The San Francisco call., 1909-10-06

how the people and this club welcomed
you to the new San Francisco. We
want you to take with you this book
In it are pictures showing San Fran
cisco as ii was in 49, quiet village,
and San Francisco as IT was on the
morning of April Is, 1906, with the
flames spreading disaster over all. Here
also are shown some Of the finest build
ings as they were before the fire and
as they appear rehabilitated. But what
you viii appreciate most is that which
stamps the courage and bravery of San
Francisco-the buildings of the new
San Francisco. You will take, L hope,
this appreciation and reminder of the
courage of the people. their heroism,
pluck and business capacity. l present
it TO you with the hearts of all our
people included in the token"
The cheering audience stood while
the heavy portfolio was presented to
the president. There were three more
cheers for Taft.
PRESIDENT RESPONDS
Then President Taft made his happy
remarks He said:
President de Young, Governor Gill
lett, members of the Union League club:
am delighted to stand in the presence
of this club which, its name would in
dicate. is similar in organization to
the Union League clubs of Philadelphia,
New York and Chicago. Tt recalls the
time when the nation struggled for
life. Then the Philadelphia club was
organized for the purpose of putting
life into the battle which was being
fought TO preserve the union. The
purpose of the Union Lea que club was
10 be republican political organiza-
ton. intended to hold high the prin-
ciples of popular government and to
maintain in every way the sacred
proposition OF pride of country to which
we Americans subscribe.
NO one can come into this community
without being perfectly Overwhelmed
by the sight of what you have done
in the last three years. 1t is incon-
eeivable, and but for the fact that L
know it, ] could not believe it, AS
secretary of war and president of the
Red Cross ] had an opportunity to
study the awful consequences of your
disaster But as I saw the youth of
the city today, along miles of your
city streets, l wondered whether these
children had known of the trials and
exposure which 100000 or 100000 of
your people experienced They went
through that awful week, yet they
smile and laugh-in fact, | have seen
no one who seems depressed with even
a thought of that terrible history. I
have not discovered a single burdened
face.
Every restoration-that Of this Grub.
for instance-seems to prove that
which once seemed impossible-that
you are indeed to continue to be the
imperial city of the west coast. 1t
ought TO thrill every American to
think of what you have done during
the last three years. You can nos
prevent the pride We feel in you.
thank you for this book. 1t will be
handed down to my children as an
evidence of your good will, and energy
and ability to overcome obstacles"
With the hall ringing with cheers,
the president took his seat.
MADE REVOLUTIONARY son
President de Young then presented
a committee of the Sons of the Amerf-
can Revolution. consisting of Colonel
J. c. Currier, r. III. Sims, Colonel a.
d. Cutler, Byron Mauzy and Marshal
Hale, who wished to make the presi-
dent an honorary member of the San
Francisco society of the Sons of the
American Revolution, the parent or
the certificate of membership. Presi-
dent Taft declared that he appreciated
highly the honor bestowed
President Taft is the fourth presi
dent to be enrolled as an honorary
member of the society.
De Young then presented William
crocker, candidate for mayor De
Young said that it was desired that
the president have time TO shake hands
with all the members of the club. but
that as his time was limited he could
not do that.
President Taft then left the club
house, after greeting several personal
friends who were at the club.