The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-09
REAT SAN ANTONIO
EXPOSITION IN 1918

and Spanish history and eminent
architects are being consulted
There are no pages in American
history richer In romance than those
pa ges which tell OF the early develop
inent OF the Southwest, by the Fran
e1scan monks. who carried q sword IN
one hand and a Bible in the other,
and came flrst with Columbus and
planted the CROSS along with the flag
OF Spain.
The Franciscans were jealous In
their missionary work among the ma.
tives and when Spanish settlement
WAS made they. after founding their
mission work there. would expand
their field Of operations and establish
another mission dedicated to an
honored saint. This made what was
then good fertilization and protec-
ton from tribes of Indians hostile 10
the religious converts and gave the
means OF aafe religious and secular
instructions.
Because the climate around San
Antonio. then known Az the Valley Of
the Hearts Delight, was so similar to
the raild weather TO which they were
accustomed in Mexico, the friar's de-
termined 70 make San Antonio their
headquarters and soon more OF the
brot hers came up from Mexico. The
HIST mission was the Ammo OF NJ rs
sion San Antonio de Valero. which
because OF it's bath in the blood Of
patriotic Texans. has made a place for
itself in history and which on this
account Is in an excellent state Of
pre@e rvation today. But not SO at the
Missions San Jose Conception. San
Francisco and San Juan
2O0th Anniversary.
Cardinal Gibbons is pleased with the
idea OF celebrating tho two hundredth
anniversary of the coming Of the
Franciscan Fathers. the reconstruc-
ton Of the famous nonaste cries and
the honoring OF the memory of these
brave pioneers He has pledged the
active cooperation of the Catholic
Church and has promised the Tex
ans. that # HIS life Is spared and his
strength ia equol to the task, he Will
he in San Antonio in 1919
The exposition Of 1918 Will picture
the daring expeditions Of De %oto.
Onate. Coronado. Mendoza, Cabeza
and others into various portions OF the
trans Rio Grande It will portray the
planting Of the picturesque settle
ments composed of mission. preside
and village from the Rio Grande Val
dew through what are now New Mex
leo. Arizona and California to the Pa
tlifE ' OANt. Al Will III STtIil btlfS" ann
other phases of American history
that have been but little emphasized
in tho ordinary narratives OF the
schools.
The exposition will recall the work
ines Of mysterious power that
blinded Charles and Philip II to
the possibilities Of Spanish expansion
ahove the Rio Grande. Had these
monarchs devoted half the energn
i 80 expended In attempting to build
a Earopean Empire 70 the develop
rfenf of their New World holdings,
holding which other countries could
have at that time disputed but with
the greatest difficulty. Il Ia beyond any
human mind to measure the changes
that would have occurred In suhse-
auent history.
The exposition will remind the
world that Il was AT san Antonio so
wears ago that the world famous
tragedy Of the Alamo occurred. The
STORY of the Alamo Is one OF the
tragic Incidents of San Antonio's wlor-
ious traditions
Tra sedy- of tho Alamo
Here In the grim old chapel fort
ress. 1873 AnRio-Saxons died to a man
fghting for their liberties against the
Mexican despot. Santa Ana. From
February %. 1885. until March s,
Lieut., Col william Barrett Travis,
aided by that daring frontiersrpan.
James Bowie. and that bac ywo cd s
philosopher. statesman and soldier
David Crockett. and the devoted lit
tie garrison held at bay a Mexica n
army Yariouslv estimated at from A.
GOO 10 r00o men. While the siege
was a. It's height Colonel Travis gent
out this call for help:
ma "A "A l4gts pf the A Ia
Befar February "a. 1898.
To the People of Texas and All Amert-
cans in the World.
Fellow citizens and conpatriots,
am hesieged by a Thousand or more OF
the MeNl"ans under Santa Ana. |
have sustained a continual bonn bard
ment and canuonade for twentyfour
hours. and have not lost a man. The
enemy has demanded surrender at
discretion. otherwise the garrison are
to be put to the sword II the fort is
taken. have answered the demand
with a cannon shot and our flag still
waves proudly from the walls. | shall
never surrender or retreat. Then
call on vow In the name OF liberty,
or PATRIOTISM and everything dear TO
the American character to come 10
our all with all dispatch. The enemy
Is receiving reinforceinents daily, and
will no doubt increase to three or
four thousand in four or FIVE days II
this call is neglected, am determined
70 sustain myself as long as posi- Bile
and die like soldier who never for
gets what Ia due to his own honor
and that Of his country. Victory or
death
WILLIAM BARRETT TRAVIS,
Lieutenant Colonel Comm andant.
Sick Lifted In Cots Across Line.