Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-03-02

hho $3.50 Anniversary OF santa Fc,
NOW MeXiCO.

There will be great national celebration
at Santa Fc, New Mexico, during the month
OF July, c)mmemm rating the 333d annlvcr-
sary OF the settlement Of the oldest town in
the United States. In the thirteen original
States jamestown was the oldest settlement
(lGOO; when Florida was acquired
from Spain, st. Augustine founded in
1860 became tn, most ancient, and in 1916,
by the conquest of New Mexico, we came
into possession of Santa Fc, which could
boast of an antiquity considerably greater
than any other.
The whole month of July will be devoted to
the celebration, that time being selected both
because 1t is the most convenient period for
business men and tourists from the East to
attend, and also because the weather OF
New Mexico at that season is absolutely
perfect, each day being clear and bright,
while the high altitude makes the tempcra-
ture cool and delightful. II is proposed to
have two great exhibitions in permanent
buildings, continuing throughout the celcbra-
tion-one of historical relics and curosities,
and the otler OF the mineral aud other pre-
ducions of the Territory.
No part of the United States presents
way compare with that of New Mexico.
Here were the cliff-dwellcrs, and the cave
| cities; here came Cabeza dc Baca Oh his
wonderful journey across the continent in
| 1881, and Coronado on his expedition to the
famed LAND of the seven cities" in 1541. 1t
speaks volumes for the heroism and proves
OF the early Spanish conquerors that within
twenty years after Cortez had taken posses.
sion OF Mexico, Spanish expedition had
penetrated through the whole of New Mex
leo to the great buffalo plains, distance of
| 1,SO0, miles while it took the English settlers
on the Atlantic seaboard more than a century
to reach the valley of the Mississippi.
New Mexico to-day presents the extraordi-
nary spectacle of three entirely distinct
civilizations, representing different epochs in
the worlds history, living and flour:shing
side by side. The Pueblo Indians present
| the aboriginal civilization exactly rs Cabeza
dc Baca found it $50 years ago. They repre-
sent the oldest type of American civilization
| OF which we have certain knowledge Then
the Spanish population which for 200 years
was practically isolated from the rest of the
| world, presents in a Chrystalized form the
customs of the seventeenth century in the
last part OF the nineteenth, And side by
side with these is the active, energetic,
bustling American civilization OF to-day
building railroads and watcrw orks, gasworks,
tclegraphs and telephones, and making the
country hum with new industries.
In the Historical Hall will be collected
quantities of the old Aztec curiositcs, aud
the implements, arms and ornaments of the
stone age. With these will be the relics of
the early Spanish conquerors loaned by their
present owners; and Of the first pioneers of
the Santa Fc trail and the American occupa-
ton.
In the Mineral and Industrial Hall will be
full collection of the ores and minerals of
the Territory, with an exhibition of asricul-
tural and horticultural products.
The intention is also TO have about three
times week special attractions of:different
kinds Thus the celebration will be opened
with imposing ceremonies, and a historic
address by n celebrated orator. On one day
there will he a grand pageant representing
the coming of the Spanish conquerors, in
which many hundred Spaniards and Indians
will take part. The Pueblo Indians from
Zuni Taos, Santa Domingo, Laguna, San
Juan, etc, will have days devoted to them,
when they will appear in their characteristic
games and dances There will be grand
military parade Vt another time. A day or
two will be devoted to display OF the cattle
and the sheep of the Territory. A time will
be set apart for an excursion to the nearest
of the towns Of cave dwellings, etc, The in.
tcniOn is to have succession of entertain
ments extending through the entire month,
and presenting continual variety. The
rate of fare will be made very low. The COM
mittee hope to get an excursion rate OF only
$50 from New York to Santa Fe and return.