since I have been in California. [Laughter.] I find myself hardly
seated at the table till some one reminds me that in about five
minutes I am to meet another throng of cordial and friendly people.
But I think I could have subsisted on this trip through California
without anything to eat, and have dined the while upon the stimulus
and inspiration which your good-will and kindly greetings have
given me. I do not think, however, from what I have seen of these
valleys, that it will be necessary for anyone to live without eating.
[Laughter.] I have been greatly delighted with the agricultural
richness, with the surprises in natural scenery, and in the production
which have met us on this journey. Everywhere something has been
lying in ambush for us, and when I was thinking of prunes and English
walnuts and oranges we suddenly pulled up to a station where they had
a pyramid of pig tin to excite our wonder and interest at the variety
of the production in this marvellous State. But let me say, above all
those fruits and flowers, above all these productions of mine and
field, I have been most pleased with the men and women of California.
[Applause.] It gives me great pleasure, too, to meet everywhere
these little ones. I am fond of children. They attract my interest
always, and the little ones of my own household furnish about the only
relaxation and pleasure I have at Washington. [Applause.] I wish for
your children and for you, out of whose homes they come, and where
they are treasured with priceless affection and tender supervision,
all the blessings that a benign Providence and a good Government
can bestow. I shall be glad if in any way I have the opportunity to
conserve and promote your interests. [Cheers.]
MODESTO, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 25.
Modesto was reached at 2:40 P.M. The veterans of Grant Post, G. A.
R., with Company D, N. G. C., and several hundred citizens, gave the
President a rousing greeting. The Committee of Reception was Hon. John
S. Alexander, Charles A. Post, and Rev. Dr. Webb.
George Perley introduced President Harrison, who spoke as follows:
_Fellow-citizens_--It is very pleasant for me to meet here,
as at all the stations I have passed, a kindly assembly of my
fellow-countrymen. We do not need any one to watch us, nor do we need
to keep watch against anybody else. Peace and good-will characterize
our communities. I was quite amused at a station not far from here to
hear a wondering Chinaman remark as he came up to the train, "Why,
they have no guns on board!" [Laughter.] How different it is with
us!--no retinue, no guards. We travel across this broad country safe
in the confidence and fellowship and kindness of its citizenship. What
other land is there like it? Where else are there homes like ours?
Where else institutions so free and yet so adequate to all the needs
of government, to make the home and community safe, to restrain the
ill-disposed, and everywhere to promote peace and individual happiness?
We congratulate each other that we are American citizens. Without
distinction of party, without taking note of the many existing
differences of opinion, we are all glad to do all in our power to
promote the dignity and prosperity of the country we love. We cannot
love it too much; we cannot be too careful that all our influence is
on the side of good government and of American interests. We do not
wish ill to any other nation or people in the world, but they must
excuse us if we regard our own fellow-citizens as having the highest
claim on our regard. We will promote such measures as look to our own
interests. [Cheers.]
LATHROP, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 25.
The President's arrival at Lathrop was celebrated by several thousand
residents, re-enforced by large delegations from the neighboring city
of Stockton. The Committee of Reception consisted of James J. Sloan,
A. Henry Stevens, Z. T. White, O. H. P. Bailey, E. Jesurun, T. B.
Walker, W. S. Reyner, D. Sanguinite, Geo. H. Seay, O. D. Wilson, C. F.
Sherburne, F. D. Simpson, and F. J. Walker. The Committee of Reception
appointed by the Mayor of Stockton, and participating in behalf of that
city, was J. K. Doak, F. J. Ryan, I. S. Haines, Willis Lynch, H. R.
McNoble, J. M. Dormer, and F. T. Baldwin. A feature of the reception
was 100 school children, each carrying a bouquet, which they presented
to the President and Mrs. Harrison, both of whom kissed several of the
little donors. Postmaster Sloan delivered the welcoming address. The
President, responding, said:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I should be less than human if I were not
touched by the rapid succession of hearty greetings received by us in
our journey through California. I should be more than human if I were
able to say something new or interesting at each of these assemblies.
My heart has but one language: it is, "I thank you."
Most tenderly do I feel as an individual so much of this kindness
as is personal to me, and as a public official I am most profoundly
grateful that the American people so unitedly show their love and
devotion to the Constitution and the flag.
We have a Government of the majority; it is the original compact
that when the majority has been fairly counted at the polls, the
expressed will of that majority, taking the form of public law enacted
by State Legislatures or the national Congress, shall be the sole rule
of conduct of every loyal man. [Cheers.]
