The San Francisco call., 1896-09-10
Orator of the Day S. M. Short
ridge Makes a Telling
Address
AND STRIKES A HEAVY BLOW
A Straw Vote Taken on the Boat
Elects Mckinley by Big
Majority.

FL Campo saw slgnC yesterday Cnal
will probably be referred to forever in its
history as "that Admission day in '96."
Led by the Society of California Pioneers
great throng of people in holiday dress
and holiday spirits-men, women and
children-spread itself out through the
groves of the beautiful resort, applauded
the orator, danced to the music ana gen.
orally did honor to the men who laid the
foundation of the commonwealth and to
the day they celebrate.
It was a beautiful day, beautifully cele-
brated. The big ferry boat Ukiah left her
wharf at $50 crowded with the merry
makers, all her half-dozen flags flying and
Blum's big orchestra playing an inspirit-
ing air.
The waters of the bay sparkled in the
sun and the colors of the craft anchored
and under way were heightened by it as
the excursonists ran down past the Union
Iron Works to take look at the Oregon
and other craft stationed there. Return
ing close under AlcatraZ, landing was
made at FL Campo d little before noon.
The great throng broke itself up into
luncheon parties, for the order of the day
had been to 'come provided"
1t was nearly l o clock when the assem-
bly, call was sounded and the concourse
gathered in the pavilion, where, after the
band had played prelude, the president
of the Society of Pioneers, Coils H. Root,
introduced the orator of the day, Samuel
NJ. Short idge.
A burst of applause was followed by the
profound stiffness of perfect atten ton.
Then the sonorous tones OF the voice of
the orator filed the place, reaching to the
furthermost limits of the great Gathering.
Mr. Shortridge was frequently interrupted
e
stantly as he touched the chord of patriot
ism or paid a tribute to the labors, the
achievements of and the honors due the
pioneers of the great State: Mr.. Short
ridge said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Grateful to God Tor his manifold blessings for
liberty. for ali the precious fruits OF clviliza-
tion which we enjoy, proud of our State and
her achievements, we assemble here to-day,
matron and maid and sire and lad, to give ex-
preston TO our gratitude and to celebrate the
admission of California into our great and
enduring Union. We come from all the differ
ent walks in life. We are here with memories
carrying Us back to homes scattered through
out the whole Union. to homes far beyond the
seas, but all united. all devoted, all proud of
our grand State of California. Applause
We are here TO celebrate in JOY and thanks
giving the admission of California into the
slsterhood of States. We are here to indulge
IN Pardonaole prlde In all we have accom-
plished, all that we have done for 1Zation
for the uplifting of man, for the opening of
avenues OF labor and usefulness to women
for all that we have ACCOMPLISHED fol- the hem
eft OF this State and her people. To me it is
an honor quite undeserved to be permitted TO
pay a brief tribute to California and her
founders. We come to pay a poor tribute to
the noble men and noble women to whose sui
fering, to whose dauntess spirit, TO whose toll
and tears are due all the glory of our State
all we have to-day, all we hope to have in the
poor tribute to the pioneers of California Zap
plausel, to the men and the women who
turned their eyes westward and here and upon
this western slope, within sound of the man
Hold voices OF the sea, planted the standard of
Christian civilization, under whose ample
folds we rejoice to-day. (Applause1
Thus assembled, our minds turn backward
and we think of the early days of California
We think of time prior TO 1S49, and the
quiet and dreamy clyiliza ton that fiourished
here. We think of the news that went speed
ing over the noun tains, across the plains on
across the seas 20 all the people of the earth
the news OF the discovery OF gold IN this Slate;
and in our hearts and through our lips we
pay tribute to Marshall the discoverer of
gold. lApplause.l l cannot here, on this oc-
casion, dwell at any length upon the effect of
that news upon the world. Many of the gray
haired men and women before me lived at
that time and remember the condition of the
country and the effect of that news upon them
and the world.
Let this be recorded as, indeed, it will be
recorded. that the westward march of the pio-
neers was in cause inspiring, as praise
worthy, as noble as ever engaged the thoughts
or labors of men in all the history of the
WOIIO. NOL q SOTQlQ purpose, not for gain
merely did the pioneer turn his eve west
ward; no, he came here out of love of country,
out of love OF home to plant civilization, and
to lay the foundation of great common
wealth [Applause.J The story of that west
ward march, the toll, the tears, The struggles.
the long, weary long march across the plains,
over unbroken prairies, through undiscovered
canyons, over rocky mountains, through dark
ness and storm and dangers, is a theme to en-
gage the pen of the poet, and 70 call forth all
the efforts OF eloquenee- That journey was
heroic; that army was composed of heroes.
You found q civilization hospitable and
generous, but not of the East Thew our
Spanish predecessors, had love of country. but
If there are descendants of them to-day here
assembled they must rejoice at the planting
of the banner Of the morning stars here upon
this coast.
How our State grew in wealth and numbers
you know full we'll The pioneers came here
in search OF gold. but they brought with them
love of law, love of order, belief in free in
stitutions, faith in constitutional govern
ment. Early convention was called to frame
a constitution. A constitution was drafted
whose foundations were laid in justice and
equity and liberty, and whose every stone and
pillar was dedicated to the rights of man and
to Christian civilization. [Applause.l
constitution having been framed YOU
NEW TO-DAY.