Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1905-02-28
CAPITOL RINGS With
ECHOES OF LONG
DEPARTED DAYS


imaginative person nothing is more
fascinating than the speculation of all
that may have been in the ages that
are dead. Not only sincere students of
history, but those having a relish for
the curious and the unusual, missed
much in not attending the public meet
ing held by the New Mexico Historic
al Society in the hall of Representa-
tives at the Capitol last evening. To
those who realize their great loss in not
having heard the two superb address
es of this occasion it will be some
consolation to learn that the society
will hold another of its deeply inter-
esting public meetings in the same
chamber on Monday evening Of next
week Speakers of prominence will
entertain and some of the rare old
documents in possession of the society
will then be on exhibit. Those inter-
ested in such things who do not go,
will fail to embrace an exceptional op-
portunity.
Like a vision of an age and race
that are no more, or a succession OF
races and of ages numberless, were the
glimpses of the past brought strlk-
ingly forward in the addresses of
Judge A. J. Abbott, United States at
torney for the Pueblo Indians of New
Mexico, and of Professor w. G. Tight,
president of the University of New
Mexico at Albuquerque.
Society's New Treasures.
Before the set speeches were deliv-
cred, Ex-Governor l.. Bradford Prince,
president of the society, gave a brief
and most refreshing account of the
sccietys invaluable acquisitions of the
past two years. To those not intimate
ly acquainted with the work, it's pro-
gress as thus presented was revela-
ton. Indeed, many present had not
suspected that there existed papers OF
such historical value as have only re-
Gently come into the society's safe
keeping. "You may be sure" said ex-
Governor Prince in confidence that
was charmingly inclusive, that once
those treasures are ours they will new
er go to Washington or anywhere else 3"
1t was with especial pride that eX-
Governor Prince pointed to the large
and choice collection of pottery which
the society now has. 1t is inclusive OF
many prehistoric pieces of recent ex-
cavation. Ex-Governor Prince ex-
planned that the society. under the
large handicap sustained in having
much less space than it needs, is un-
able at present to make any adequate
arrangement of these and other valued
exhibits. AS a matter of fact, the So
ciety's collection of Pueblo
pottery is second in all
the world, only to that of the Ma
tional Museum in Washington. 1t is
the hope of the members of the society
soon to find themselves in a position
to make a methodical display of all
of the rich trophies, which by great
zeal they have snatched from the tomb
of time.
OF the acquisitions which were
briefly mentioned none proved of larg-
er interest than the papers of Donaci.
ano Vigil, which the society only re-
Gently secured and which date back to
June %, 1847. ~ at -.-
To mention the many important OBJ
jects reviewed by Ex-Governor Prince
would at this time be impossible. His
familiarity with the facts touching
every epoch of New Mexico's history
makes him the most charming of mar
rators. He does not give one the cold
pickings of statistics, but instead the
most delightful Of romances surround
ed with the effulgent glow of all the
color of the radiant west.
Judge Abbott'e Address.
Ex-Governor Prince was paid the
highest of merited compliments by
Judge A. J. Abbott in the latter's
charming lecture upon "The Pueblo
Indian as a Citizen" In part Judge
Abbott said:
"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentle
men-The Territory of New Mexico
and the members of the Historical So
ciety of New Mexico have reason to
congratulate themselves upon the
fact that they have man at the head
of this society who is always alert to
the interests of New Mexico, SO far as
history is concerned and especially
upon the subject of our early history.
| do not suppose that there is another
man in the Territory, who Is as well
acquainted today with the history OF
New Mexico and, say 1t in the great.
est respect for Governor Prince, that
this has been more fully established
since the death of the late lamented
Colonel ]. Francisco Chaves, who
knew personally SO much about the
history Of our Territory. In obtaining
possession of the valuable papers
which he has just explained to you
Ex-Governor Prince shows the interest
he has manifested in keeping these
matters before the people. These doc
uments refer to matters that have tax
en- place since the white man invaded
this Territory, since the pale-faced
people Of Europe came here, but that
I saw. Ia not the most interesting period