The San Francisco call., 1899-12-21

which have been bestowed upon California
during the past fifty years.
Three cheers for the jubilee and Mayor
Martin were then given. A small parcel
Of earth gathered from Bunker Hill, Lex
ington, Mount Vernon and other historic
spots was passed around among the vet
Grams and each deposited some OF the dust
around the tree.
Professor Charles II. Allen read an orig
inal poem entitled The Sequoia," as fol
lows;
More centuries ago than man can tell
High on a mountain in this western land
little seed came. nuttering as It fell.
And soon was buried in the shifting sand.
Nakened TO life by sunshine and by shower,
Its roots grew downward. deep in Mother
Earth.
The stem sprang upward. as by magic power
Thus our Sequoia- the gautea. had its birth.
Nursed by Dame Natures ever fostering hand.
The tender shoot took on tree-like form.
Developing u strength that could Withstand
The blasts OF winter. the fierce mountain
Its gray-green foliage from each passing cloud
Condensed the moisture for the thirsty
The summer breezes through its branches
And here genial home for upward growth
Long cycles passed. its growth not yet com
1t stretched yet upward toward the source
Of light.
The frs and pines seemed pigmies at its feet.
AS thus II stood In majesty and might.
Fruitage at length appeared upon each bough.
BY winds its seeds were scattered far and
These found a home on mountain TOP and brow.
And struggling. made their way a-down its
rugged sides.
But when the Ice King reigned the glacier
Swept round the SUBMITS. leaving there
alone
The great sequoias; and the Storm Kings
Disturbed them not high on their mountain
throne.
This tree is California s-hers It's fame
Its only native home upon our shore.
Two nations claimed the honor OF its name
But Wellington and Washington arr .4vdrd
Our sixth decade Of Statehood has begun;
We plant. to-day. this fair sequoia tree.
Memorial and symbol, both in one
or what our State has been and what shall
be.
Around its roots. gathered with patient care
Earths have been strewn from many field
OF fame;
Nature grand alchemy shall these prepare
To make one mighty tree. II brooks not
whence they came.
And thus our State peopled from many lands
Shall. like the tree. be unified and strong:
Joined each to each with more than iron band.
To work for God and right. TO check each
The honored Pioneers from far away.
The Native Sons OF this our Golden West,
Have made this Jubilee golden day
With sacred memories and with richest prom.
ise blest.
Dare we look forward-many, many years
Uplft the veil that kindly hides our fate?
Our hearts are full or hope. undimmed by
fears.
The tree. the State shall both alike be great
The tree in all its symmetry and grace.
The State in noble women. noble men.
Each having won and held an honored place
And 10 this prayer let each respond-on,
Grand amen.
A salute by Battery c, Third Artillery
under command Of Lieutenant Brewer
closed the exercises.
A large crowd thronged the Auditorium
this afternoon and witnessed a re-enact.
ment of the opening scenes OF the first
State Legislature On the stage were ex-
Governor John Bidwell. J. Il. Church
president of the Santa Clara County Pho.
neers; Judge Buckles Of Solano. beside:
the various committees of the jubilee
After the rendering of THE Star-span-
gled Banner Grand Marshal Boring in
troduced Mayor c. j. Martin. who deliv
cred an address of welcome
Stewart, u. s. A, retired. representing
General Bennett Riley. the military and
civil Governor OF California;. Colonel
Wellington c. Burnett, president OF the
Associated Veterans OF the Mexican war
and Hon Niles Searls president of the
Society OF California Pioneers.
Rev. S. II. Wiley. DID, who served as
chaplain of the first Constitutional Con
vention, offered blessing
Major Edwin A. Sherman, representinp
Captain Henry w. Halleck who was Cal
ifornias first Secretary of State. read the
proclamation issued by Governor Bennett