The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-01-31
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA,

THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
The discovery of America was one
Of the greatest events that marked the
course Of the fifteenth century. The
occupants of the vessels had long
Jared the fury Of the waves-,he
storm had damaged their rigging. and
the almost boundless ocean had threat.
ened to engu|ph them in its bosom,
and watery grave seemed to be
their doom. But. as the pillar Of fire
by night. and the cloud BY day guided
the IsraeIte through the land Of Ca.
man, so the star Of hope preceded
these mariners, and led them through
an unfrequented ocean, till a glorious
reward crowned their efforts The
sun had risen. and was fast approach.
ing its noon. day brightness, when the
Joyful cry Of "!anL ahead' floated over
The waters, and was echoed in tie
silent cavern Of the deep.
The discovery drew the attention
of the wsest men Of Europe, and fast
peopIed the Western desert. Then
= commenced the work Of civilizing the
newly discovered continent. The
white man came, and with him his
improvements. The red man was
obliged to resign his claim, as the sole
! possessor OF the Eastern Hunting
] Grounds, and gradually retire from
I the land of his e retailers, and the
home of his childhood, to the abode
Of the stranger, berc(t Of the conso.
Iation of being near the resting place
of his ancestors.
q The smooth and CLASSY rivulets
=, which flowed along in calm and un.
y, disturbed repose, rippIcd, only by the
i course of a single canoe as it glided
q u swiftly along, now became an i'm.
y petuous torrent, furrcwcd up by the
Y progress Of large ships. The large
and noble iores. shook and fell be-
meath the ponderous stroke Of the
u Europeans axe, and towns, villages,
y and cities sprang up with the rapidity
>. of lightning, and occupied the place
where stood the mighty forest, where
- the warhoop of hostile tribes.
IN mortal combat met"
re resounded from hin and valley. and
u all was hustle where once reigncd tho
Ut stiffness of midnight hour.
Time progressed and wrought won
.. derfuI changesin the history Of Amer
=, ica- The Pilgrims, prosecuted race.
~ finding NO place in .heir native land
r. where they might worship God,
- crossed the seas, and settled upon the
&c Western Continens- The vital spark
Sc of religious liberty which had surviv.
10 ed the rough blasts Of the Atlantic.
De then ignited into purer flame that
lighted up the waste places of the
earth, and reflected ~ brilliant and
Z, bright blaze upon the nation, OF the
y" earth. The Colony which the Pill.
grims founded, was a noble ,onc.--
o. Peace, happiness and liberty blessed
ID them. Religion found home in the
III forest. What joyful thought-tha,
America first sprung up in the prin>
of ciples of religion. The hymns Of de
ne votion nightly floatcd upon the air,
&c then died away. The fea,hered song-
ms ster Of the wood took up the strains
Of natures minstrelsy in praise Of
Heaven.
From this period commences the
$ rise o America, and her, subsequen,
ne prosperity. But the authors--the
Pllgrims--wkere are they? The
l. Rock Of Plymouth still remains, but
= - the "May-Flower" and her occupants
- have long ceased to exist. Aud though
'' they have passed away-sheir bodies
mouldered-their spirits still animate
be and shed holy influence over US.
is Centuries have passed! the voice OF
of the Pilgrim is hushed! Yet we may
~ fancy that their spirits. as the las,
n. hour OF night ceases, may be found
=, :, lowering around the Rock Of Ply.
a. mouth. TO animate their descendants
of to deeds worthy of their name. Many
m eventlul periods have since agita,ed
e. the hearts Of our countrymen, and
!" upon the result of which The fate of
" America has rested. But those mo.
ments of danger have passed; she is
A. now prosperous and happy, and her
ne name envied by all the nations Of the
IN globe.
I'd
$; OHIo-THE LAND OF BREAp.-.The
n quantity Of wheat which Ohio raised
n. is 1850 L. saA damn nj ah:.s.. -