We have no other king than law, and he is entitled to the allegiance
of every heart and bowed knee of every citizen. [Cries of "Good!
good!" and cheers.]
I cannot look forward with any human apprehension to any danger to
our country, unless it approaches us through a corrupt ballot-box.
[Applause.] Let us keep that spring pure, and these happy valleys
shall teem with an increasing population of happy citizens, and our
country shall find in an increasing population only increased unity
and strength. [Cheers.]
SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL 25.
At Keyes Station, near Merced, the presidential train was joined by a
special car containing the San Francisco escort committee. The following
gentlemen composed the party and represented the organizations named:
Mexican Veterans--Maj. R. P. Hammond. California Pioneers--L. L.
Baker, W. B. Farwell, Nathaniel Holland, and Col. A. W. von Schmidt.
Citizens' Committee--E. S. Pillsbury, J. B. Crockett, M. M. Estee,
Irving M. Scott, W. D. English, and Rev. Dr. Samuel V. Leech. Loyal
Legion and Grand Army of the Republic--Chief Engineer J. W. Moore, U.
S. N., Commander Loyal Legion; Past Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief S.
W. Backus; Past Department Commanders W. H. Aiken, E. Carlson, C. Mason
Kinne, W. A. Robinson, R. H. Marfield, W. R. Smedburg, E. S. Salomon, T.
H. Goodman, G. E. Gard, and A. J. Buckles; Past Junior Vice-Commander
Jesse B. Fuller, Adjt.-Gen. T. C. Mastellar, Past Commander J. M.
Litchfield, Congressmen E. F. Loud and John T. Cutting, comrades J. P.
Meehan, S. S. Flint, and A. J. Hawes.
Seven o'clock Saturday evening the boom of cannon and clang of bells
signalized the President's arrival at Oakland, where he immediately
embarked on the ferry steamer _Piedmont_ for passage across the bay.
On board the _Piedmont_, in addition to the veteran guard of the G. A.
R., commanded by Capt. Geo. F. Knowlton, Jr., and Lieutenants Wiegand,
Franks and Stateler, were the following prominent residents: Senator
and Mrs. Leland Stanford, A. N. Towne, R. H. Platt, A. J. Bolfing,
H. C. Bunker, C. F. Bassett, Maj. J. N. E. Wilson, Capt. G. D. Boyd,
J. C. Quinn, Geo. L. Seybolt, George Sanderson, J. Steppacher, Ass't
Postmaster Richardson, G. W. Fletcher, Mrs. Peter Donohue, Mrs. Geo. R.
Sanderson, Mrs. James Denman, Mrs. W. W. Morrow, Mrs. Joseph McKenna,
Mrs. M. Ehrman, Mrs. E. Martin, and Mrs. J. D. Spreckels. The scene of
the _Piedmont_ crossing the bay, illuminated with thousands of lights,
covered with flying flags, and greeted by all the craft in the harbor
with myriads of rockets and lights, was a bewildering spectacle. At a
signal great tongues of flame shot up from the summits of Telegraph and
Nob hills, and the monstrous bonfires from the deck of the _Piedmont_
resembled volcanoes. The entire population of the city came out to
do honor to the head of the Nation, and the principal streets were
beautifully illuminated.
As the President descended on the arm of Hon. W. W. Morrow he was met on
the wharf by Mayor George H. Sanderson, Col. Basil Norris, Lieut.-Col.
Geo. H. Burton, Lieut.-Col. John P. Hawkins, Maj. Frank M. Coxe, Maj.
Edward Hunter, Maj. James H. Lord, Capt. Chas. N. Booth, and First
Lieutenants L. A. Lovering and James E. Runcie, of the regular army;
General Dickinson and staff and city officials. Mayor Sanderson formally
welcomed the President and presented him a beautiful gold tablet bearing
a resolution of the Board of Supervisors tendering the freedom of the
city and county of San Francisco.
In response the President said:
_Mr. Mayor_--I have received with great gratification these words
of welcome which you have extended to me on behalf of the city of San
Francisco. They are but new expressions of the welcome which has been
extended to me since I entered the State of California. Its greatness
and glory I knew something of by story and tradition, but what I have
seen of its resources has quite surpassed my imagination. But what
has deeply impressed me is the loyal and intelligent and warm-hearted
people I have everywhere met. I thank you for this reception.
SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL 27.
Monday, April 27, the President and his party reviewed many thousand
school children assembled on Van Ness Avenue. Escorted by Mayor
Sanderson, General Ruger, and other distinguished citizens, the party
were driven through the famous Golden Gate Park. At the entrance the
President was met and welcomed by Park Commissioner Hammond, while
awaiting the guests inside was a reception committee consisting of E. S.
