After the excitement had somewhat subsided, Senator Streeter called
upon the platform seven veterans who had voted for the first Harrison
and in a befitting speech decorated these men with a fine red silk
badge and I had the honor to pin these badges upon their coat lapels.
As I did so tears fell upon my hands from the eyes of these patriotic
old men. I also decorated General Vandevere and in return he decorated
me as the historical and patriotic singer of California.
The twenty-fourth president was Grover Cleveland who was elected in
1884, but was defeated in 1888 by Benjamin Harrison, and in 1892 was
re-elected and inaugurated March 4, 1893. I did not take an active
part in this campaign as I had never sung for a Democratic president
and I would not begin with Cleveland. The next president was our
beloved McKinley and in the last campaign for him I sang in the
Mechanics pavilion in San Francisco to 15,000 people. I was then
sixty-four years of age. I was worried a little that age would tell in
such a great place, but if I failed it was for a good cause and my
country. I consented to sing after much persuasion from Sam Booth and
W.H.L. Barnes. I had in all my singing life never failed. I
reluctantly consented, trusting to my knowledge of how to use the
voice. At the appointed hour I was at the pavilion with Mrs. J.M.
Case, my accompanist. When I came upon the platform I was cordially
greeted by the old guard, W.H.L. Barnes, Sam Booth and thirty-five
other men of the committee whom I had met in former years. After
taking in the situation I was a little disturbed when I found the
floor had been left for dancing and I was obliged to sing to the tiers
of seats that arose as high as I could see and all that empty space to
cross and one single voice to reach this great mass of people. For
once I felt my voice inadequate for the effort. In the highest row of
seats were several of my pupils and they were to give me the signal
that my voice and words carried distinctly. I was requested to sing
Vive l'America, the old civil war favorite song. I arose when
announced amid a most tremendous recognition from the people of San
Francisco. I was so excited I forgot my age and began my song. I had
sung but one line and on looking up I saw the signal and it aroused me
to my best efforts which proved most satisfactory. When I finished the
policemen's sticks pounded on the floors, the band gave a grand rally,
the people applauded and for many minutes nothing could be heard but
the deafening demonstration and a recall was demanded. I sang
Millard's Amalia from the Roman Charioteer and finished with the
exultant B flat which arose in the softest touch and increased to the
fullest crescendo and diminished to the pianissimo. At that moment by
a prearranged plan, unknown to me, one of the most beautiful flags
that ever floated was unfurled and fell in graceful folds by my side.
I involuntarily seized it with my hands and finished amidst one of the
greatest receptions ever given to any prima donna in my time, and I
felt I was not forgotten by the people of San Francisco whom I had
served for twenty-seven years. They gave me the honor to which my age
and experience as a singer and patriotic charitable worker in the
upbuilding of California and its institutions entitled me. Theodore
Roosevelt became president on the death of McKinley. With his victory
at the next election he became the twenty-sixth president of the
United States. My practical work for the Republican cause ceased then.
My voice and spirit still remained but the accident to me in 1901 put
an untimely end to my public work. I have sung for Decoration days and
Fourth of July demonstrations. My last one was in 1906 at the
Macdonough theater and the people of Oakland gave me a befitting
tribute. From the speaker and the twenty-five uniformed soldiers who
formed a half circle around me to the immense crowd that filled the
theater the applause for Vive l'America was spontaneous. I also sang
Annie Laurie, the favorite song of every soldier who fought in '61, a
song which was on the dying lips of hundreds of soldiers who fell
fighting and thinking of their loved ones at home. Can you wonder at
the tears coming to the eyes of our veterans when the strain is sung
And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me down and dee. I sing this song
with all the sincere feeling and personality that I possess. It is a
sacred song to me for I have heard the story many times as told by the
veterans since the war. After this final tribute of my career The
Oakland Herald had this to say next day: "The beautiful simplicity of
Mrs. Blake-Alverson's singing provoked tremendous applause and she
responded to the never-to-be-forgotten lines of Annie Laurie." The
Enquirer said: "The singing of Mrs. Blake-Alverson was a revelation.
It was enjoyed to the utmost. Every note rang clear and pure and each
stanza was applauded in a most hearty manner. This was especially true
of her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in which the enthusiasm
was unbounded." The effect of the song was heightened by the giving of
the ceremony of retreat at sunset which is carried out in every camp
and garrison of the army of the United States. The ceremony was
conducted by members of Co. A, Fifth Infantry, N.G.C., under the
charge of Sergeant Breveton and were as follows: Sergeant A. H. Jones,
Sergeant H.B. Ongerth, Musician J.W. Stock, Musician E.J. Dow,
Privates Elmer Marsh, F. Keegan, J.C. Bowden, R.L. Nichols, H.B.
