The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23

terial that they can select from among themselves for their rulers men who will not only command their respect and sup- port, but who can in peace or war, at home or abroad, enforce the respect of the world to the flag and the nation and maintain our position of the grandest republic of freemen upon the earth. Colonel Currier then read several telegrams which had been received from many prominent men regretting that they were unable to attend the banquet Telegrams of greeting were also numerous, some of them being from sons of the order whose business has carried them to reside in Europe The principal telegrams received were the following:
 Exeeutve sut ss Department, ,sps Sacramento, Cal.
 William M Bunker. Chairman Banouet olution" San Francisco, Cal.-Dear Sir: I am in receipt of the invitation of your American Revolution" on the evening of the 22d of February, to celebrate the an- niversary of the birth of Washington and to renew the patriotic memories as- Sociated with his name.
 I regret exceedingly the necessity which compels me to decline this invitation. and hope that in doing so you will permit me proves a success and that your order finds in 1t inspiration for renewed growth.
 He ftcNOlutlOn gave 10 the WOTlC US greatest nation, an example of the possi- bilities of a free government, conceived by the principle of equality before the government by themselves of a vastly numerous people, intent upon the broad est liberty.
 Guided by discriminating Judgment, you meet for the purpose of reviving the memories of our fathers struggle for in dependence; on the anniversary of the birth of the one man who, more than fhn,~ do ell hl0 nf the great cause for which they battled. Washington was the great central figure of the Revolution. He was the noble ear grandeur of which which all factions could could gather, where petty strifes were har- monized and where selfish ambitions were shamed into inactivity.
 Your society, organized from the de- scendants of our forefathers, who con- ceived our Government and realized its existence, enjoys a splendid inheritance. to be worthy of which demands of you the highest standard of citizenship. You have before you a great work, to take up the burden of our broadly liberal society where your fathers have laid 1t down, and to carry it on. Your ancestors achieved a liberty; yours is the obligation to preserve 1t. They threw off the yoke of a monarchy; see that its rule is not succeeded by that of monopoly. They re- pudiated nobility created by royal pa tent; do not substitute for it the odious aristocracy of wealth. They bequeathed to us a Government so constituted that all might participate alike in it's privi- leges, should bear in equal proportion its burdens, and should enjoy the equal pro- lection of its laws These are the essen- tial principles which lie at the foundation of our liberties: let these be jealously guarded our most sacred heritage. Your mission is to uphold the constitu- tion, to preserve uncontaminated the prin- ciples asserted by our fathers, and trans init them unimpared to our sons While the spirit of Washington, of Jefferson and of Adams animates the breast of our citi- zenshfp. our institutions are safe, and we will pursue our splendid destiny of illus trating to the world the possibilities of free government.
 The uneasy fears which at times dis trust our confidence in the future should never dishearten but should prepare us to meet and solve the problems of the future. The insiduous growth of per nicious principles should be met by the alert attention of patriotic interest. The mand that they be accorded them It is the mission of this country to impose upon its citizens an even proportion of the burdens of it's maintenance, and to equally distribute it's privileges; it Is the function of your association to see that this foundation principle is faithfully ex- ecuted. That you will rise to your re- responsibilities confidently predict.
 Please permit me to again thank you for your appreciated invitation, and, with the hope that your meeting proves the success your noble purpose deserves, remain, yours truly,
 JAMES H. BUDD.
 pARTS France Eeb 1SQ9