The San Francisco call., 1903-09-10
GLOWING TRIBUTE
TO FOUNDERS OF
THE GOLDEN WEST

TINE literary exercises in St. James
Park In the afternoon attracted sew
eral thousand people. A band con-
cert was given by the Fifth Regiment
Band. After the parade many of the
visitors went to the park to rest and
await the exercises under the shade of the
trees Lewis F. Byington, past grand
president, was the president of the day.
After being introduced he delivered the
Following address, which was well re-
ceived:
Sons and daughters of the Great West we
gather here to honor the men, our fathers who
planted upon the soil OF California the institu-
ions lions tnat nave made our country great. Here
oeneath the peaceful skies that spread above
them, amid the fertile fields they sowed and
reaped. by the side OF the monuments thew
nave reared, we recall again their trials and
tribulations. proclaim their virtues and tha,
valor. and. conscious OF our responsibliities
learn whether. true to the traditions Of onr
dren '"' 0Ali-
Every valley and hill OF California is rich
WIN WIN relniniscences OF the pioneers, and to-day
throughout her broad domain the people gather
IN city, upon mountain and plain to marvel
AT AT her achievements. and in strains of affec-
tionate admiration recount the virtues and the
services or her founders but here in the early
capital Of the State rich in the traditions of
the spanish ana Mexican days, surrounded by
the most fruitful of valleys and crcled bv
vine-clad hills, with institutions of learning
that are the pride OF the nation. glory in
progress Of the years
We stand to-day at the gateway that SEN
arates the first half century Of California's ex-
lstence as State from the twentieth century
which opens before US. The last fifty years
belong to the pioneer. Through the dim vista
OF years we can mark his weary trail over the
broad prairies of Illinois and Nebraska and
across the barren sands Of Nevada. We see
him climbing on up through the snow bound
canyons Of the Sierras and at last standing
with shaded eyes, at the summit gazing o1t
over the vista OF California's unrivaled won
ders Through trials and tribulations he ha .
fought his way to the promised land. He turns
Tor a moment and gazes back over the Seemingly
endless waste he has traversed. Many a faith
tul companion of his youth and riper manhood
have fallen by the wayside. Beneath the grass
on the Western prairies, folded over with the
SHOWS OF the Rockies. by the side OF the
parched and sandy trail and under the waving
pines. with hope unfulhlled, many ambitious
heart lies still forever. But the strong and
resolute, the survivors OF myriad dangers
stand at last upon the summit OF the Sierras
their faces turned toward the West-the buiId-
fires kindled on every hillside and by MANY n
mountain stream. The crystal waters that for
ages leaped pure and untrammeIed from the
virgin SHOWS are fretted by the wheels OF the
monitors upon the hills above. Urged on by
the spirit OF adventure or the love of danger
American liberty found In them its most reso
Lutte defenders justice its boldest Champions
Wherever their tents were pitched, organized
society held sway, and the institutions OF self
the principle of education as the ideal prepa-
ration for good citizenship, they planted an
American school on every hillside. We their
children are proud to-day to revisit the scenes
Continued on Paoe HoIu-,,