The San Francisco call., 1908-11-29

COME few months ago a little group
Of women met at the home of one
OF their number in Hayward. One
was OF Danish descent, one Of Ger
man. another OF Irish. and all had an
cestors belonging to either the colonial.
immigration or pioneer periods Of
American history. They were met to
discuss the possibility OF the .consum-
nation of a certain project which had
originated in the mind OF the leader OF
the group and the earnest attention
given her as she unfolded the details
OF the scheme augured well for the
success of the undertaking. This plan
IS the revival and restoration of the
old home spirit which dominated Cali
fOrnia in early days. by means of a
public symbol Of the home, this symbol
TO be three statues Of three mothers
the colonial mother, the immigrant
mother and the pioneer mother-which
shall stand in three cities of America
and speak mutely but eloquentIy Of
days when men and women alike not
only died for their firesides but lived
for them. The statues will tell of that
highest and holiest OF human emotions:
that Of love for and belief in the moth
ers who braved the awful terrors of
war, OF long and stormy voyages and
OF Indian massacres on the plains, in
order that the integrity Of the home
founded in a new land might be pre-
served, and their children reared in
safety within the sanctity Of its walls.
Mrs. Phillip Merrill Mighels is the
protector Of these ideas and in her
hands the plan is being carefully
worked out. Appeals have been made
10 the Colonial Daughters and to the
Daughters Of the Revolution in the east.
and on the 9Th of this month Mrs.
rNighels will address a Iarge gathering
Of the Daughters of the Pioneers at
Pioneer hall On November II the Ma
tive Sons Of Hayward viii hold an
open meeting at which Mrs Mighels
viii speak, and assistance from these
four bodies has already been freely
promised. The Massachusetts Daughters
Of the Revolution are tremendously in
terested, as one Of the proposed statues
that Of the colonial mOther-is to be
placed in Boston harbor and will prob
ably be the work of Daniel Chester
French, the eminent sculptor who
makes his home in Glendale, Mass. The
conception OF a fitting figure for the
Immigrant mother has been left to Gut
zon Borglum of New York, whose own
mother bore him in Nevada after having
crossed the Atlantic ocean and the
plains from her far distant home in
Norway, and the completed figure is to
eccupy conspicuous site in New York
harbor. where the great tides of immi-
grants flowing through her gates may
see II the instant Of their landing.
These two sculptors, whose names are
known by all art lovers. have expressed
themselves as deeply in sympathy with
this idea and as willing 10 bend serious
efforts toward the production Of figures
that shall embody dignity sweetness
and reserve. Designs for the statue of
the pioneer mother, which Is TO stand In
this city have already been submitted
hv Douglas Tilden, the main idea being
10 have the noble figure OF woman
dauntless and capable. with her chill
dren gathered at her feet AS the pio-
neer families were generally large, II
has been suggested that twelve or four
teen child figures would not be toe
many: but this has been left open for
consideration. That such a statue
would dignity and beautify the new San
Francisco there seems no doubt. The
promoters Of the plan have a slogan
which came from the mouth OF one
Annie Donnelly. an Irish woman living
on the other side OF the bay. When
told the story Of the immigrant mother
and Of the proposed statue she rested
her hands on her hips and inquired: rs
h.here anything a body can do to help2'
f"WeIl." said Mrs. Mighels, were not
asking much but anybody who wants
can give a quarter" Then" said An
ME DonneIly, fumblir-5 In her bosom
and bringing out a knotted handker-
chief with her money tied in it, there's
me quarter an may ! live TO put me
hand on it." These words may go down
10 history as the slogan OF the pioneer
naether's statue. The following song