Ode Conveiition-al. 145 



this state, that this was the best. We have continually said this is surely best; 

 but I said wait, you have not seen Riverside yet. I knew what was here— I 

 knew how a great desert had been changed. The best has come out at the 

 end, just as I anticipated it would. I am glad we are here. Some wondered 

 why we came here last. But we do not regret it, and you will not be sorry. 

 Thanking you for this hearty welcome, I will express the hope that the work 

 you are doing may greatly prosper, and that you are just in the beginning of 

 an age of prosperity not known anywhere in the world. 



At the conclusion of the President's response, the following or- 

 iginal poem was read : 



ODE CONVENTION-AL. 



BY J. E. CUTTER, OP RIVERSIDE. 



What strange invasion pours adown the glen ? 

 And whence svich troops of frozen-bearded men? 

 Say, watchman, ho ! way up in the Cajon ! 

 Who may they be, and whither are they bourne ? 



"Seven days and nights they've fled the blizzard's wrath. 

 And west-sou'west have held their hopeful path. 

 So far they came, it seemed too like a sin 

 To bar the pass, and so I let them in." 



Right worthy watchman, these our luck shall share. 

 But keep old Zero t'other side with care ! 

 So, friends, you're welcome — each to what may suit. 

 Now doff your furs and have a litle fruit. 



Old Bacchus, wiser than our modern day, 

 Hand-squeezed his grapes and sucked the juice away ; 

 Nor still, nor saccharometer had he, 

 And never got his wine by chemistry. 



But Bacchus' bowl and chemists' fizzing tun 

 Have here no place. Beneath the kindly sun, 

 In sweet profusion down the laced lines. 

 We dry the fruitage of the sheeny vines. 



The orange? Yes, it rules the vale no doubt. 



Just cut transverse and turn it inside out. 



The cost, you'd know ? You've nothing, gents, to pay ; 



Put in your bills and taste— there, that's the way ! 



Mr. Smith, of Wisconsin, from the Committee on Finance, made 

 the following report, which was adopted : 



