ELDORADO 191 



their principles. In the face of this great moral fact 

 California society presents a most striking instance 

 of the superiority of man's moral and religious senti- 

 ment, without parallel in the history of our own or any 

 other country. Far away on a lonely shore, to which 

 all men of all races and tribes fled like birds of prey 

 to their quarry, there has been established a state 

 founded on justice, freedom and truth. The people 

 of California are inclined to attach less importance 

 to accurately formulated religion, and trust more to 

 the great primary principles of manhood, honor, jus- 

 tice and kindness according to common sense, right, 

 reason and simple truth." 



The call of sufifering humanity has found a gen- 

 erous response through legislative bodies, and per- 

 haps no state in the Union has so many benevolent 

 institutions as has California in proportion to her pop- 

 ulation ; and vet taxation is not burdensome, and the 

 management of these public and charitable institutions 

 show an intelligence and wise economy of which the 

 state may feel proud. He would not be far from the 

 truth to say that nearly every adult male citizen be- 

 longs to one or more secret orders, clubs or societies, 

 many of which also admit women to their ranks. 

 These are non-political and non-sectarian — devoted to 

 fraternity and charitv. Many of them embody life 

 insurance as part of their objects. Their teachings 

 are chiefly based upon the Bible and traditions of sac- 

 red history. There can be no doubt but that they 

 exert a helpful influence upon society. 



T have briefly referred in my narrative to the de- 

 votion, patience and fortitude of woman under the 

 most adverse and trying circumstances on the plains 



