solely to feast upon this banquet, but
to commemorate the establishment of our
society and to honor the name of him who
was first in the hearts of his countrymen.
What is our society and why was it called
into existence? Do you need an answer
from me?
Last summer gentleman called upon
me, stating that his great-grandfathe was
soldier in the Revolution, and request
ing information concerning our organiza-
ton.
| gave him copies of our constitution
by laws and other printed matter, show
ing what had been accomplished by the
Eastern societies as well as our own and a
general outline of what we propose to do.
Soon after he returned to my Office
stating that he had read these documents,
and then he said: "Mr. Collins, | can't
see any use for such an organization. We
have too many societies now, and | don't
appreciate any advantage in joining an
association for the purpose of being
entitled to wear a pretty insignia and
parading the streets behind buff and
blue flag.
| may illustrate my feelings as to the
obtuseness of my friend by an anecdote,
followed by an amusing story concerning a
New York Jewish witness, which was
received with great laughter. What is
our Society and why was it called into
existence
Our society is body of patriotic Amer
leans, and It's purposes are the preserva-
ton and conservation of those inst;tu-
tions which we Americans cherish as our
heritage.
We are the most arstocratic Democracy
and the most Democratic aristocracy on
the face of the globe.
The millionaire, the political leader, or
the social autocrat cannot pass the pol-
tails of our halls unless he be descended
from Participant on the Colonial side
III ouI wal lcl HUT anu un-
less he be a man of integrity, worthy and
well qualified and respected by his neigh
bors. The laboer, who earns his bread in
the sweat of his daily toll, if qualified, is
as welcome to us as he who sits in the
executive chair or presides in our courts
of justice.
A society non POLITICAL inpublic affairs
and non-sectarian in religious beliefs,
teaching love of country, having for one
of its principles the charge of the Roman
Senate to her consuls ''Videant Con-
sules, ne quid detrimenti republica
capiat," constantly on its guard to protect
those institutions for which our ancestors
toiled during eight long bitter years
and now endangered by an ignorant and
anarchitsic foreign migration
be but for good.
We are catholic in the broadcast sense.
We know no North, no South, no East
no West. The descendants of the heroes
of Bunker Hill, of Long Island of Mon
mouth and Princeton, of the Cowpens
upon any section of the land where all did
so well.
ssSWe are nation, and gentlemen, the
Sons of the Revolution propose to see that
we remain a nation and with pretty
large n to the end of time.
Cardinal De Retz said: Laws that are
not supported by arms are quickly des-
laws turn quickly to anarchy"
"We believe our laws to be just and equit-
able to all, and we as individuals and as
a body of Americans are ready to shoulder
the rifle to assist in the enforcement of
those statutes enacted by our delegates.
I'VE have trust in our judiciary from
Chief Jutsice Fuller down through the
long list to the last nominee on the Senate
by the President of the United States, and
| thank God that in that time of terrific
peril and anxiety last summer, we had
a Judge at our own freside who combined
with the calmness of the profound jurist,
the courage of a soldier and the patriot
ism of our ideal American.
Nor are we less slow to recognize and
uphold the liberty of the press, and to ex-
tend our hands with praise to those lead
ers of public opinion who stand upon the
side of law and order agains riot and an
archy."
society and why was it called into exist
ence?
The heroes of our war have all passed
away.
1.-THE knights bones are dust
Their good swords are rust
Their spirits with the saints we trust
And it is meet that we should assemble |
20 celebrate their virtues ad heroic deeds. |
From the Boston Tea Party, when
"Neer was mingled such draught
. In palace. hall or arbor.
AS freeman brewed and tyrant quaffed,
That night in Boston harbor,"
o the final achievement of their triumph |
mt independence, all their tolls, their |
,ufferinngs and sacrifices, we follow them |
With an humble gratitude, and wonder |
l. L.