Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-28
From the Pacific Coast.
The Ancient Spanish Missions of Cali
fOrniR-The Indian QuestiOn-Brea De-
pOsits-SaIt Works.
lcoRREsroNDENcR OF rHE DAILY spr.I

OF the early missions founded on this coast by
the semi Roman Catholic government of Spain,
about century ago. Since writing it, friend
son of one of the secretaries to the various
missions, has shown me transcript of some OF
the records-preseDting in clear and concise
form the subs lance of their labors in a manner
SO interesting that it may be worthy of publca-
ton.
These missions were the first civilization of
this country-that made its general character
known to the world, and founded the first socie-
ty in the wilds of California. They have given
a name to the state, the names of most of the
counties; those of their chief cities and towns;
their rivers, mountains and lakes carry one
back, by their un-American titles, to the days
when the long-robed "padres," or priests, were
the real governors of the country, made its laws
and regulated its customs. San Francisco itself
was the seat of the mission Saint Francis whose
adobe church and out-buildings were the only
structures there for over half century; where
now are 100000 people in active business. San
| Diego, the most southern settlement in the
state, was the first one founded, in 1859
Then came, in rapid procession, in following
years, San Luis Rey Santa Barbara, etc, all the was
up the ocean line to the most northern one, called
San Francisco, Sovano, above San Francisco,
founded August %, 1928. Nearly all were made
in the 18th century-only two were founded
after 1776. In about forty years some twenty
five were founded.
Their chief work was the civilizng, or Chris
tianizng the large Indian population. The
principal sign of conversion was baptism.
While they continued their work, more than
eghty-three thousand Indians were baptized,
and came under the immediate control of the
padres. There were twenty-five thousand mar
riages and sixty thousand deaths. Ia 1928,
there were, at all the Missions over IS 900 In
dams engaged in active employments, such as
the care of large herds of cattle, iocks of sheep
and bands of horses, and raising the various
crops necessary to the support of the entire pop
ulation. They were taught the simpler mechan-
ical emplOyments-brick and title making,
spinning and weaving the wooden fabrics worn
by them; some learned to read and write, and
nearly all to sing. The girls were all kept in
| separate converts until married. perhaps
Mrs Livermore can use this as an argument in
favor OF her fayorite eause.)
Contrasting American success with Spanish
in dealing with these children of the forest,
| these missions give instructive lessons The
\ padres had little trouble with them,
always living peaceably. There was no
| trouble, except occasional raids, by the
uncouYerted bands remaining in the mountains,
down to the missions, TO steal cattle and
horses. But their rei-skinned brothers at the
modern detective to catch the plundereFs and re
| store the properly. Their fifty years OF expert
encs with them was based on similar system
10 that announced zt Prescott, ArIEoaS. recent
Is, as the present and future policy OF President
Grant, w; 10 employ scents, teachers, mechan-
les, and sll other persons from the various re-
lgious denominations, and thus snieavor to Sc
cure men governed by principles Of humanity,
justice and philanthropy, not senumenIalists,
but men of an every day, practical righteous
ness.
Unless the Indians are already too much in
doctrnated by the ideas, teachings and exam
pie of dissolute and unprincipled white men, no
reason is obvious why the means used so sue
cessfully by halfenlightened Spain in the
eighteenth century cannot be by America in the
full noon of the nineteenth. Of course, all de-
ponds on whether the policy announced be-
comes, in good faith, the practice of the govern
ment and its employees. The field is large, tue
opposition and the difficulties strong and per-
sistent. To carry the theory of the administra-
ton into the wilds of these territories and states
is very different from announcing 1t In a speech
surrounded by sympathizing citizens, protected
by United States troops. But courage and sin
cerity will create revolution, which, if not at
tended by all the desirable results anticipated,
will certainly improve beyond estimate the pres
ent hazardous situation.
If time and opportunity served, it would be an
interesting and instructive subject to examine
in hts various details, the rise aud progress
of Spanish missions in western America. Much
that is grotesque, Pathetic and romantic exists
that would lend the charm of a superior novel
to well written history. But the occupation
of the country by the United States in 1916,
rapidly obhterated nearly all traces of the once
proud and successful conquest by the proselyt-
ing and practical government of Madrid.
Considering the age in which it was accom-
plished, the means aud implements at their
Il y
credit is due the early explorers that planted
| even the better phases of Spanish life among
the valleys and peaks of the Sierras. A few
descendants of the old padres and their CO.
workers remain, mostly of pure Castilan blood,
proud Of their ancestry and its deeds, and
clinging with strenuous pertinacity TO their
native language. Though English is the pre-
vailing language in business and is taught to the
exclusion Of Spanish in the schools, yet, among
themselves, they invariably converse in Span
ish, and prefer to talk it with others able to use
it. They are slower to give up the accompani-
ments of their nativity than any other nation.
ality under the stars and stripes. They seem to
think that California was made for them alone,
and no one else has any right here unless he
does as they do. But American settlers push
on their enterprises with little regard to the OPP
position. With marvellous swiftness they are
transforming the antiquated to the modern.
| Tropic heats nor almost continuous SHOWS do
not deter them, and by and by no memento of
the antique will remain, and thousands of hap
py homes will cover these rich lands, where the
almost countless herds of the padres and their
few companions roam at will.
| NO VlsltOr 10 Caln0fnla should omit an exam
nation Of this portion OF the state where alone
are left the landmarks and descendants of the
Castilian pioneers. He will see modes of life,
customs and social ways. existing nowhere else
upon the continent In early morning he will
beawakened by strong cup of coffee at his bed
side, and rising, aterward, to late break fast,
he will 90 through the day observing objects of
novel and unique interest in town and country.
The old Castilian is unusually frank and cordial
social and mrthful, delights in talking of the
1 days that arc gone, and the wonders and bean
ties Of this sunny and fertile land. He asks,
with wondering curiosity, of the great
cities of the east and wishes to
know, especially, If all Americans are
like the adventurous "hoodlams" that come as
| gold-seekers and fortune-hunters to disturb the
peace and prosperity of their homes. Some
| times when we listen to the stories of their
wrongs at the hands of these ruthless vagabonds
| that swarmed in here from the sluns of the
world, we do not wonder at their national pride
and their dislike of Americans. / have found