New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-13
orrlolAL JouRsAI or The arA4r or Lov,s.AnA.
NEW ORLEANS, THURSDAY OCTOBER l3, 1870.

Of the earth joined to do him honor, and be
lore snarp ingratitude and grinding tyranny
had thinned his cheek, and made the sad
impress Of their effects on his countenance
In several parts Of the room were tho starr
and stripes of the great American Union
eiternated with the majestic national flag Oi
Italy, green, white and scarlet, 0rnamented
with the arms of tho princely house of
Savoy. Facing the audience wcre the
American and Italian flags tastefully
blended, and the whole space Of wall behind
embleniatic wreaths.
The members Of the Trio al Bersaglio
stood in military attitude around the walls
of the hall, and the centre was occupied by
the ladies and gentlemen composing the
audience. In the gallery the band was
stationed, together with numerous specta-
tors. The platform was occupied by the
officers of the Trio, the orators for the occa-
sion, and invited guests, among whom we
| noticed several members of the City Coun-
Gil. General West, Messrs. Pierce, Delas-
size and BOnzano, Mayor Flanders, and the
| other members Of the Council, we are in
formed, were kept away by pressing bust
ness. A number of gentlemen connected
with the City Hall were, however, among
the guests on the platform. Of course, the
daily press was fully represented.
/
Frederick A. johnson, who proceeded to
address the audience. Captain johnson
| said:
Mr.. President, Gentlemen and Ladies-We
have the honor of meeting, by invitation Of
the Trio al BersagliO, for the purpose of
assisting in doing honor to the anniversary
of the discovery of America by Christopher
Columbus.
Few, among us Americans, acquainted
with the history Of our own glorious country,
fail to appreciate the memory of that extra
| ordinary man, whose advent gave birth to
the discovery of our own native land.
And while sensitive of my inability to
weave . garland of howery words around
the illustrious name of Christopher COlum-
bus, indelibly engraved by his own acts
upon the brightest pages Of history, never
apology for those who have neglected
hitherto to celebrate the birthday Of his
discovery, that 80 original were his ideas,
SO GOdlike his patience, and so brilliant his
achievements, that his great spirit was, at
the time OF his discovery of America, 80
many years in advance of mankind, that
the civilized world has but attained that
state Of advancement capable of compre-
hending and appreciating mind SO instru-
mental in the development of civilization
and enlightenment.
To Genoa, in Italy, the land of music,
beauty, enthusiasm and art, the world is in
debted as the birthplace of Columbus,
while of Ferdinand and Isabella, of Spain,
he sought for and obtained the necessary
patronage and assistance incidental to so
hazardous an enterprise.
have but to point to the comfort of our fire.
sides, the smiling, intelligent, countcnances
of nearly AZ, ,0O0, 900 Of our inhabitants, our
starry and uncOnquerable flag of freedom,
Gods seas and oceans covered with innu-
merable ships and steamers, plying with the
regularity of the sun, to the remOtest parts
Of the globe, while the Eastern and Western
Hemispheres are bound together as one. by
the friendly clasp of the telegraphic cable.
The war whoop of the savage gives place
to the mellow chant of the Christian con-
gregatiOn, and the cross, the Christians en-
blem of salvation, caps the steeples of
countless churches, reflections Of the cruci-
fix first placed upon this continent by Chris
topher COlumbus-the God speed present Of
Queen Isabella.
Let his memory be an example to our
people. Repulsed as visionary schemer
by the government of Genoa. he applied to
the governments of England and Portugal.
He was repulsed by them likewise although
Portugal sent ont a private vessel to make
discoveries in the quarter indicated by
Columbus. Eight years were then exhaust
ed in obtaining the patronage Of Isabella,
Queen of Spain, during which time he was
known to have asked at a convent gate for
bread and water for his little boy.
Let his success, achieved by untiring
energy, industry and study, encourage our
youths, and let our government not under
value those who would benefit it if wisely
selected and assisted
The biography of Columbus is one of deep
thought; his character sublime; to attempt
his praise in language, would be inadequate
aud failure. But every atom of America
is a monument to his memory.
Captain JOhnson's address was frequently
interrupted by the applause of the audience.
As Captain johnson concluded, the band in
the gallery played in a mastery manner
that beautiful dirge-like music, the prayer
in "RObert lie Diable" by Meyerbeer. The
music was sadly appropriate, and seemed
to bewail the memory of a man whose whole
life was an effort for the benefit of his fel-
lows, repaid by anxiety, deep care, and the
deeper stings of foul ingratitude.
The president now introduced DR..
Dell Orto, the orator of the day, whose
speech in the italian Mother tongue of the
Trio al Bersaglio, made deep impression
on his audience.
DR.. Dell 'OrtO commenced by speaking of
the early career of Columbus, which, hum
bic and unebtrusive, was yet rife with all
the elements Of sublime greatness, forit was
preparation for the great discovery which |
has SO far revOlutiOnized, and will yet re-
generate the world. He dilated upon the
first voyage Of Columbus, the difficulties
through all its progress; intrinsic difficulties
enhanced by the bigOtry Of opponents who,
without the faintest glimmering of truth,
endeavOred to obscure the light of genius,
GOd-destined to open door to mans saliva |
ton, by revealing to him country where
freedom could grow and develop in safety, |
till the full time had come when that free
dom was strong to combat and overpOwer
the prOscriptive tyranny that had so long !
If the great deeds Of a great man contribute
to the glory Of his native. land; if |
Washington glorifed America, shall not |
Italy and Italians proudly claim for Italy |
the glory that belongs to the memory Of |
Christopher Columbuss
Dr. Dell 'Orto dwelt at length on the fur |
ther career Of Columbus, the injustice which |
repaid him from the Vaccinations OF jealous |
opponents, the injustice of a jealous and |
crafty king. The speaker touched feelingly |
on the past-the greatest injustice of all
the immortalization of an undeserving ad- |
venturer, who had achieved nothing but to |
steal the glory of Columbus by stamping |
his name on the vast region that Columbus |
has discovered and opened to the efforts Of |
civilization. This injustice has, in some
sort, been retrieved, for all civilization re. |
cognizes the fame Of Columbus, while the |
name of Amerigo abides in semi-ObliviOn.
Italy should complete the atonement by re-
the ashes of her great son, that
they might hereafter repose in quiet among
the ashes of Italy's great
The speaker concluded by applying the
words Of Byron as expressive of the en-
largement of thought that falls to the lot of |