The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-10

young fellow ashamed of themselves-and
am one OF the young fellows. Ii there is
anything that appeals to public honor
and 20 patriotism the Exempt Flremen
are always to the front.
To-day, when the passing years have
whltened their heads, the same spirit
that prompted them in their youths to go
forth and do battle with the fierce flames
prompted them to-day to come forth and
honor their native land. When this flag
was first raised over the City of San Fran
cisco this State mad the greatest fighting
men in the world. 1t has been said here
to-day that in the Mexican War the Amer
leans never lost battle. This has been
denied by Mexican authority. They say
the Yankees were repeatedly defeated,
but, confound them, they didn't know it..
1T has been said that no man in whose
heart beats the pulse of liberty looked
upon the flag which Commodore Sloat
had raised without enthusiasm. But this
is mistake. There was one man.
Soon after Com modore Sloat raised the
American flag the commodore of the
British navy, who had been sent out to
make conquest of California, sighted
these shores. He sent one OF his men
aloft and asked him what ne saw. The
man replied ne saw some ensign ahoat.
What is it?' asked the commodore, and
the man replied, 1t is the flag of the
And then Commodore Collingwood
said, 'Damnationp
1--WE find that SIoat's action forestalling
the English Government gave US Califor-
MA Glad l am to be with you to-day to
honor Old Glory. don't think there is a
man but who, when he saw that flag run
up to-day and saw it kissed by the breeze
OF heaven, thanked God that he was an
American and believed that 1t was the
finest piece OF bunting in the world. l love
1t, not because it is the most beautiful of
flags, but because il is the only flag liberty
has ever given US, and it represents all hui
mainly.
1T is that flag that gives the liberty of
conscience. We may bow TO different
affairs, we may be Democrats, Populist, or
nythlng you please, but above all we are
Americans, loyal to the grandest flag that
ever hoated meath the skies"
At the conclusion of Judge FerralPs adj
dress he was given three rousing cneers
and then the Exempts started up the
chorus, Hes jolly Good Fellow, which
vas Joined in with will.
Harry Niemann amused the assemblage
for while. Jack McGresnv, OF the Police
Department. sang, ''The Engine That's
Housed on the Hill, and George Kinney
sang another song dear to the hearts OF
Exempts, "ScanIan's Chief Again. In all
these the old fremen joined in the chorus
Charles Wilson, and old exempt, told a
num- Der OF interesting "reminiscences OF
early days in the department, and warmly
eulogized the ire laddies of the volunteer
organizations.
James O'Donnell, another Exempt,
made q humorous and at times eloquent
address on the flag and the Fire Depart
ment. He regretted that he was not in
California when Captain Montgomery
raised the stars and stripes in San Fran
cisco. He explained that at that time he
was but IA years of age and had not YET
lett his native land.
Proceeding more seriously he eulogized
the Tag as the banner of religious and
civil liberty TO which the down.
trodder OF every race looked hopefully.
AS fitting final to the celebration three
rousing cheers were given for the dag. and
stanZa of America was sung.