The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-29
WAS COLUMBUS A JEW7

The ghost of Christopher Columbus
will not down. 1t should seem that after
life's fitful fever and several centuries
of repose in the grave he might be per-
mitted to rest quietly on his laurels, but
he is not. The proposed celebration in
1892 of the four hundredth anniversary
of the discovery of America has al
ready started discussion as to the ma
tivity and nationality of the discoverer,
and from the way it opens there is no
telling where it will end.
1t has not been long since an American
consul shocked the Cuban authorities
by offering to pay a large sum for the
privilege of exhibiting COlumbus's bones
in the United States. The indecent
offer was Indignantly declined. No doubt
the authorities thought the bones had
been ratified enough already, for they
were buried and removed four times
before they reached their present rest
ing place in Havana. Some time, when
we acquire Cuba, they will come into
our possession, and if thought advisable
can be quietly and decOrOusly removed
to Washington.
1t is curious commentary OH the un-
certainty of human fame and human
history that neither the birthplace of
Columbus nor the date of his birth is
known with certainty. Genoa is his
commonly accepted birth place, though
several other places have laid claim to
the honor, and one party to the present
discussion asserts that he was COrsican
instead of Genoese. AS to the time of
his birth authorities differ fully ten
years. These details are not of much
consequence, but all true friends of CO.
lumbus must unite in defending his
claim to be the real discOverer of Amer
lea. We cannot afford to have our ma
tional traditions destroyed. our folklore
abolished, and our schoOl-bOoks rem
dered obsolete by admitting the claim of
any other person to that honor.
But perhaps the most curious and in
teresting claim recently brought to light
is that Columbus was Jew, or of jew
ish origin. This claim is made seriously,
though where it originates is not stated.
A London cablegram in the Sunday
Journal says:
The Jewish World. without indorsing
this daring suggestion" says that 1.-The
I name CHRISTOPHER WAS frequently
Colon was borne by a distinguished family
of Jewish scholars. ChristOphers brother
Diego bore originally the name of Jacob,
which sounds suspiciOusly like Shem Ka-
dOsh ~ Further III mentions that "Jevs fig-
ure prominently in the history of the dis
covery. The plans and calculations for Co
lumbus's expedition were largely the work
of two Hebrew astronomers and mathemati-
clans Two Jews were also employed as
interpreters by Columbus. One, Louis de
Terres, was the first European to set foot
in the new world
There is nothing inherently improbable
in the suggestion. The Jews have al
ways been cosmopolitan people, and
at the period of Columbus's birth were
scattered all over Europe. They largely
controlled its trade and commerce. The
great navigator's father was a wool
cOmber, and, for all that is known,
might have been Hebrew. The race
has furnished some of the greatest
names in commerce, literature and art;
why not also the greatest of navigatOrs
and the discoyerer of the new wOrldP
The suggestion is at least sufficient to
rouse investigation. Along with all
other doubts as to COlumbus's birth
place and identity it should be settled
in good time for the great anniversary
of 1892.