Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-12
COlUM BUS.

Thoughts Inspired by the APProaohfn,
-Four Hundredth Anniversary OF Amer
teas Discovery.
On the 18th day of October, 1892. will
occur the four hundrcdth anniversary OF
the discovery bv Christopher Columbus
which ultimately led to the settlement
and civilization of the Western Hcml,-
phere, and the establishment of num-
Der of independent, prosperous and pro
grcSsivc sovrreigntics. An event which
opened the door to such momentouS re-
suits ought to bc titN celebrated 10y AL
the countries which owe their eNistenc,
primarily to the faith, courage and per
severance of the great di>coverer, and,
most of all, by the United States, the
greatest and frccst, the most enlightened
and the most prosperous OF the splenal'
constellation.
NnIIe there can hardly be two opIn.
ions AS to the propriety of such cele-
bration, with a special and fitting recog-
career of its central figure, there will OF
course be diversity of views rs to the
precise form a memorial observance OF
this character should assume, and the
details by which it should be marked.
All must agree, however, that to adc-
quately symbolic and properly perpetu-
ate the sentiment which prompts the
proposed celebration. something noble
in conception and permanent in charac-
ter is necessary Naturally the popular
mind will turn first to a monumental
structure, of some form or other, and
the voice of the country, could IT ind
expression, would doubtless favor the
erection nj the National capital, by the
direct action of Congress, of a sculp-
tured group which would portray the
form and features of Columbus, and at
the same time tell, through the medium
of suitable emblcmatic accessories. the
story of his marvellous voyage and its
unmatched outcome and the thought
! would naturally follow of course that
/ the structure should be completed and
dedicated with due ceremonial hOnors
on the quadrcnnial anniversary OF the
event il is designed to commemorate.
1t may and no doubt will be said that
in the matter Of erecting monuments
and statues the country has of late years
moved somewhat too fast and with too
little regard for the unities of art and
history. This is in a sense unfOrtunatc-
" too true. But surely no one can pre-
tend that as people we have been too
hasty in the recognition of Columbus
4 1. . u. n an A
be likely to say that they should not be
recognized in the most imposing and
enduring manner possible. In this re-
spect the United States appears at great
disadvantage when compared with other
countries whose obligation is at least nc
greater, and whose ability, TO fifty eN'
press il. is certainly much less. The
Republic of Mexico. for example. has
ALREADY erected i'll her capital city &
massive and handsome sculpturcd groul
in honor of the hardy and adventurous
sailor. His bronze rtligV adorn> the
port Of Aspinwall in the United state
of Colombia The city of his birth ha'
titly acknowledged the luster conferred
upon her by her illu~tr"uS son in th'
erection of an elaborate and beautiful
marine statue, W I'LL ~h''l'ilii'"
in one of her most prominent squares
Barcelona. where Columbus made re
port of his discoveries to his roya
+ patrons, has also paid him suitable hon
- ors by costly memorial structures. II
) other cities in Italy and Spain, and |,
some also in the new world, has HI
memory been similarly hOnored, many
the testimonials being imposing an'
-. costly, rather less striking and eNpen
sivc. but all conceived and executed il
the most liberal spirit of graceful ap
, probation. Yet the people of the Unite
r. States have been silent and idle all thcs
7 years. Shall it longer he said. to thei
shame. that they are too busy with othe
- things or too njggardy to properly hon
= or the memory Of the man to which :
. much is duep- Washington star.