Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1852-04-07

new hemisphere did not take the
name of the first discoverer (if, as it
would appear, it had no name of its
own)-that itwas not called Colum-
bia, after the noble Genoese sailor,
instead of America, from Amerigo,
the Florentine. But after all, justice,
in this respect, has contrived to estab-
fish "a "cohrt of error I'M the popular
mind, whether. in this land OF in Eu-
rope. (which rules, that whenever you
- nrln>sthe; name ok America
49, lClk1!5DMnEs Of C6lun6ls, and
no one of Vespucci.
Poor Columbus! A sailcr himself,
and as heir to the papersofhis father
in law he had heard and read of voy-
ayers and their wonders, not unlike in
the eir philosophy (but of higher and
different order) those which tempted
Douglass from his Grampian hills
He went about from court to court,
with a heavy heart, asking permission
to visit the western continent and
bring back news. Courtiers, and
even sovereigns, who listened for a
moment to his pleading, said or
thought that the poor man was de-
No, he was not; but he
would have probably become so if
Providence had not opened for him
an occasion and opportunity to test
his theory by practical theory expert
ment. The difficulty was want of
means to execute his project, or per-
ish in the effort. In the court of
Spain he had the support of one or
two distinguished eeclesiastics. Co
lumbus was scientific enthusiast,
and such men are always eloquent
when they speak of their favorite
project. Still his eloquence had
proved vain at many courts; and in
the final, almost hopeless interview
it was, as he knelt pleading before
Ferdinand and Isabella, that he
touched a achord which vibrated in the
inmost heart of the illustrious and
royal lady. In that august presence
he had spoken Of the anticipated
glory and gain connected with the
success of his enterprise, but without
effect. But when he spoke of the
probability of the existence of mer
made after Gods image, who nigh
be brought to know Jesus Christ, ant
to be saved, believing in Him, he
melted the heart of s.Isabella, tn,
Catholic, $50 that she lost all ap
nef person anu ner uidueu., .,.s = |,
them, so to speak, at the feet OF III,
enthusiast and deemed their value
as nothing compared with the mere
possibility of their being instrumen.
taly in bringing souls buried in the
darkness of Paganism to the knowl,
edge of Christ.
In few months atterward Colum-
bus was seen planting the cross on
the island of San Salvador, and TAX
ing possession of this Hemisphere in
the name of Christ our Savior csSan
Salvador') and of Spain. look
upon this scene as one of the most
interesting, if not thrilling, events re-
cordered in the annals of the human
race. But in this title-page and from
tispiece of American history Colum-
bus was not alone. His partner in
the glory was Isabella the Catholic,
the meek, the brave, the enlightened
the discreet, the beautiful Queen of
CASTLE and Aragon."
His concluding remarks show a
very different spirit, f ON the report
ed proceedings of the Indiana meet
ing of Catholics, which urged the po-
lltical prescription of all who sympa-
thise with the Hungarian people in
their struggle for national indepen-
aence: We say "reported proceed
lngs" because we cannot but hope
that the character of that meeting
will turn out to be different from that
We cannot but think that
f we could come at the bottom of
his matter, it would be found to be
he maneuvering of the common en-
'my of political and religious freedom
20 20. sssa. conservative self styled sun
on democratic universal whig," par
y, which now controls the patronage
If the general Government. We can
lot believe otherwise than that the
'atholic population of this country,
lave too much good sense to resort
o such prescription. They can see
Is well as the disguised enemies who
would stimulate them to this course
hat it is a two edged sword rebound
ng with redoubled force upon those
Who dare to use it. The Arch Bishop
5 fully sensible of the true and dis
met mission of religion and politics,
nd exhibits his appreciation of our
Institutions in the following forcible
lords.
The moral of the remarks l have
lade, if they have any, should be, in
~ judgment, that no pretentions
, religious ascendancy should be en-
ertained on one side, or admitted on
ne other. In the whole range of hu-
ian benefits, no nation on the earth
as more reason to be thankful for
le favors which the kind Providence
{ Almighty God has placed in its
ossession, and within its reach, than1
e people Of the United States. Lesa
3e,