Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-08-20
foh V'ohfRhsiphN' "f '"h "H'''p ''A'H'
THOS. a. HENDRlCkS,
r. r. DEL VALE,
A Memorable Occasion.
roa cosoarss. slxrn Dsrucr.
Of Los Angeles.

From timo to time attention has been
called by the press Of California to the
approaching centenary Of the death of
tho Reverend Father Junipero Sierra. A
great and universal interest Is being
taken in this most memorable event by
Cnliforniens Of all creeds AMI races; and,
undoubtedly, an unprecedented con-
course Of people will gather in the ex-
quisite valley Of Carmel, the seat of his
deeply beloved mission, on the 2Sth
inst, the date which will complete the
hundredth anniversary of the dc ith OF
q sanity man and a conspicuous public
benefactor. For some months past Fa-
ther Casanova has been engaged In the
work OF restoring tho old Carmel Mis-
sion, aud II will be in state which will
recall something of its pristine glories
when the sun rises, from amongst the SUI
perb pines and cypres with which its
approaches and surroundings are gracod,
on tne uhte nnncu.
There are few more attractive regions
On Tho American continent than Mon
terey. Favored by nature in the config-
urntion Of the country, in the spon'a-
niety and beauty Of the vegetation, tree
and flora, which abound on every hand,
and flanked by the majestic Pacific. the
lavish outlays of the managers of the
Central Pacific Railway have converted
spot naturally beautiful into a perfect
fairy land. The Hotel dol Monte may
seem nn innovation upon the serenity
and cloistercd repose of this historical
spot, but 1t gives to notably romantic
region gayety and brillancy which re-
call the most vaunted watering places IN
the East. In fact, by their unstinted
expenditures. these gentlemen have
made Monterey the Newport of the Pa
cifc Coast.
Thus we may look for an extraordin.
AIRY convocation of both the grave and
gay at the Carmel Valley, which is but
few miles distant from the Hotel del
Monte, on the approaching anniversary.
The old convent Of Father Sierra will be
reached over the most perfect roads on
the American Continent--roads which
have been hewn through the solid forest
md which traverse the only grove Of cy-
pres known to exist in the United
I States. 1t is understood that Governor
Stonenan will proclaim holiday for
the 2Sth, thus enabling multitudes to
participate In the solemn anniversary
services who otherwise could not be
present. 1t is also believed that
the Railway people will announce
schedule of special fares which will be
highly satisfactory to those contemplate
ing visit to this storied spot.
After all, the real flavor and signiii.
cance OF the history of California at
taches in great measure to these Mis-
sions. The narratives of the Argonauts
are too recent and perhaps too mercen-
ary to admit of much poetical associa-
tion as to them. The eager quest after
gold is not of itself, divested of the
charming fictions of classic story,
enough to excite much interest amongst
the less prosaic portion of mankind. 1t
is well for the present aud future of Cal
ifornia that her history is rich in adven-
lures and in heroic careers whose impell-
ing motives have to be sought in sub
limated self-abnegation which recalls
the finest chapters OF sacrifice and disin-
terestedness with which the history OF
the world has been enriched. To
Father Sierra and his coadjutors and
their disciples we must resort for the
heroic episodes of our history. Their
work was begotten of God.like charity
md they looked for their reward beyond
earth. The cupidity and violence of a
later era required some such noble con-
trast to reconcile generous spirits to the
grosser aspects of California life.
By all means let Father Serra's ami
versary be celebrated with pomp and
circumstance, and let all Caliiornians,
whether native born or adopted, unite
to do honor to this man, fashioned after
Gods own heart, whose only mission
was to do good and to teach the rude
aborigine the ways of peace. In honor
ing Father Sierra Californiaus honor
themselves. We have no doubt but that
the telegraph on the night of the 2Sth
inst. will bring us intelligence that the
Carmel valley had that day echoed to
the tread of the largest and most distin-
guished assemblage ever gathered to-
gether in California to do honon to a
benefactor of his kind. More particu-
larly, let the dead evangelist's own
church, in her impressive and venerable
ritual, do honor to her sanity son, and
let all other denominations join in and
sympathize with a richly deserved trib.
ute which has been extorted by phe-
nomenally pure, unselfsh and heroic
career. All religions are honored in the
ovation eYteuda1 IN su cb "a man