The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-09-11

quit:
1T it had not been for the Catho-
lie Fathers, Texas would never have
been what it is today. Long before
the founding of some of the other
denominations of ChFistendom, the
Catholic Fathers blazed the way and
established Christianity in Texas.
The greatest figure in the history of
our State is the Catholic priest in his
simplicity" Gov Colquitt of Texas
at the Sacerdotal Jubilee of the Rt
Rev. Bishop Shawl
One of the disgusting features of
the political history today is the
cheap advertising Rome gets from
some of the leading politicians,
type of which appears above.
Governor Colquitt, so far as my
personal knowledge of him goes, as
an individual and citizen, does not
come within the purview of person
al criticism. But as a public official
he should guard himself against
such statements as appear above, for
such, in the light in which they ap-
pear before the public eye, give hon
or to whom honor is not due.
That the San Franciscan Fathers
were first to plant the banners of
foreign religion" on Texas soil, no
student Of history will deny. But
that such was the making of Texas,
l do emphatically deny and chal-
lenge the proof.
One Of the greatest ambitions of
Spain, when entering new country,
was to make converts to her King,
and win them to the Catholic Church.
This was her purpt Sc in establishing
missions in Texas. The first mis-
sion established was that Of San
Francisco de los Tejas," by Father
MasSanet" in the year 1890, at, as
some think. the Nabedache village
near San Pedro Creek in Houston
county. But the mission was fail
ure, the "drouth ruined their crops"
and the 'sayages lost faith in the
Cod Of the pale face and rebelled,
and went back into their old wander
ing life" The "soldiers were harsh
and cruel to the Indians, and they
grew to hate the bold Europeans who
claimed to be masters of everything
on land and sea. In 1893, the priests,
at the command of the Spanish gov
eminent, abandoned the missions; in
the hours of night they buried their
bells and other property they could
not take with them, and sadly re-
turned to Mexico"
SO much for the first effort Of the
"holy Fathers in making Texas what
it is today!
In I'LL, after FRA Francisco
Hidalgo," had failed to Interest the
Spanish authorities in rebuilding the
abandoned mission and establishing
new ones" che wrote Governor Ca
dilac acking his Gid' to help him to
Establish missions among the TEXAS
and other Indians" promising him,
it is believed, Ito aid the French in
building up trade in Texas" for
his assistance in the mission work.
In 1716, the "San Francisco mission
was re-established and five other
missions were founded. Saint Den
is" went with the Spanish expedition
as "salaried officer, though he was
still secretly corresponding with the
French Governor His course" says
the historian, sis not clear; we fear
that he sacrificed patriotism to love
of gain" Yet, our Governor is
quoted as saying, THE greatest fig-
ure in the history of our State is the
Catholic priest in his simplicity"
The history of Austin, Dewitt, Ed
ward, Archer, Travis, Johnson, Whar-
ton, Miller, Houston, Burnot, Bowie,
Fannin, Bur.eson, Milan, Crockett
and scores Of others fade into insig-
nificance before the eyes of our Gov
ernor, while engaged in attributing
honor to whom honor is not due!