"We see in this a public recognition of the progress made by our Association in securing for Las Cruces a public park, and we are not unmindful of the fact that this is doubtless the first public recognition of a park by any association composed of the gentlemen of our Valley.

"The value of a park to a town or city is second only to its churches, colleges and schools; and a town or city without an enclosed piece of ground kept for ornament or recreation, as Webster defines a park, has little right to a place among the 19th Century towns of America.

"It is a sad reflection that in this remarkably beautiful and fertile valley, where the sun in his splendor rules the day and the moon rules the night, and where flowers, foliage and fruit grow in endless variety and luxuriance, our towns have slumbered for almost half a century in apparent ignorance of the value of a public park filled with the fragrance of the flowers, the shade and foliage of the trees, and covered with the evergreen carpet of nature.

"We are at a loss to know why, unless it is because our lords and majordomos of the Mesilla Valley are too thoroughly immersed in the humdrum life of business to appreciate the demands of nature for rest, recreation and outdoor amusement in the lifegiving climate and sunshine of New Mexico.

"If this be the true reason why we have no parks in our towns, our husbands and fathers have made a fatal mistake, and we take the liberty of referring to it here in order that a remedy may still be provided for the future so that those still surviving may not be consigned to their graves prematurely and unusually large crop of widows be turned loose upon the community...."