The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-03

that all other ages seem to pale into in
significance before 1t. Narrowing the
horizon of our vision let us view the
mighty march of progress in our own
beloved America. AT the opening OF
the century, the United States con-
sisted of sixteen states with popula-
ton Of FIVE millions. The young ma
ton was just then beginning to feel
the impulse Of vigorous national ex-
istence. She has long since taken her
place among the nations of the world.
Our nations early commerce was Of
small importance. Her inland traffic
was carried on by means of small sail
ing craft that crept timidly along the
shores Of her mighty rivers, while the
great wagons of our forefathers moved
at snaiPs pace over the rugged
mountains and through the valleys
bearing their precious freight to far
distant inland towns and cities.
Behold the contrast1 We now see
gigantic steamers fitted with all the
magnificence Of modern mansion,
moving back and forth across the
ocean as regularly and with as great
comparative speed as the shuttle
moves across the web of the carpet;
while our then small foreign commerce
has grown to the enormous value Of
one billion eighty-fve millions of dol
lars annually.
We have entered upon the last de
cade of this most remarkable of cen
turies. Our country has passed through
many vicissitudes, and is purged of
that one great stain the traffic in hu.
man souls. Her five millions of
people have multiplied to over sixty
five millions while her resources and
wealth have been developed to an un-
paralleled degree.
As America goes, SO goes the world.
May her progress be ever onward and
upward, and may her rulers always be
guided by an unfaltering trust in Him
who is the ruler of all nations. May
the stars and stripes ever float, as they
do now, w,over the greatest, the grandest,
and the most progressive nation of the
world-the land Of the free and the
home of the brave.
EARTH'S BATTLE FIELD.
Margaret Sullivan.
Miss Margaret Sullivan of Harris
burg, Pa. was third on the programme,
and took for her subject, "Earth's Bat
tie Fields"
While perusing the pages of history
both ancient and modern, the reader
encounters the description of one bat
tie after another. From time imme-
mortal this earth has been the scene
Of slaughter and bloodshed, and no
century ever passed in which there
has not been heard the tramp,
tramp of contending armies.
The time of war has been called the
time that tries mems souls, and its
truthfulness cannot be denied. Only
they who have been participants in or
witnesses of a bloody conflict, can ap-
preciate the horrors of war.
What scene! The roar of cannon,
the sheets of fire from the musketry,
the embattled field, and the terrible
slaughter all combine to make the
spectacle awfully sublime. sags.
The result Of the battle Of Chalons
was a great victory which is placed
among the significant events of history.
1t was Attila's intention to traverse
Italy with fire and sword in order to
destroy the last vestige of Roman
Power, but this battle decided that
Christianity and not the Pagan Huns,
should inherit the dominions of the
expiring Roman Empire and control
the future destiny Of Europe.
In a fgurative sense the term ''bat-
ties" is applied to the struggles going
on in the human heart as decided by an
enlightened conscience. An indi-
viduaPs conflict against vice and sin is
very similar to nations conflict
against oppression and usurpation.
The battle decides as much for the
individual as bloody contest does
for the nation. If right triumph once,
at the next onslaught, the victory will
be much easier until risht-doing be-
comes habit.
At this point in the programme,
Misses Rawlings, Richie, Girton and
Master Jean Cohen rendered in a
delightful manner, a four handed
instrumental selection, entitled Holi-
day March, from Dressler.
THE SILENT SIDE.
Sarah Junkin.
The subject chosen by Miss Sarah
Junkin of Lewistown, Pa, was "I'he
Silent Side," and very beautifully did
she detail the silent yet powerful in
fluences in quiet, unassuming life.
AS an introduction to her subject, she
pictured very prettily, the magnificent,
towering peaks of the Rocky noun