The morning call., 1892-09-29
LITERARY EXERCISES.
Del Val1e's Eloquent Tribute to CabrIll
and JuDipero Sierra.


Del yal1e's Eloquent Tribute to Cabrilio
and JuDipero Sierra.
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 2S.-This afternoons
exercises on the plaza began at 2:30 O'Clock.
1t had been originally intended to make
the concal canopy exclusively OF fevergreens
trained over cords, but 1t was seen two
days ago that too big contract had been
undertaken, and the committee promptly
decided TO fill the space with bands Of duck
which, being adorned at the borders with
national colors, did very well.
About 5000 persons were gathered within
the vast walless tent when the exercises
commenced. Governor Markham arrived
on special train at 1:30 and was loudly
cheered on taking his seat.
The invocation was uttered by Vicar
General Adam of the diocese of Los An
geles and Monterey, after which Mayor
Sherman of this city spoke few words of
welcome to the visitors and distinguished
guests and introduced Governor Markham.
The Governor spoke very briefly. He
referred in terms OF congratulatlon 10 the
growth aud development of San Diego since
Cabrilio's time. and more particularly in
the last five years, Notwithstanding many
setbacks and trials. He praised the citizens
for their public spirit and faith in the city,
which he ind0rsed. and he took the oppOr-
tunity of referring to the neglect of the CIV
ilized Indian by the Federal Government.
The American population, he declared,
owed the duty to them and ought to per-
form it.
Hon. Reginaldo H. Del Vale. the orator
OF the day, then spoke for nearly an hour.
The speech was entirely extempore, and
commanded rapt attention. Mr.. Del Vale,
in the course Of his remarks, traced up the
career IF the early explorers, beginning with
Columbus, and rapidly proceeded to the
special expedition with which the name of
Cabrllo is more particularly associated. In
the year 1912 Mendoza, the Vicer0y of Mex
leo. directed that two expeditions should be
sent from that country for the purpose of
further penetrating into the mysteries OF
the unknown territories. One OF these eX-
pedtiuns was under the leadership of Ara
I'm, and he not only explored the gulf. but
went up to the mouth of the Rio Colorado.
The other expedition was under the care
OF sailor who had rendered service to the
Spanish crown, not IN the capacity of an
explorer. but as modest sailor. His two
small vessels were neither of them exceed
ing seventy-fye tons burden. de voyaged
TO the spot now historic as Point Iona.
He discovered San Diego Bay In doing so
he rendered two great services to this coun-
try for he made it possible for it to become
part of nation endowed with the priu-
ciples OF liberty, and he gave that nation
harbor which has no equal In the world.
lie lOuUG, 10 use Tue Uedutll III bADEeSSlOU Ol
one of his chronicerS, 'vrginity in all its
conditions virgin soil and virgin
waters" He found people who had not
been touched by the hand Of civilization; /;
he found them walking about in the condi-
tion in which they were originally created
by their maker.
From this bay, which he called at the
time San Miguel Cabrillo went along the
coast, eneOunteTing many dangers Ii is
known that he touched at Ventura and saw
beautiful group of Islands, which he de-
scribed as the Jewels of the sea, Santa Cruz
Santa Rosa and San Miguel. 1t is known
that he went up to Point Conception and
Monterey, was stricken with sick ness aud
returned to San Miguel island to die.
From this point Mr. Del Vale proceeded
to the story of the foundations Of the mis-
sions by Father Junipero Sierra, who offered
his first humble prayer for their success in
sight of the bay of San Diego. The under
taking Of the humble trar in 1869 was to
establish along the coast of our State mis-
siOns which ought to perpetuate the glories
OF the cross. If to-day we examiGe the loca-
tiOnS where these missions were planted by
this humble servant of his Maker we must
say that he had prescience which cannot
be doubted, for a mission in every instance
Is located not only where it could do the
most good in Teclaimlng a savage people,
but on the most beautiful spot os land that
could be selected for the purpose.
Tie magnificent buildings which adorn
San Diego to-day are but a part Of the re-
suit OF the discovery of Caorillo and Of the
work Of the humble friar WHO planted on
these shores the means OF salvation and a
guide for the people who should come after
him.
After a rapid review of tie progress OF
liberty in the Eastern States while Sierra
and his colleagues were at work for the
faith In the West, the orator concluded with
the declaration that the progress Of repub-
- -. + :.
He pointed TO free France, to England, q
virtual republic. and to the chain of Ameri-
can republics extending from British Co.
lumbia to Cape Horn He bespoke the
sympathy and right hand OF fellowship for
the sister republic of Mexico, now working
cordially for the success of a celebration on
soil wrested from her. Finally he said:
LET MS not forget. in his lonely grave on
San Miguel Island, Cabrilo the explorer of
Alta California. Though no sound be heard
on his island resting place but the ceaseless
murmur of the waves, let us think of him as
one whose place has been marked by the
hand of the omnipotent in the eternal man
sions."
After Mr.. Del Vale had spoken, Rollen
L. Daggett, poet of the day. recited lengthy
original poem, of which the finale is here
given:
TO San Miguel they bore his wasted form,
AND there, with tears and simple ri es, they gave
His soul to God, bis stainless fame 10 man;
His shrouded body 10 tie shuntIng sand.
Hark list TO the wall down The centuries signing,
Like winter winds moaning through Shvering
fen.
A chant family caught from the touch of the
dying.
With prayers OF pale priee.s and the sobbing
OF men.
Still swell the wierd voices; the surges OF ocean
Troop soiemny BY While the masses are said I;
And hearts rent with anguish and manly emotion
Int0ne In sad whispers lhe dirge OF the dead.
o, lone was the isle where was left In the keep
ing
or wild wind and breakers this knight of the
wave;
| Though angels alone know the place OF his
sleeping,
| His fame will endure without tablet or grave.
Vicar General Adam concluded the after
| noon exercises with an address, in which he
| specially referred TO the growth OF Chris
| tianity in California under the auspices OF
| the Catholic Church.
| The Baltimore came in on the MONDAY
| tide. A boat race between picked crews OF
| the Baltimore and Charleston has been ar
| ranged for tomorrow.
] The police have had busy time all day
| since the parade in holding up COW boys with
| openly exhibited pistols and waist belts of
| OF cartridges on the streets. In most cases
| the cowboys have given proof Of a dispusi-
! tion to recognize law and order, but it may
| be different tonight. Twenty deputy po-
| licemen are on duty.
A HUNGRY MULTITUDE.
| San Diego Finds Herself Running Short
of Food Supplies.