Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-21
POSTMASTER INTRODUCES
MAYOR ARTHUR C. HARPER

The toastmaster said in introduc-
ing Mayor Harper, that the worst
thing he had done in his career was in
appointing the present fleet commit
tee.
Mayor Harper pronounced the off,
Ncial welcome in these words:
This is indeed without exception
the most significant event in the his
tory of the old pueblo Of Los Angeles;
from the days when the Spanish padres
roamed over the foothills of the Sierra
Madre range down through the long
and picturesque years of its history
until the present time, and now like
a stalwart young giant it is able to
attempt to receive with becoming cere-
mony and dignity this magnificent ag-
gregation Of the best of the nations
patriotism, industry, ingenuity and
courage.
My great regret tonight is that was
not born an orator-that cannot re-
produce in the vigorous language Of the
western country an idea of the feel
ings which surge through our citizens
at the great honor which is conferred
upon them by the visit of this distin-
guished gathering.
However, as the city's chief execu-
tive. charged with the responsibilities
of the office of mayor of this city, 1t
becomes my duty and l may add ex-
treme pleasure, to salute you all, Off
GERS IIlS GREAT lltCI, anu SOY "
you in the language of the old Cali
fornian "Su casa senores"-gentlemen
the place is yours
| may be pardoned if I say that the
welcome of the Californian does not
need the language of the orator to give
it emphasis, but through all its days
of vicissitudes and trials. it's days of
gold, it's days of drought, It's days of
prosperity and it's days of adversely
the hospitality of a Californian was as
genial and warm as the atmosphere
which he breathes.
Ready to Do Bidding
Long before it was my privilege to
travel as a mere babe to California
the open door and seat of honor were
reserved not only for the intimates OF
the family, but likewise for the strang-
er. The welcome of those olden days
has come down through that generauon
TO this, fresh and unchanged-al that
we have is yours Our hearts ana
hands are to do your bidding and the
grearscity of Los Angeles, the metrop-
oils of the southwest, filings wide its
gates and takes you into It's arms Win
the strength and affection Whicn only
family ties can bind together. for are
you not our brothers, sons of this great
country of ours, born and bred out OF
its best citizenship and exalted TO po-
sitions of the gravest responsiveness
as to the destiny of this great repuDnc
positions which we are proud to state
you have filed not only successfully,
but with characteristic American sa-
gacity?
1 bid you welcome. therefore, not only
on behalf of this gathering, represen-
tatiye of the best citizenship of this
CITY. but likewise on behalf Of the great
multitude of the men and women whose
heart beats are In accord with us to-
night and l speak even for the chill
dren for the babes of the city, whose
future material welfare rests so much
in your hands at present, and whose
baby hands will have to develop into
future strength and courage to fil
the positions of heroes and honor which
you occupy today.
We have but to pause moment ana
orr thoughts wander from this flower
bedecked banquet hall up over the
northern hills to far away Paso Robes.
In that sick room fighting the battle
Of his life lies one of Americas great.
est heroes. with knitted brow ana
drawn face he faces unfinchingly the
{ grim destroyer. We pray God that ne
will be given strength and courage 70
Withstand the onslaught of the enemy,
and that he may be spared long days
in the land which the Lord his Goa
hath given him, and when the SUM