The San Francisco call., 1906-04-15

fornias most beloved sons and the best
friend-I say the best friend-of the Fill
ipino people, gives me courage to speak a
few words of welcome at his home
coming.
General Smith is one Of those men
who, with their tact and executive abil-
ity. with their impartiality and affable
treatment of the F'ilipinos, commanded
from the very beginning not only our
good feeling and respect, but also our
deepest admiration. 1 have witnessed,
personally, several of his kind deeds and
l can vouch for his conciliatory but wise
attitude when the task of governing
Negros, my native island, was allotted to
him. The island of Negros was, indeed,
very fortunate in having him for its Afst
military governor, for you all know what
perfect peace reigned there during his
regime We were sorry to lose him. and
were 1t not for the fact that we desire
his advancement in this life we would
have liked nothing better than to keep
him among us forever as our true friend
and adviser.
THAT was his beginning. Since then
his rise has been a rapid one and his
deeds are so recent and so well Impressed
in your minds that 1 need not tell of
them here.
'It now rests for me to welcome, in
the name of all the Filipino students in
California. our common friend, the fu-
ture governor of the Philippine Islands
We join with you Californians in well
coming General Smith and wish him sue
cess in all he may undertake for the
honor of this country and the welfare Of
my own
Mayor Eugene Schmitz made the open
ing speech. He welcomed the general In
the following terms I'VE meet here to-
night to do honor to one who has not
only done honor to himself but to the
State that gave him birth We are here
to honor man who comes from. the peo-
pie, who has made his mark and whom
the people love. The people of San Fran
cisco. Governor General Smith, with
arms outstretched. welcome you back
again
Judge Graham followed, taking the
place of Judge Murasky, who was unable
to be present on account of the recent
death of his wife. He made a touching
reference to the grief which had struck
Murasky Just as he was awaiting with
joy IN his heart the return of his old
partner, Jim Smith. now Governor
General Of the Philippine Islands" He
expressed his confidence in the success
of General Smith in his new position
and ended with an expression OF .his
wish that his career would end only
with the highest honor that can be the
gift of the American nation"
Governor Pardee welcomed the Cen
eral in the name of the people of the
State of California" 1--WE hope" he
said, that the good fortune you have
so well earned will continue with you
TO the end of your life
Professor Bernard Moses. who pre-
ceded General Smith as Commissioner
of Education in the Philippines, spoke
of the work already done by General
Smith and of his flttingness for the
work remaining to be done When I
look down upon this great company"
he said. Il realize that we have still
some interest III the Philippines We
are not ready to lay down our duties
We have work to be done. We have
behind us q record of things well done,
and in the doing OF these things Gen
eral Smith has had an important part
lie is the man best fitted TO continue
the work.
Rev Joseph p. McQuaide, who was
the chaplain of the First California
Regiment during the war, spoke of the
popularity of General Smith in the
Philippines. Let me tell YOU" he said.
that whatever may be our pride to-
night there are few of us who can have
any conception of the joy with which
the Filipinos heard that their best
loved American was to occupy the chief
position of responsibility and trust in
their country"
S. NJ. Shortri1ge said: I'VE love and
admire General Smith for his qualities
OF heart and mind. In his hands the
sceptre will be held for the glory of
the republic and the welfare of the
Filipinos. The honor of this republic
will be safe in his hands"