Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-10-12
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
celebration of the $3.50 Anniversary
Of the Discovery Of America-

Of the Discovery Of America.
To-day is the anniversary Of the dis.
eovery Of America by Christopher Co
lumbus, which event took place three
hundred end eighty-three years ago.
After having been seventy.One days out,
at z o'clock Am, on the morning Of Oc-
tober II, 1892. the Pinta, one of the
ships composing Columbus expedition
Of discovery, fred a gun as the signal
for land. The part Of the new world
first discovered was one OF the Bahama
islands, which Columbus named San Sal.
vador. AT sunrise, the boats being low
cred, Columbus, with the royal standard
of CASTLE, a rowea o land, his pro-
gress being accompanied with music and
martial pomp. Columbus first stepped
on the beach and knelt and kissed the
ground with tears aud thanks to God.
The discovery was made on Friday,
the unlncky day Of the superstitious
people. Columbus was a Ge1oese mar
iner, and desired 10 find a new pathway
across the ocean so as to fulfill the
prophecies aud deliver the Holy Sepul.
cher from the SaraceDs, He was of
great talent, simplicity Of character, re-
lgious temper, singleness Of heart and
enthusiastic faith. Without means 10
fit out a ship, he applied for aid to Jose
H., of Portugal, and Henry VII Of
England, but without success.
But the enthusiastic faith Of a woman
oyercsme all obstacles. Isabella, of
CASTLE, granted to Columbus three small
vessels-the Pinta, Nina and Santa
Maria-and on Friday morning, the Sd
OF August, he set sail from Palos. On
Friday, the 18th of October, be first be-
held the Western land. Columbus sailed
among the islands, and returned to Spain
on the 4th of January, 1893.
After making four voyages to Amer
lea, which had in the meantime been
called after Americas VespucNs, who,
encouraged by Emanuel, King of Portu,
gal, discovered the mainland in 1893,
Columbus died on the 10Th of May, 1906,
allotting part Of the remains Of his estate
for the rescue of the Holy Sepulcher,
when its time shall come" Cristovalo
Colon, or as it has been Latinized, Chris
topher Columbus, was one OF those won
derful men which countries occasionally
produce, men who leave their mark upon
the worlds history in lines that last for
ever. Upon his'tomh wal incribed the
words, Columbus gave a new world to
Spain which became the motto of his
descendants.
This should be a national holiday
throughout the extent Of the continent
of America from ocean to pecan. We
celebrate much smaller a~nniversa-
ries and honor much smaller men than
Columbus. For several years the Italian
Society Of our city has endeavored to
make the anniversary a national one by
inviting other societies, representing the
different nstionalities, to join in the
celebration, but in this effort they have
not succeeded. This year the Italian
Society determined not to have any pub
lie parade, but to celebrate the great
anniversary in a quiet way by indulging
in a supper to. might in the hall Of Pc.
desta & Co., Odd Fellows building. To
this entertainment the members of the
Italian Society have invited a few friends,
and we have no doubt but that the ami
versary will be duly honored, as it should
be, by the countrymen Of that great nav
igater and historical hero Christopher
Columbus.