The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-31
Discovery Of Amarina

and planted there the cross in token of graft
tude to the Divine mercy, which, after guild
ing him safely through perilous voyage, had
at last, in the discovery of a western world,
crowned with success the darling aspiration Of
his life Land had already been deserted on
the previous evening, but it was not till the
ensuing morning that the intrepid admiral be-
held the fiat and densely wooded shores gleam
ing beneath the rays of an autumn sun, and
by actually setting his foot on them, realised
the fulflment Of his hopes.
1t is now well known that although Coum
bus was unquestonably the first to proclaim
to the world at large the existence of new
and vast region in the direction Of the setting
sun, he cannot literally be said to have been
the first European discoverer of America. The
ancient Scandinayians or Norsemen, so re-
nowned for their maritime enterprise, had, at
the commencement of the 18th century, not
only settled colonies in Greenland but ex-
plored the whole east coast Of America as far
south as Al deg. 80 min. n, and there, near
New Bedford, in the State Of Massachusetts,,
they planted colony. An intercourse by
way Of Greenland and Iceland existed between
this settlement and Norway down to the four
teenth century There is also satisfactory ev-
idenee for believing, that in the twelfth centu-
ry the celebrated Welsh prince, Madoc, hav-
ing sailed from his native country with fleet,
landed and founded q colony on the coast of
Virginia. But to Columbus still belongs the
merit of having philosophically reasoned out
the existence of new world, and by practi-
caly aseertaining the truth of his propositions,
Of inaugurating that connection between the
eastern and western hemispheres which has
effected so remarkable a revolution in the
world history. 1t is little curious, indeed
that the belief which Columbus entertained, at
first, as to the land discovered by him being
part of India or China, was adhered to by
him to the last, and he died in the idea that
Cuba formed portion Of the mainland of In
dia. This notion so pertinaciously cIung to,
both by the great Genoese and Europe in gen
eral, was dispeled by Balboa's expedition, in
1913, across the isthmus of Darien, and the
discovery of the Pacific ocean, whilst few
years later, the real position of these countries
with respect to America was demonstrated BY
the expedition of Fernando Magalhaens, whose
untimely death, in the PHILIPPINE Islands, de-
prived him Of the honor of being the first cir
cumnayigator of the globe.
Much obloquy has been thrown on Amer
igo Vespucci, the Florentine navigator, for de-
priying Columbus of the honor Of giving his
name to the new world. How the denomna-
ton of America arose from Vespucci's chris
tan name, has never been satisfactorily ex-
planned, but it appears to be sufficiently ascer-
tanned that be himself is in nowise responsible
for the circumstance. Vespucci, who was a
man of considerable attainments, wrote an ac-
count Of his American voyages, which was
translated into German, and obtained an i'm
mense popularity with that nation 1t has
been conjectured that the name Of America
was first applied in Germany, to the new
world, and from thence was adopted by the
other countries Of Europe.
IT'S NONE OF OUR FUNERAL.-The following
account Of the disgraceful mob ofradcals, who
attacked Gen. Blair on Monday last, is from
the Cairo. Democrat:
The people of Cape Girardeau, No, invited
Gen. Frank Blair to address them on last
Monday, at the hour Of 10 ocloch A. NJ The
general accepted the invitation and took pas
sage on the steamer Belle Memphis, which
was due at the Cape early Saturday morning,
but unfortunately the boat grounded on bar
and was detained several hours, and did not
reach there until o'clock in the evening. An
immense number Of people from the country
had come into the town early in the day, and
had patiently waited until night, in order to
hear the views of the distinguished soldier on
the topics Of the day, but their hopes were
doomed to disappointment, and the crowds
left for their homes
The red-mouthed RAIDS being largely in the
majority at Cape Girardeau, were overioyed
at the disappointment of Gen. Blair's friends,
and when the general arrived they determined
to tage advantage Of the absence of his friends
and mob and kill him if they could, in case
he attempted to speak. Whatfew decent peo-
pie there are in that town, when they heard
the general was at the st. Charles hotel, pro-
ceeded together in front of the building, and
loud calls being made for him, he appeared
upon the balcony Of the hotel and commenced
to speak, when the organised band Of murder
GUS towards commenced to boot and yell at
him, calling him a liar, and, although many
ladies we're present, shouting the most obscene
language they could lay their foul tongues to.
Gen. Blair stood unmoyed and undaunted,
and looked quietly at the furious rabble. He
6Heu LOiu IHeu Iley were q set OF con-
towards and ruGians-the stripe that
garroted honest men in dark alleys and that
mobbed unarmed men for daring to defend the
Union and constitution. He told them that
he had seen traitors before-armed traitors,
who dared take up arms and fight for their
treason, and he would not be intimidated by
cowardly stayat-home rufians. When the
murderous crew found they could not scare
the old soldier, they gathered in a close mob
and commenced singing John Brown . SO as
to drown the speakers voice. The general
and his friends then retired to hall near by,
and organised meeting.
The PRoGRAMME.-By reference to the re-
spcechof Beast Butler at Cincinnati,
40 doubt can be felt as to the order Of events
new lease Of power to the radical
congress The New York Express analyses
he speech and gives the following synopsis
1. The president Of the United States
lfter vote by majority of the house of %
not So States-and that rump house, ere
tied, in part by the expulsion of such north
I'm members as Voorhees,, Brooks, Baldwin,
md others, to be impeached.
g. The thus impeached president is to be