The record-union., 1892-10-22

ments of conquerors in all the ages of the past,
and all the deeds celebrated in story ana ~
song sink into insignificance. Some have led
victorious armies through fields of slaughter
TO satisfy the lust of ambition; others nave
freed a suffering people from mlsrule ana
tyranny, and others still have WreSted' from
unwilling Nature her most closely guarded
secrets and blessed mankind with the discoy-
cries OF science. But the discovery OF America
by the Italian sailor, Christopher Columbus,
gave new course to the march OF progress,
and led to results that have beneficially af-
fected the whole world. Vino of us in the
present day, when immense steamers cross
the Atlantic in less than q week, can justly
appreciate the daring of that voyage over un-
known seas upon which Columbus boldly
yentured? Brave spirits hesitated TO EN- bark
with him, and indeed 1t seemed as II II were
voyage TO eternity. Many time his sailors
desired to turn back. but the indomitable viii
of Columbus urged them on, inspired them
with renewed hope and confidence, until four
hundred years ago to-day they landed upon
shore untrodden before by civilized man.
AT this time it becomes particularly inter
esting to learn all that we can of that dlscoy-
erer, whose name and fame are as enduring as
the earth itself. Christopher Columbus was
born at Genoa, Italy, in 1875 or 1886, the
exact date being uncertain. and was the Oldest
son of Dominica Colombo, q woOl-cOmber by
occupation. Christopher was student at the
University at Pavia until he reached his NJ
teenth year, when he determined to adopt the
life of sailor. OF his early life little that can
be said to be beyond dispute, is known. But
that he visited many parts of the earth is GER
Vincent, in 1470, he was wrecked, and by
means OF plank reached land and proceeded
TO Lisbon. He devoted himself to the study
OF mathematics and the natural sciences, and
perfected himself in all the arts of the pracU-
cal seaman. About this time he became OF
the opinion that great portion of the world
was yet unknown to the European geograph-
ers, and that Asia might be reached by
journey westward. Firmly convinced that
the earth was round. ana that India could be
reached Dy sailing directly away from Europe,
he laid his mans and the aTpnnpQtS in
port of his views, before several rulers and
councils, but he was deemed a visionary. AT
length Isabella, Queen o1 Spain, decided to
aid him in his plans, and on April Il, 1492,
an agreement was entered into between Co
lumbuS and the sOVereignS OF Spain by which
he was to be furnished with ships and provis-
ions tor his notable voyage across the seas.
1t required much effort to secure the requisite
number OF sailors TO man the ships, but
finally on Friday, August 3, 1492, the little
feet, consisting OF decked ship and two cara
ves, departed from Palos. AS they journeyed
over the apparently lmitless sea the sailors
grew restless, ana murmurs of discomfort
were heard. Their tears however, We're al
layed by the assuring words of Columbus,
and at last the long sOught-fOr land was
sighted, and on Friday, the 18th day OF Octo-
Der, 1492, or according to the modern caien-
dar, October 21st, Columbus and his crew
landed on an island, which he named san
Salvador. lie established a colony on the
island, and set sail again for Europe, which
he reached in March the year following.
He entered Barcelona, where thea court
then was, in triumphal proc ssiOn,
and related the story of his adventures.
Honors were conferred upon him and it was
determined, speedily as possible, to send
Columbus on new expedition. We will not
follow him in his subsequent voyages, nor in
the trials, privations and triumphs of his
later life. He died at Valladoid in 1906 and
on his coffin was placed this inscription: "a
Castillo a Leon nuevo monde dio Colon
''To CASTLE and to Leon new world gave Co
lunbus."
Had it not been for the learning, the daring,
the perseverance and the zeal of Columbus 1t
might have been tor centuries before the Eu-
ropean world would have known OF this con-
tinent. The western world seems to be pre-
eminently the land OF freedom. Those who
came as colonists to found on virgin soil new
commonwealths and mold the destines of
future nations were imbued with strong
love for liberty, Many causes contributed to
this result. The fact that the settler was
brought face to face with nature in all its
grandeur filed him with the desire to throw
off the shackles that bound HIM in the land
where monarchs ruled by divine right. He
was also part of the forces required to organ
iZe q new government and to establish laws
leaving the Old World to escape the thrall-
dom of hereditary rule, the spark OF liberty in
his breast was on reaching the new land,
famed into an unquenchable flame. Here
has been founded a government where every
man is the equal of the other, where property
is protected, where labor is honored, where,
beneath one flag, happy people are secure in
their inalienable possession of freedom.
This is a land where libeTty-relgious and
civil-is the goddess at whose shrine every
citizen bows in devotion. 1t is a country
where industry and merit receive their high
est reward. II has been peopled by the blood
and Drawn OF many lands. Its sixty millions
and more of population represent the flower
of all the nations of the earth. Italy has sent
her sons and daughters to found new homes
in the land their countryman, Chris