Loveridge, H. Bond, R. Trethaway.
In a letter to the editor of the Enquirer John Aubrey Jones said:
"What an inspiration it was to see and hear Mrs. Blake-Alverson sing.
Physically infirm, but vocally strong and pregnant, her pure, limpid
birdlike notes thrilled and stirred the soul and tears to the eyes did
unbidden come. It was eloquence sublime set to the all-subdivining
rhythmical harmony of divine music, rendered by a master whose spirit
was enwrapped. The writer felt an uplift in patriotic fervor that was
a joyous inspiration and so doubtless did all whose privilege it was
to hear and see Mrs. Blake-Alverson sing."
The Oakland Tribune said: "The singing of the Star Spangled Banner by
Mrs. Blake Alverson and the oration delivered by Rev. Charles R. Brown
proved the chief features of the Fourth of July celebration held in
the Macdonough theater yesterday morning. Judge E.M. Gibson presided.
Prayer was by Rabbi M. Friedlander. A chorus from Faust by
seventy-five singers followed. The Declaration of Independence was
read by Attorney Peter J. Crosby. Next Mrs. Blake-Alverson stepped
forward upon the stage and reached the flag-draped table surrounded by
twenty-five uniformed soldiers, who separated in the center to allow
her to approach, then closed as she passed, amid applause which was
deafening, and she could do nothing but bow her acknowledgment to the
audience. As she sang Vive l'America, in spite of her years, her
voice rang out pure and clear. Again and again she was forced to
respond to encores and when Judge Gibson finally led her off the stage
she was repeatedly cheered."
I do not think I would have done quite so well had it not been for an
incident that happened as I stepped upon the stage. When I saw the
immense crowd my heart gave one throb and I thought I had made a
mistake coming there at my age to sing. Like an electric flash I took
in the situation and said within me, "Dear Lord, help me once more,"
and in answering to the repeated cheers I glanced downward to the men
in the orchestra and to my surprise saw their looks of sarcasm as if
to say, "What can that old woman do?" In one instant my patriotic
spirit was roused within me and I gave them a look of defiance and
said within myself, "I'll show you boys what she can do," and nodded
to the pianist to begin. It took just one line of Vive l'America to
make them sit up and take notice. Every eye was turned upon me, the
leader sat back in his chair and folded his arms and never moved only
to applaud with all the rest between each stanza and continued to do
so until the song was completed, and then I received a rally from all,
tributes of flowers and tri-colored ribbons floating in graceful loops
from them. I responded with Annie Laurie, and the perfect attention
with which it was received was most affecting, and I was fully repaid
for my efforts, old as I was. I had won the battle nobly and to the
people of Oakland I give my heartfelt thankfulness for their
appreciation of my efforts to please them in legitimate song and show
my loyalty. More honors awaited me at the close of the exercises. As I
stepped from my dressing room there awaited me many prominent men and
women who came back of the stage to greet me and take my hand. Among
them were Rabbi Friedlander, Major Sherman, Alfred Wilkie, Judge
Gibson, Rev. Dr. Brown, members of the different committees, unknown
to me. About thirty minutes later, when I left for my carriage, I
found to my surprise that the sidewalk in front of the theater was
crowded with men, women and children, awaiting my coming. It was with
difficulty that I reached my carriage. I must needs take the hands of
these well-pleased people who wished to thank me. Through the efforts
of Mr. John T. Bell I entered the carriage and was driven to the Hotel
Touraine, where a banquet had been prepared. When I arrived the
committee and members of the chorus were seated at the tables. I was
escorted to the table at the end of the hall, decorated with
blossoms, flags and streamers and twelve uniformed soldiers standing
guard. During the banquet the band played patriotic airs and afterward
there were short speeches by prominent men. At the close of the
banquet the master of ceremonies asked the assemblage to rise and give
a tribute of three cheers for Mrs. Blake-Alverson, the patriotic
singer of Oakland. This was given with a will and the band played
America in which we all joined. With this song the celebration was
over and my career as a public singer for sixty-five years for the
people of California in the Golden State by the Golden Gate of the Far
West, the grandest state of all the galaxy of states, was ended.
[Illustration: ENVELOPES OF PATRIOTIC DESIGN USED DURING THE CIVIL
WAR, 1861
CO. K, 7th CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS, CAPT. O.P. SLOAT, FROM SAN
BERNARDINO