The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14
By Fred P. Johnson

y AN tRANClSCOs Columbus, Cas-
par de Portola, is to come into
his own at the hands Of the city
whose rnatchless bay he diseoV-
ered. Not having been a prophet, but
a loyal soldier and subject Of the Span
ish crown, it was not his fate to be
without early honor IN his own coun-
try. but complete renown is often
tardy thing. and 1t required the lapse
Of over a century to add to his fame
the plaudits which the city by the
Golden gate IS preparing to bestow at
the Portola festival TO be held In oc-
tober. It VIII mark the one hundred
and fortieth anniversary Of his troub-
lous expedition from san Diego to san
Francisco bay, when. in search Of the
port Of Monterey. where he was sent
10 establish a Christian mission. his
progress led him instead to the harbor
Of a future commercial metropolis.
A renewed appreciation Of this won
derful port, a realization that If al
rnost everything else in the way Of
visible wealth were taken from her oy
sudden disaster, the city would Sun
he rich with her world harbor, has
caused san Francisco TO look backward
over a centurys span and contemplate
+re meaning OF Portola's discovery. II
-be explorer could not appreciate the
wealth which his find might have then
sHorded Spain, still less could his
vaccination present TO him the picture
of q future empire rising among the
end hills upon which he campeo with
1,fs. soldiers and followers OF the Fran
0fscan cross. Each succeeding period
81 the city's growth since the discoV-
erv has made the deed OF Porto4a loom
more largely upon. the pages OF her
5-se+o-v The era Of San Francisco
-.ebs~+f has. been chosen as the time Tor
s,s+st,,tinR an annual memorial DAY,
-, nrafse Of Portola shall be on
s,-e~-, tongue. Proud Spain will hear
,7,e sound Of rejoicing, and She TOO
VIII form q higher regard Ior her ao-
venturous subject c-.,t
r~be name of Portols, who was can
eo-,-fs,s s-st governor, is a. name which
-. av-erv native son and daughter can
e--e., -,ronounce. but IL IS soon TO De
..l-.--,s - familiar hereabouts as the
-,snoe ~ American explorers and plo-
-,,e~e 81 the western coast. AIthough
= Related recognition, the commemo-
rafive festival is not 10 be pAssihs
one. 1t is the plan Of its ofleinatois
Ia have II become as rex lAeA on 80
- the celebration Of the states ao-
mission. For nearly week pegin-
ming october 19 next, after the fertlle
hills and valleys OF California nave
WELDED their harvest bounty, and san
francisco has become reconciled TO a
momentary pause in the work OF re-
building. the city viii entertain all VINO
seek 10Y within her gates at fete
rivaling the mardi gras Of New Orleans
on the veiled prophets spectacle OF 81
Louis
Were the shade Of Portola enabled to
peer once more over the sandhills OF
the peninsula during the days or the
festival his surprise would be lar
greater than when he gazed for the
nrst time upon the shining waters OF
the bay. In a monumental city grow
ing skyward from ashy wastes. he
would view masquerading troops or
gavly robed senoritas. escorted by
eourtIy Spanish dandies. In the same
foreign setting he would be able to
witness a buzz fight, his countrys own
institution But he would get his
greatest shock from an encounter with
his double. Gaspar de Portolas duke OF
Ia Golden gate, lord OF the peninsula