The San Francisco call., 1899-12-21

X AN JOSE. Dec. 3.-Festivities cele-
brating CALIFORNIA; fiftieth birthday
were begun this morning in the
- presence Of many gray-haired pio-
neers and Mexican veterans who
were instrumental in the launching Of
Statehood. and all day scenes of the
golden days were re-enacted. Every sec
tion OF the State is represented by pio-
neers and '49ers and they are making the
! event a grand reunion. None the less
/ prominent are the Native Sons and
Daughters.
Decorations Of redwood boughs and the
| jubilee cOlors, blue and yellow. line the
streets. while overhead are strings OF
! large American flags.
Among the notable pioneers present are
General and Mrs. John Bidwell of Chico,
Mrs Patty Reed Lewis Of Capitola, John
Domingos of Sacramento, Judge Niles
Searls. General Thomas r. Ketcham of
Stockton and William II. Hilton Of Berke-
ley.
Two features of the celebration are Bat
terry c. Third Artillery. and the Nevada
State Band. Battery c is an historic bat
tery having figured in the Mexican war.
AT Buena Vista its arrival turned what
seemed 10 be defeat into victory. Later
II was known as Braggs Battery. The
Nevada Band gave a concert this after
noon from the porch OF the representa-
]
the jubilee.
A center Of attraction IS the State Cap
itol building. over II is the flagstaff that
adorned the original building.
Tomorrow morning the grand street
parade viii take place. In the evening
there will be another entertainment at the
Auditorium. Friday night there Will be
a grand ball at the Courthouse.
The ceremonies opened with the plant
ing OF a young gigantea sequoia in the
city Hall Park. The Fifth Regiment
Band marched TO the place. followed by
several hundred people, most OF whom
were pioneers and Mexican veterans. The
spot where the tree was planted is but
a short distance from where the first
MAYOR Martin and Major Sherman, fol-
lowed by some nifty Mexican war Neter-
ans, including eX-Governor Bidwell,
gathered around the tree. A selection by
/ the band was played while the tree was
! being placed in position. Mayor Martin
| then read the following address;
This California redwood tree which we plant
to-day as IL lifts its head toward heaven will
| be a symbol OF the sturdy institutions OF the
State Of California. Let us hope thar like IL
! the people Of the state viii grow upward: that
II viii live through countless centuries like its
brothers IN the forest and that like them the
] free institutions planted nifty years ago by the
! founders of California will outlast the wrecks
OF feebler and less worthy governments that
/ viii lie along the course of coming years.
The earth with which Il is surrounded and in
/ which IL Is planted comes from Lexington bat
] tlened. Concord battlefield. Bunker nm. Dor
! Boston. Massachusetts; the Tea Wharf and
] state House at Boston. the Statue OF Liberty
/ In New York harbur and from Governors
] Island: the tomb OF General Grant, the battle
! nelds al Trenton and Monmouth James Mar
/ shalrs birthplace: Independence Hall. Phila-
delphia: the hattlenelds OF Germantown and
I Brandywint: the Washington Monument at
! baltimore: from Fort McHenry and Yorktown;
/ from Washington's tomb at Mount Vernon. and
! the Washington Monument at the nations cap
itoi. the Executive Mansion and Capitol al
! Washington. General John A Logan's tomb;
! Thomas Jefferson's tomb. Fort Moultrie in
! Charleston harbor. the National Cemetery al
| Arlington Heights. Lincons tomb; General
Raker's grave: the tombs OF Presidents Polk
| Juarez's tomb in the City OF Mexico: Gettys-
burg and Appomattox and the battlefield al
NcW Orleans; Paul ReVere's grave, and those
OF John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Faneuil
Hall. the old state House. Plymouth Rock:
also from ali the other principal battlehelds
lie tombs OF other Presidents. and from all the
state capitols and OF the Territories. and many
other localities too uumeTous TO mention at this
time.
tory OF our Golden State and county. and this
soil is a symbol OF that union OF whole
country and OF the various people and pioneers
who came together and formed beloved
Golden State.
As no poisonous plant should be permitted TO
grow upon the graves OF our countrys heroes
ana about the spots made sacred by their he
ro,c deeds 40 let hope that no ideas that
are not pure and noble and free may ever
spring from the minds or hearts OF the people
OF the Golden State.
Let the patriotism which these names call
90 the mind OF an American always live in the
| hearts OF a people grateful for the blessings