The record-union., 1898-07-27


communion with those who have de-
parted, our thoughts are turned back
ward, and we drink in silence a toast
to our absent members. &
The Elks, my friends, are ever and
essentially an American and patriotic
order. The flag of our country is al
ways before US. With the Stars and
Stripes we decorate our altar, and amid
it's sacred folds we pledge ourselves to
acts Of charity and loyalty. Ever ready
to answer the cries of poverty and dis
tress, the true Elk will likewise re-
spond to the cause of his country and
Of American freedom.
TN the present conflict in which our
nation is now engaged. many of our
members have been called to duty.
Many more will follow should occasion
require. American manhood is to-day,
thank God, united from one end of the
land to the other. The integrity and
honor of our national character will
be preserved and maintained. The hand
of Providence to us is often a mystery.
1t has decreed this warfare. Many
blessings will follow in its wake. To
the American people it will bring about
more perfect union; the recollections
of former fraternal and bloody strife
will be buried and forgotten.
"A family concord between the sec
tions of the country has already been
promoted. There can be no longer
North, nor South, nor East, nor West,
for the blue and the gray now stand
together fighting for one flag and one
country. The people Of this nation
have been brought more closely togeth-
er in the fight for common interest
and common purpose. Confidence is
now restored all over the land, and
there will be esta blished in truth and
in fact, "A union of States that none can
sever; a union of hearts and union
of hands, and the one flag of our Union
forever
I'm the end, by the guiding hand oil
our noble President and the blessing
of Divine Providence, the name of the
United States will stand first on the
roll of nations, and it's flag will COM
mand admiration and respect In every
land and on every sea-"
PRESENTATIONS.
On the conclusion of the address Col
onel F. de L. Darlington of the Eighth
Regiment of California Volunteers, was
called before the Exalted Ruler, and
Major Ryan's services as orator were
again called out in presenting him with
handsome pair of field glasses on be-
half Of the lodge, Of which he is a mem
ber.
Major Ryan spoke Of the efficient
work done for the California National
Guard by Colonel Darlington, and laid
to his credit, in part at least, the dis
patch with which the first regiment
was raised at the call Of the President.
He paid Colonel Darlington a high
compliment for accepting a command in
the State volunteers instead of remain
| ing in the regular service. and said
when he arrived at Manila he would
use the field glasses to good advantage
in locating the enemy.
Colonel Darlington, in responding,
| said that while he had gone through
several Indian campaigns, he had never
met so disconcerting a battery Is that
of the eyes fastened on him. He spoke
words Of cheer for the California Ma
tional Guard and said that while the
history of the nation showed the reg
ular army had ever been equal to any
emergency it was but small factor
of the national fighting strength and
was only intended as a nucleus around
which to rally the several State organi-
cations. He would, he said,l cherish
the gift of the lodge as one of his dear
est treasures, and when the thip bear
ing the regiment to the Orient should
pass through the Golden Gate, he would
turn the field glasses towards Sacra-
mento, and remember both the city and
| the Elks.
Then the Elks rose in a body and gave
three ringing cheers for Colonel Car
| rington.
Still another surprise was in store,
and DR.. Charles D. McGettigan, Surgeon
| and First Lieutenant of the Eighth
Regiment Of California Volunteers was
brought before the Exalted Ruler to be
remembered at the hands of his breth-
rem.
| M. J. Desmond was called into SER
vice, and in neat speech presented the
/ doctor, in the name Of the lodge, with q
| beautiful gold emblem os the order Of
Elks.
| DR.. McGettigan responded briefly. and
and tiger.
| After America" had been sung.
everybody joining in, an adjournment
was taken to the banquet hall where a
| bounteous collation. was served after
which dancing and a general good time
was in order, and it was late before the
| Elks separated and wended their ways
to their homes, after a thoroughly en-
| joyable evening.