Pilsbury, W. D. English, General Sheehan, Chief Crowley, C. F. Crocker,
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Wilshire, Judge Hawley, of Nevada, ex-Mayor Pond,
Colonel Taylor, Marshal Long, Park Commissioner Austin, Mr. and Mrs.
Francis G. Newlands, Samuel Shortridge, C. M. Leavy, Surveyor-General
Pratt, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Le Count, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Danforth, Colonel
and Mrs. J. B. Wright, of Sacramento, Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Easton, Mr.
Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Paris Kilbourn, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy G. Phelps,
Senator Carpenter, of Los Angeles, Miss Harriet Bolinger, Mr. and Mrs.
Bolinger, District Attorney Garter, Mrs. Judge W. T. Wallace, F. W.
Sharon, T. B. Shannon, Mrs. B. L. Haseltine, and others.
The reception concluded, the drive was continued to the Cliff House,
overlooking Seal Rocks; from thence the party visited Sutro Heights and
became the guests of Mr. Adolph Sutro. At the close of luncheon Mr.
Sutro, addressing President Harrison, said in part:
_Mr. President_--I rise to present you a photo-lithographic letter
written by Sebastian Viscano, the great Spanish navigator. This is
probably the first letter in existence written by any human being from
California. It is dated at the port of Monterey, December 28, 1602,
named in honor of the Conde de Monterey, then Viceroy of Mexico. It
is addressed to the Court of Spain, and states that he (Viscano) had
taken possession of this country for his majesty.
The original of this letter I found in hunting through the Archives
de las Indias at Seville, Spain. At the date of this letter Queen
Elizabeth was still on the throne of England, Louis XIV. of France was
not born yet, and the Pilgrim Fathers had not yet landed on Plymouth
Rock.
Mr. President, we all thank you for having come to see our beautiful
land, and permit me especially to thank you for the honor of your
visit to Sutro Heights.
With the closing words Mr. Sutro extended to the President a red plush
album inclosing the letter. President Harrison, in accepting it, said:
I beg to thank you both for this letter and your generous welcome
to a spot the natural beauty of which has been so much enhanced by
your efforts. My visit to Sutro Heights, the cliff, and park will be a
red-letter day in my journey.
The next visit was to the Presidio, where the President and
General Ruger witnessed the brilliant manoeuvres of the troops.
Lieutenant-Colonel Graham was in command; Captain Zalinski was the
officer of the day. Captain Morris led the heavy artillery; Captains
Brinkle and Kinzie commanded the mounted batteries; Colonel Mills headed
the cavalry aided by Captains Wood and Dorst.
_Phi Delta Theta._
In the evening the President attended a banquet in his honor by
California Alpha Chapter of the State University of the Phi Delta Theta
fraternity, of which Mr. Harrison is a member. George E. de Golbia
presided. When the President arrived he was greeted with the fraternity
cheer. J. N. E. Wilson introduced the honored guest and proposed the
health of "the President."
General Harrison, responding, said:
_My Friends and Brothers in this Old Society_--I enjoy this moment
very much in being able to associate with you. I was a member of the
first chapter of this fraternity, which you all know was founded at
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. I have not lost the impression of
solemnity and reverence which I experienced hunting in the dark in
those early times to find my chapter room, and I am very glad to know
that those meetings were not meetings in the dark. I belonged to the
order when it was young, and now I find its members scattered in all
States, where they all hold positions of trust and influence. I find
that in its history it has produced nothing discreditable to itself,
but always something of which we may all well be proud. I thank you
for these few moments of association with you. [Cheers.]
At night President and Mrs. Harrison, Secretary Rusk, and
Postmaster-General Wanamaker attended an official card reception at the
Palace Hotel, tendered by the citizens of San Francisco. The visitors
were introduced by Col. J. P. Jackson and George R. Sanderson. The
occasion was one of unusual brilliancy, rendered especially so by the
presence of Admiral A. E. K. Benham and the officers of the fleet, Gen.
Thomas H. Ruger, Gen. G. D. Green, Gen. John P. Hawkins, Gen. John G.
Chandler, Col. Geo. N. Burton, and a hundred or more other officers of
the regular army; Governor Markham and staff in full uniform, Maj. Gen.
W. H. Dimond and staff, Gen. J. H. Dickinson, and scores of officers
of the National Guard, and a thousand or more private citizens of
prominence accompanied by their wives.
SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL 28.
_Launch of the Monterey._
Tuesday, April 28, the President enjoyed an excursion on the bay on
board the steamer _Puebla_. Following the _Puebla_ came the cruiser
_Charleston_, literally covered with bunting, and with booming guns,
leading a long line of vessels. The presidential party was accompanied
by Mayor Sanderson, Colonel Andrews, Supervisor Jackson, Colonel
Marceau, Colonel Chadbourne, General Gibbon, Collector Phelps, Capt. C.
M. Goodall, General Cutting, W. T. Coleman, Wm. Dargie, W. G. Harrison,
W. D. English, Stewart Menzies, Judge Murphy, Judge Troutt, Barry
Baldwin, A. E. Castle, A. Chesebrough, Martin Corcoran, W. D. Clarke,
W. R. Hearst, J. G. Fair, W. J. Dutton, W. F. Goad, Wm. Harney, John P.
Irish, J. D. Spreckels, Leon Sloss, Levi Strauss, A. W. Scott, W. S.
Tevis, C. L. Taylor, J. H. Wise, C. E. Whitney, R. J. Wilson, James. D.
Phelan, R. H. Pease, Arthur Rodgers, F. W. Sumner, F. J. Symmes, N. T.
James, G. L. Bradner, C. F. Mullins, Geo. A. Moore, T. C. Grant, and
other gentlemen of prominence.
In the afternoon, at the Union Iron Works, the President and Mrs.
Harrison participated in the launch of the armored coast-defence vessel
_Monterey_. Mrs. Harrison pressed the button which signalized the
launching of the great ship, and Miss Gunn, daughter of J. O'B. Gunn,
christened the ship with a bottle of California champagne. On the
platform with the President's party were Henry T. Scott and Irving M.
Scott, builders of the _Monterey_; master shipwright Geo. W. Dickie,
Governor Markham, and other prominent people.
In the evening the distinguished visitors attended a banquet and
reception at the mansion of Senator and Mrs. Leland Stanford. Nineteen
couples sat down at the sumptuous table. They comprised the President
and Mrs. Stanford, Senator Stanford and Mrs. Harrison, Governor Markham
and Mrs. Lowe, General Wanamaker and Mrs. Benham, Secretary Rusk and
Mrs. Markham, General Ruger and Mrs. Russell Harrison, Admiral Benham
and Mrs. Morrow, Col. Lloyd Tevis and Mrs. Dimmick, Mayor Sanderson
and Mrs. Boyd, Hon. M. M. Estee and Mrs. Moses Hopkins, Col. C. F.
Crocker and Miss Houghton, Senator Felton and Mrs. McKee, Mr. Russell
B. Harrison and Mrs. T. Hopkins, Col. J. P. Jackson and Mrs. Dodge,
Mr. Geo. W. Boyd and Mrs. Hewes, Hon. W. W. Morrow and Mrs. Estee, Mr.
Irving M. Scott and Mrs. Jackson, Major Sanger and Mrs. Gwin, Mr. H.
L. Dodge and Mrs. Easton. In the Pompeiian parlor of the mansion the
President, with Mrs. Harrison and Senator and Mrs. Stanford, received
the thousand or more guests, who comprised the prominent society people
of San Francisco and many other cities on the coast.
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 29.
Leaving San Francisco on Wednesday, April 29, the President spent the
morning at Senator Stanford's famous Palo Alto ranch. The first stop _en
route_ to Monterey was at Redwood City, where a large and enthusiastic
crowd, including 200 school children, welcomed the President. Geo. S.
Evans Post, G. A. R., C. D. Harkins, Commander, was present. Among
the prominent citizens participating were: H. R. Judah, of San Mateo;
Geo. C. Ross, W. R. Welch, Geo. W. Lovie, John Poole, Henry Buger,
Sheriff Kinne, Marshal Jamieson, and Judge Geo. H. Buck, who delivered
the speech of welcome and presented the President, on behalf of the
citizens, with a polished redwood tablet two feet in width.
As the train moved off President Harrison said:
_My Friends_--I am sorry that I can say nothing more to you in
the limited time we have than that I am sincerely thankful for your
friendly demonstration.
SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 29.
Arriving at San José the President remained an hour and reviewed a
parade in his honor. He was received at the depot by Mayor S. N.
Rucker at the head of the following Committee of Reception: Judge John
Reynolds, Judge F. E. Spencer, D. B. Moody, R. O. Shively, S. F. Lieb,
V. A. Schellar, C. M. Shortridge, T. E. Beans, L. G. Nesmith, C. T.
Ryland, O. A. Hale, H. W. Wright, J. W. Rea, C. T. Park, A. McDonald, C.
