Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

NATIVE SONS AND DAUGHTERS AND THE

SEMI-CENTENNIAL

BY E. D. WARD

IN THE Order known as THE NATIVE SONS OF THE GOLDEN WEST, California has a very notable organization, characterized by young blood, state pride, boundless enthusiasm, and a vigor of thought and purpose which both illustrates the energetic spirit and serves the honor of the lusty young commonwealth that fronts the Sunset Sea.

It was as early as 1869 that General Winn, who was Grand Marshal of the Fourth of July parade in San Francisco that year, conceived the idea that the native lads should participate in the demonstrations of that occasion, and that they should at once effect some form of permanent organization. But California had then enjoyed only nineteen years of statehood, and the native sons of a suitable age were only a handful, and the project was dropped. Even in 1875 the Great Register of San Francisco showed the enrollment of only 295 persons of native birth; and in that year, in connection again with prepa

The City Hall Dome Was Brilliant

rations for the Fourth of July celebration, a call was issued to the native sons of the city to assemble for the purpose of organization. They participated in the parade which celebrated the birth of the Republic, their procession being headed by an old stuffed bear decked in the national colors -the red, white, and blue. A few days later, July 11, 1875, constitution and bylaws were adopted and officers elected for the permanent organization.

The young society adopted an annual programme of parades for Washington's Birthday, the Fourth of July, and Admission Day, and forthwith appeared as an organization in the streets of the city on September 9th of that same year since which time they have not failed to participate in the parades of that anniversary.

The success of this original society soon stirred up the enthusiasm of young Californians elsewhere, and branch parlors were formed, Oakland taking the lead, in December, 1877, followed by Sacramento, in March, 1878. In September of the latter year the Grand Parlor was instituted, and since that date the order has grown rapidly, issuing 208 charters, and having now a membership of 15,000. The passing of time has brought it about that the children of those who founded the order. and grandchildren of the Pioneers, are being received into membership and appear even in its roll of officers.

It was in connection with the parade of September 9, 1875, mentioned above, that the Native Daughters were first heard from in the presentation of a flag for the Sons to salute, and thenceforth carry as the expression of their spirit. But it was not until September 11, 1886, that the young women of California birth, and residing at Jackson, Amador County, organized themselves into Ursula Parlor, No. 1, Native Daughters of the Golden West. This order has also grown rapidly, numbering at present nearly 4,000 members. Their Grand President, Mrs. Emma Gett. states the object of the order to be "the

[graphic]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »