The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-11
isabella OLE SPAIN.
a Sugg estion in Relation to the Proposed
Memorial in 1892.


a SuGg estion in Relation to the Proposed
Memorial in 1892.
Editor W0mdH'S Column, Morning Call:
Soon it will be 400 years since Christie
pher Columbus came west and we, of the
continent which he discovered, propose to
celebrate the event by a Memorial Worlds
Fair; but much as Columbus deserves
credit, as is often the case, his effort was
seconded by woman, Isabella, who made
the discovery possible lie had travelled to
many courts. to ind neither help nor SYM
pathy, and NJ. lie Marquis de Belloy tells
why he turned TO Spain. because he
thought he should find there what he had
not found elsewhe lie scented the woman
from afar," ana he thus describes the meet
ing with the Queen. "At last his eyes beheld
the wondrous being who was the glory, the
honor. the salvation of ChrstendOm. And
she was all his fancy had pictured, as fair
as she was great, etc, etc. Her hair au-
burn, inclining to red, her eyes of a clear
blue, like Columbus own, with benign
and earnest expression. Once their gaze
had met, once those two souls had eX-
changed mutual recognition, the miracle
was accomplished, the unity of the world
was achieved" This woman, SO many years
ahead Of her time, showed great wisdom
astute statesman, andihe disapproved. She
cOnY0ked the most learned preiates of
LEON AND CASTLE,
And they assured her that the idea W as not
only impractical but heretical, for the
Bible speaks of the lends of the earth,
and how could a round world have ends"
The common herd expended their small
witticlsmS on the project, only few pre-
lateS approved, and Isabella was strongly
impelled to exile Columbus. But she
weighed all evidence; her Judgment in
clined 10 the theory, and at last she decided
to aid, with such dignity and quiet asSer-
ton as to ALLEVIATE none, for though Ferdi-
nAnd was Jealous and Of peculiar DISPOSE
ton, she always managed her own realm.
They consulted and often rendered mutual
aid. but though they were husband and
vile they were independent SOYerelgnS, re-
speeding each others rights, and because of
this justice they were always the best of
friends. Isabella disproyes the theory that
wife must be subordinate in order to i'll
sure domestic peace. She was never SUI
coordinate TO the gloomy, bilious Ferdinand,
and lie loved her all the more Tor being just
TO herself. In this Isabella weighed the
proposition and decided for herself. No
one should suffer from the venture but her
self. SO size pledged the crown jewels Of
CASTLE 10 raise The money, and because
HER FAITHFUL SUBJECTS
We're afraid to enlist as seamen, she com.
PEELED the worst conyicts in her jalls to 20
as crew, all Of which was just but decidedly
hard on Columbus, for these couyicts were
looking for the ENDS of the earth" and eX-
pected TO 60 over, SO only by strategy could
he induce them to continue. Isabella made
some mistakes; she tolerated the Inquisi-
hon and allowed the Jews to be Danlshed,
but those were the acts of the joint SOW
erelgns, she was under great pressure, not
tTee as IN deciding Tor her own realm alone,
anu these acts were no worse than deeds
committed Two hundred years later on our
own shores by most excellent men. Her
instincts were always kind; she was a good
vile and mother, true friend and far
ahead of most OF her times, selecting tie
wlSest for her councillors. When Column
bus, unable IN other ways TO make his
voyages q commercial success, sent Indians
to Spain to be sold as slaves, Isabella was
enlightened enough 10 send them back, with
such reprimand that during her life the
experiment was not repeated. She also
sent as missionaries TO her American
provinces some OF her most spiritual priests,
some VINO lett on record earnest manly
protests against the inhumanity with which
Inc natives were treated by the soldiers,
and Isabella sided with the faithful mis-
slonarles. Isabella was quite
a MODEL WOMAN,
Courage Gus, often going into battle herself,
frank, not given TO intrigues, sympathetic
and helpful, and strong minded to assert
herself and secure justice Tor herself as is
and again did her brother betroth her to
some princeling, but she would not consent
to the nuptials, though she would, and did,
despite stern threats, marry Ferdinand,
and she deported herself with SO much love
and seli-Tespect as to make their married
life almost a model, far ahead OF the aver
age union Of to-day. And love abode with
them until they both died II any one
should be commemorated on the four
hundredth anniversary of the discovery of
America II Is Isabella, aud for that purpose
the Queen Isabella Association" invites
the women OF all countries to unite with
those OF Chicago who inaugurate this move
ment, to erect a statute of this able woman.
TO be unveiled in 1892. 1t seems as if the
most suitable memorial for this benefact-
Tess Of tie world would be a fund. the
proceeds TO be appropriated forever and
forever to the advancement of woman.
First secure her freedom, then devote it to
the dissemination of the truth as concerns
her physical disorders. When that is no
longer needed there are physical and
spiritual realms, hardly discovered; let it be
used for first explorers in those unknown
regions. s. s.
GLtTOy, ABTiL, 1880.