T. Settle, H. M. Leonard, B. D. Murphy, J. H. Henry, A. E. Mintie, S. F.
Ayer, Judge W. G. Lorigan, and H. V. Morehouse. Mayor Rucker delivered
the address of welcome at the court house.
President Harrison, responding, said.
_Mr. Mayor and Fellow-citizens_--I am again surprised by this large
outpouring of my friends and by the respectful interest which they
evince. I cannot find words to express the delight which I have felt
and which those who journey with me have felt as we have observed
the beauty and, more than all, the comfort and prosperity which
characterize the great State of California. I am glad to observe here,
as I have elsewhere, that my old comrades of the great war for the
Union have turned out to witness afresh by this demonstration their
love for the flag and their veneration for American institutions.
My comrades, I greet you, every one, affectionately. I doubt not
that every loyal State has representatives here of that great army
that subdued the rebellion and brought home the flag in triumph. I
hope that you have found in this flowery and prosperous land, in the
happy homes which you have builded up here, in the wives and children
that grace your firesides, a sweet contrast to those times of peril
and hardship which you experienced in the army, and I trust above all
that under these genial and kindly influences you still maintain your
devotion to our institutions and are teaching it to the children that
shall take your places.
We often speak of the children following in the footsteps of
their fathers. A year ago nearly, in Boston, at the great review of
the Grand Army of the Republic, after those thousands of veterans,
stricken with years and labor, had passed along, a great army, nearly
as large, came on with the swinging step that characterized you when
you carried the flag from your home to the field. They were the sons
of veterans, literally marching in their fathers' steps; and so I love
to think that in the hands of this generation that is coming on to
take our places our institutions are safe and the honor and glory of
the flag will be maintained. We may quietly go to our rest when God
shall call us, in the full assurance that His favoring providence will
follow us, and that in your children valor and sacrifice for the flag
will always manifest themselves on every occasion.
Again thanking you for your presence and friendly interest, I must
beg you to excuse further speech, as we must journey on to other
scenes like this. Good-by and God bless you, comrades.
GILROY, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 29.
Two thousand people welcomed the President on his arrival at Gilroy at 6
o'clock in the evening. The floral decorations were particularly fine;
the piece attracting the greatest attention was a life-size white bear
made of tea-roses. The Committee of Reception was Mayor Loupe, Thomas
Rea, Geo. E. Hersey, Victor Bassignsno, F. W. Blake, Professor Hall, and
Messrs. Eckhart, Casey, and Cleveland.
Mayor Loupe introduced the President, who made one of his briefest
speeches. He said:
_My Friends_--It gives me great pleasure to see you for a moment,
and thank you for your kindness in coming out on this occasion. In
all my travels I have never seen a more intelligent and happy people
than I have met in California. Let me introduce you to Mr. Wanamaker.
WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 29.
At Pajaro Station the presidential party was welcomed by the Board of
Trustees and 2,000 residents of the thriving city of Watsonville, in
the beautiful Pajaro Valley. Six hundred school children and a young
ladies' zouave company participated in the greeting. The Committee of
Reception comprised the Board of Trustees, E. H. Madden, T. J. Horgan,
James A. Linscott, H. P. Brassell, and the following prominent citizens
of Watsonville: W. A. Sanborn, A. B. Hawkins, Geo. A. Shearer, Geo. W.
Peckham, W. R. Radcliff, J. A. Hetherington, James Waters, Mark Hudson,
Geo. A. Trafton, John T. Porter, John F. Kane, and F. E. Mauk; also,
Wm. Wilson and C. E. Bowman, representing the town of Corralitos, and
C. R. Whitcher, Jr., representing Castroville. Chairman Madden made the
welcoming address.
The President said:
_My Friends_--I am very glad to see you this evening. I am sorry
that the fatigues of the past few days have left us all in a state
not quite so fresh and blooming as your fields and gardens. We are a
little dusty and a little worn, but you quite rekindle our spirits by
this demonstration. We have ridden with great delight through this
beautiful valley to-day. It seems to me, as we pass each ridge or
backbone and come into a new valley, that we see something that still
more resembles the Garden of Eden. It is a constant succession of
surprises, but most of all I delight to see such convincing evidence
of the contentment and happiness of your people. I am sure that those
I see here to-day must come from happy and prosperous homes. I wish
you all good-by. [Cheers.]
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 30.