CALIFORNIA 
327 
be not less than 35 degrees at midsummer. On the inland side 
of the Coast range, as in the Santa Clara valley, for instance, the 
heat of the summer is greater by several degrees than on the 
ocean side. The ocean, the Coast range, the great interior val- 
leys, and the vast Sierra will account for many of these varia- 
tions of climate. A well-known author has written a book about 
“ Our Italy ” in southern California. Where there are all the 
climates of Italy and Spain, the resident onl}^ encounters the 
perplexity of choice. There are also the same variations of 
moisture, ranging for a }'ear from 8 inches of rainfall up to 60 
inches, according to the geographical situation which one may- 
choose, and these extremes within the limit of 200 miles. 
And better than mountain and valley, and all that goes to 
make a picturesque state, is that system of public education 
which is giving instruction to more than two hundred thousand 
}’’outh, and is crowned by two great universities with doors freely 
opened to every youth who is qualified to enter. California was 
admitted to the Union after a long and eventful struggle. Her 
constitution, framed by men from the North and the South, dedi- 
cated the land to freedom. The pioneers had staked their all 
for law and order as the very corner-stone of an enduring state. 
Isolated by nearly two thousand miles from the great family of 
states, the very Stars and Stripes that Avaved over them gave 
them a passionate longing for recognition. When the neAvs of 
admission came, a tumultuous shout Avent up to the heavens 
amid jubilant songs and tears. The pioneers Avho embraced 
that day kneAV no country hut the Union ; nor have they knoAvn 
any other since tliat day. For forty-five years they have cele- 
brated the anniversary of admission, accentuating it as no other 
state has done. They haA'e stamped it as a legal holiday — the 
one day of jubilee AA'herein love of a particular state takes the 
higher interpretation of love for the Union. A generation horn 
on the soil rejoices in the designation of “ Native Sons ” as tlie 
richest birthright and lieritage that any land can give. 
This is California, the Keystone state in the great Empire tliat 
is looming up on the Pacific. 
