The San Francisco call., 1903-09-20

tions. ana to-day sFe has before her posi-
bilities for the future far greater than the
accomplished facts she has already left upon
her pages Of history.
STATES HISTORY.
The three periods Of California's history be-
ginning with the cession OF this territory by
Mexico in ls47. are OF interest to all Califor-
mans beginning with the latter date we may
divide the history of the State into three
periods. which may be severally symbolized by
gold. wheat and fruit. which are the symbols
Of our progress and prosperity. Previous to
the discovery Of gold our State attracted but
little attention from the world at large Her
iair land had slept for ages uneXplored under
a sun which shone upon the rise and spendor
OF the civilizations Of earth. and which had
set with the fading lights OF their ruin; the
Wild harbingers Of spring had been yearly sung
in the wilderness unto the glories OF this land.
but the advancement OF other countries had
gone unheeded by, and its wild baTbarism was
fretted only by some adventurous spirit, who
settled in the broad valleys q the great rivers
where the smoke that curlet from his cabin
mingled with the unlimited air Of heaven and
marked the loneliness Of his abode, and where
he was content TO drag out a monotonous ex-
istence, free from cares, restraints and respon-
sibilties OF exacting world. But when the
excited messengers few 70 the four points of
civilization. bearing messages OF the discovery
Of gold, drama-like. these scenes we're changed
and, bordeT-iike, scattered the customs OF
centuries ana planted that civilization whose
society and government was based upon the
unwritten laws and the instructive justice Of
tne human race Noig ana sllFsr ore typlfy
this rrst part OF California; : history. For
them the pioneers made their perious journeys;
without them our glorious State would. in all
human probability. have remained unsettled for
many years. and many now prosperous States
lying between US and the East would not yet
have gained their present standing.
Those who came 70 California in the early
days 20 seek for gold little dreamed for n mo-
ment OF the future destiny Of our state: they
came TO seek for gold and did not imagine
that the treetess valleys or the brown foothills
were capable OF bearing more valuable products
than wild grasses or the Wild cattle and horses
that roamed the plains: little did they think
that California would be made the granary OF
the world: that the sails OF commerce Woul1
ply between the great harbors OF the Pacific
and the entire civilized world. May we not be-
lieve thzt IN their widest dreams they never
believed that California at the beginning of the
twentieth century would be situated geographi-
caily in The center OF the United States aud its
Territories-the greatest nation known 70
ancient or modern history nation that COM
rnands the respect and admiration OF the entire
civilized word2 Yet the germ Of prosperity
the spirit and inspiration that accompanied
and surrounded the early argcnauts has been
fOstered and revered until to-day our State .
numbers its population in the millions and
compares its prosperity favorabiy with any
state in our great federal bond. Can the world
wonder then that citizens and residents OF
California are proud 20 call ourselves Caifor-
mans? Can the world wonde. rhat we native
Cslfornians glory in the fact that are Ma
tive sons Of the Golden West?
CORNERSTONE Is LAID.
The president OF the order called upon
Past President Lewis F. Byington to de-
liver the invocation, after which he called
upon Henry Martin, grand treasurer. and
Henry Lunstedt, grand secretary of the
Native Sons Of the Golden West, to learn
whether they had prepared the documents
which were to be placed inside the stone.
and when each had answered in the af-
firmative be accepted q silver trowel pre-
sented by the architect Of the building,
and as the stone was lowered in its place,
he said
BY the authority in me vested and under
the kind invitation of the trustees of the Pub
lie Library of the city and county OF San
Francisco. and IN the name Of the Grand Par
lor OF the Native Sons OF the Golden West. I
lay this stone on a firm foundation and dedi-
cate this building 70 the purposes Of the dis
semination OF knowledge and the free educa-
tion OF the masses, for keeping ever burning
brightly the torches of friendship, loyalty and .
charity: and the protection OF our republican
form OF government.
Ny friends trust that the solemn cersrno-
MES Of this occasion may not be lost upon
our hearts In the gift Of this magnificent
building. for its noble purposes. its donor has
written his name forever the tablets OF
love and memory. his acts are an inspiration
TO all good citizens. May fits walls never echo 4
a sound Of discord unkindness and NAV /
all the education and influences tAat dow |