Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-02-02
OUR FRIEND COLUMBUS.
BARCELONA AND THE DlscovERER
OF AMERICA.

Man-How WIN the Ao0th Anniversary
of the Discovery be Celebrated?-some
Ancient History Retold. ,.t.
On a certain night, the 4Ooth anniversary
Of which will roll around Oct II, 1892,
little feet of vessels, under command Of
Christopher Columbus was approaching the
coast of America. That day one Of the yes
sells had picted up branch Of thorn, with
red berries on it At 10 p. m. Columbus,
while seated on the deck of his vessel, thought
he saw light He called to Pedro Cutter
rez, who also saw it; but Rodriguez Sanchez,
who looked for it, saw it not. No one slept
that night. At o'clock in tho morning
Oct. 12-the sound Of q gun was heard on
the face of the waters. 1t came from the
Pinta, and was signal that land had been
found. II was more. 1t was the signal
for tho beginning of centuries Of strug
gle with races Of people whose types
were novelty to Europeans. 1t was the
death signal to Peruvians, Aztecs, and the
savages Of North America. It announced
new governments. Oceans covered with
sails, and afterward with steamers. It was
the signal for the beginning of many new
nations, ono Of which is second in wealth
and power to none in the world today.
Already the matter of celebrating the
coming quadru-centennial of Columbus
landing is beginning to attract attention.
Nearly five years remain in which to make
arrangements for it. But as the whole world
is interested-at least all Europe and America
perhaps the time is not too long. As seems
fitting, the first voice in the matter comes
from that people whose ancestors fitted out
the expedition which resulted in the dis
covery, and from the legislative halls of the
most numerous and powerful nation of the
new continent.
Don Emelio Castalar, a distinguished
Spanish statesman, proposes that all the
nations Of the earth unite-that the
initiative take place at Genoa, the
birth place Of Columbus-Spain. Portu-
gal, Italy, France, England and the United
States participating; that each of these
nations send vessel to Palos in Grenada,
where, after celebrating the anniversary of
the sailing Of the Spanish expedition on the
Sd Of August the international fleet shall
sail for the Island of San Salvador, stopping
at the Canary islands. By this plan series
of celebrations, at the different points Of Col
umbus' journey may be inaugurated, which
can be supplemented by local observances
all over the world.
In the halls Of congress a committee Of
five senators and five representatives has
already been suggested to take action, with q
view to commemorate the event by an inter-
national exhibition of the industries and pro-
ducts Of all nations. The committee on
library, to which the question of this COM
mittee of senators ahZ representatives was
referred, has reported favorably, and what
ever other methods of celebration the United
States may take part in with other nations,
it is probable that the matter of this inter-
national exhibition will be pushed forward
by the government.
While the world is about commencing
preparations to commemorate the discovery
of America by Columbus, new statue has
been set up in Boston to ono of the alleged
discoverers Of q period dating back more
than four centuries before Columbus was
born. Left Erickson, it is claimed, following
up the report Of one who had been blown
near the coast Of Greenland, but who had not
landed, sailed with crew of thirty-five men
and reached the country soon after, about
the year A. D. 100O These earlier discoveries,
however, are involved in obscurity; and
while it is not improbable that vessels at va
rious times had been blown SO far westward
as to have seen tho land before Columbus, no
advantage was ever taken of the discovery,
and the records, if any, nrs extremely
doubtful.