The herald., 1898-08-19
full strength OF the silver forces. If this
should prove to be the case he will have
only himself and his party to blame.


Over three months ago, when the ma
ton called for volunteers to defend its
honor. the Seventh California regiment
was one of the first to respond to the
call and report for duty.
For reasons which 1t is not now neces-
sary to discuss, that regiment has beer
kept in camp in San Francisco, while
other regiments from other states have
been sent to the front.
When the companies of the Seventh as
sembled in Los Angeles to take their de.
parture for what they thought would
prove to be the seat of war, the people
poured out and gave them a rousins
ovation-such a demonstration as had
never before been witnessed in this city
The war is now closed; an honorable
peace has been secured; and both the
army and navy are entitled to the last
ing gratitude Of the people. They are
entitled to this gratitude whether they
succeeded in reaching the front and brav-
ing the dangers of battle and the greater
dangers of the hospital, or whether they
only reached friendly camp, ready to
go to the front when needed. Only a
few of the soldiers have been engaged
in actual conflict with the enemy.
They also serve who, only stand and wait.
The indications now are that the Sew
enth will soon be mustered out Of the
service, and the companies composing
the Seventh will be sent to their several
homes.
The people of Southern California
should turn out in force and give the
soldiers a hearty welcome when they
come home. The people Of Los Angeles
should take the lead In this work. The
chamber Of commerce and the Merchants
and Manufacturers association should
take steps to organize the demonstration
By little effort each town having a
company in that regiment could organ
ize to receive its company. Excursion
rates could be obtained over the various
lines of railroad leading into Los An
geles, SO that large excursions could come
to this city from San Diego, Santa Ana
Riverside, Redlands, San Bernardino
Pomona and Pasadena, and also from
Ventura and Santa Paula, unless the
companies from those places should pre-
fer to go directly home, instead of COM
ing to this city and then going home
after the ovation here.
The excursions from these various
towns could escort their respective COM
panies home after the reception here
The boys. who feel bad enough already
over their failure to get to the front
would feel that their efforts for their
country are duly appreciated by their
friends at home.
Another matter might also be looked
after by our own people. Many Of the
boys left good, lucrative positions when
they went to the front. They made heavy
sacrifices, inspired by lofty ideas of pa
triotism. Many Of these places, vacated
three months ago, are still open to the
boys when they return, but probably
some of them are not. Our business men
should look after the welfare of those
who cannot step back into as good posi-
tions as they left. as well as help to find
positions for those who had no perma-
nent employment before going into the
army.
If Southern California takes hold OF
this work vigorously Los Angeles car
witness an outpouring of people such as
1t has never seen before, and the boys OF
the Seventh regiment will feel we'll repaid
for their three months of camp life and
bitter disappointment.