The San Francisco call., 1896-05-02
FINISH At SAN LUIS,
Exodus of Delegates to the
Native Sons Grand Par
lor Begins.
Two Historic Anniversaries to b
Celebrated at Monterey and
Sonoma.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CAL, May 1.-The
annual Grand Parlor convention of the
natives ended to-day. Five carloads of
the delegates and guests started away on
the northbound train this morning, but
there are hundreds of visitors still in
town. The delegates do not like to leave
hospitable San Luis, and those who tarted
to-day were by business compelled to go.
When it is remembered that five of the
delegates are judges of the Superior Court,
that twenty are district attorneys, and
that the majority OF the others are en-
gagged in the law or in other professions,
| the inability OF the natives to all loiter IN
even such pleasant place as this may be
easily understood.
! One feature of the convention Just ended
was the marking of an important point in
| the later California history. 1t is fifty
years since the raising of the Bear flag at
Sonoma, and it is fifty years since Com
modore Sloat unfurled the United States
emblem of dominion at Monterey. Action
in relation to the observance of the semi
centennials was taken yesterday by the
| Grand Parlor of the Native Sons, as re-
corded in THE CALL. The following let
| ter, from men who were in the field in
that early time, participants in the action
now to be commemorated, has been re-
ceived by the new grand president, Henry
c. Gesford:
OAKLAND, CAL, April 27, 1896.
Hon. Henry C. Gesford, Grand President Of the
Native Sons, NdpG, CdI.-DEAR SIR: On behalf
of the Associated Veterans of the Mexican War
we extend to you and, through you, to all the
NativeSons of the Golden West most cordial
invitation to attend the celebration of the
! fftieth anniversary of the taking possession of
California and the raising of the American flag
at Monterey on July z, 1916, by Commodore
John d. Sloat of the United States navy, which
celebration will be held at that place on July
z, 1896.
We would also offer the suggestion that
those parlors aud Native s ons who cannot at
tend at Monterey commemorate that occasion
in the respective towns and cities where To-
Gated, application having been made to Gov
ernor James H. Budd TO declare that day a
legal holiday, of which there is no reasonable
doubt but that it will be granted. The bear
| flag might be hoisted at Sonoma on its fiftieth
anniversary in June and then followed by the
hosting of the American flag ut that place on
its fiftieth anniversary to commemorate these
dates of the American occupation. Now is the
time to fix these dates in the minds of the
present and the rising generation, while the
few survivors of these stirring events are still
above ground.
Trusting that we may have the pleasure of
your presence and large attendance of the
Native Sons at Monterey, we have the honor to
be, respectfully yours
EDWIN A: SHERMAN,
-: JOSEPH STEWART,
w. c. BURNETT,
Committee of Arrangements of the Asso-
ciated Veterans OF the Mexican War.
Following is the text of the James D.
Phelan resolution ir regard to the same
matter:
WHEREAS, July z next will be the semi-cen
tennial anniversary of the most important
event in the history of American occupation
of California, viz, the raising of the American
flag by Commodore Sloat; be it therefore
RESOLVED That the Grand Parlor hereby in
struet the grand officers to maks proper pro-
visions for the celebration of this event. and
that literary exercises in the City of San Fran
cisco be recommended as. the form of such
celebration.
ResoIued further, That the Grand Parlor now
in session do hereby memorialize Congress in
favor OF the bill pending in that body provid-
ing for monument to that gallant hero and
historic figure. Commodore Sloat, to be erected
at Monterey, and to particularly request our
Repres entatives to take an active interest in
behalf of the measure.
The committee to confer with the Mexi-
can Veterans about the celebration is COM
posed of Henry c. Gesford, James D.
Phelan, NJ. A. Dorni P. E. Zabala and l..
NJ. Wooster.
Many of the delegates went on the
excursion to Los Olivos this morning
through the rich and beautiful region of
Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Santa NJ aria and
Los Alamos. At Los Olivos a barbecue
was the main feature OF the reception, and
there were bicycle races, foot races and
horse racing. Another large party went
over the famous drive to Pismo Beach.
The final event on the weeks programme
was farewell ball given by the ladies of
San Luis Obispo at the big pavilion in
which the Grand Parlor sessions have been
held.