The San Francisco call., 1905-04-24
DOL ORES OBJECT
LESSON IN HISTORY
Clubwomen Unite With Landmarks League
in Effort to Have Church Open.
PETITION IS TO BE SOON PRESENTED
BY LAURA BRIDE POWERS.

Quite the most vital issue now before
the clubwomen of the city-those inter-
ested in live issues-is the opening Of
Mission Dolores to the people.
That Father Brennan, the venerable
pastor of the old mission, will accede
to the request Of the Landmarks
League, supported by the California
Promotion Committee, the California
Club, the Daughters of California Pio-
neers and the Outdoor Art League, is
fully believed, when ample assurance is
given him that the beloved sanctuary
will be properly sentineled and safe
guarded from vandals.
This will be assured him by the
Landmarks League, which will assume
the payment Of competent caretaker
of the old church. Funds for this pur-
pose are now offered the league, Frank
J. Sullivan leading with proffered do
nation of $100-this without solicitation.
That's patriotism.
During the last two years funds have
been collected by Miss Nora Fennell
for the purpose of restoring the inte-
rior of the church, and disbursed by
her seemingly to excellent purposes
for the work done has been done intel
ligently and artistically, much of 1t by
her brother. c. E. Fennell.
The work of restoration will in no
way be interfered with by the opening
up of the church-which ethically is
the possession of all San Francisco.
was nurtured and from which it has
derived it's beautiful name-from St.
Francis de Assist. the Good.
Likewise will all due credit be given
TO those good people who are working
for the restoration OF the mission
there seeming to be lurking suspicion
that the Landmarks League is seeking
credit that stupidest of all motives
in the pursuit of public work. Nay!
Nay
The Landmarks League is in busi-
ness solely and only to safeguard and
give publicity TO landmarks, and it
doesn't care a fig who gets the credit,
so long as the end is accomplished.
The league wants the mission open
at certain periods of the day-and
every day-as are all the other mis-
sions in the State. The details of the
opening are of small importance-free
access being the one thing sought.
1t wants the mission open, so tour
lists may visit the spot where Francisco
Palou planted the cross in 1875.
1t wants it open SO that the school,
children may visit it and learn there
from the history of their city and of
Inelr SIdle-Inucn Oh WHICH StTInlIldt-
ed in this hallowed spot.
1t is one of the criminal omissions
of our school course that the history
of San Francisco and of California
the latter the most fascinating history
in America-has, until the last few
years, been passed over as a thing of
small import.
Just now a great cry is sweeping
over the country about civic duty.
Now, the basis of civic duty is civic
pride; the basis of civic pride is pride
of history-of ancestry. Therefore, If
we hope to incubate in our children d
sense of civic duty. let us implant in
them a civic pride by teaching them
the history of their city and their
State.
And as an object lesson. Mission
Dolores must be open-it speaks to
the imagination of children's minds.
They people 1t again with neophytes
at prayer; they plant the patio with
palms and pomegranates; they see the
brown-robed friars among their chill
dren, preaching and teaching. All this
is history and poetry, both of which
are paths to civic virtue.
Therefore it is hoped that when
Congressman Joseph r. Knowland,
president of the Landmarks League.
presents his petition to Father Bren-
nan during the week 1t will be readily