Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-22

w dlClS.
world. It opened to mankind new
continent, and gave vent to the con-
gested countries OF the old world, and
relief to the throngs who sought in new
and virgin soil a place where liberty
should dwell and freedom reign. The
discovery OF America by Columbus was
not the result of an instantaneous
thought or sudden inspiration. Column
bus had spent almost his whole
lifetime in trying to carry out
his scheme to find narrow
passage to the Indies. He had
in his own mind fashioned out the con-
tour of the globe as spherical, and as an
enthusiastic believer in his own theory,
was willing to verify his convictions at
any cost. The speaker then briefly re-
vived the many disappointments OF the
great discoverer in his search TOR aid
to carry out his plans; his weary Jour
neys and encouragement and final de-
termination to take his project to
France his visit to the convent at La
Rabida, and conferences with the noble
old Father Superior Juan Perez de la
Manchena, through whose intercession
with Queen Isabella fortune finally
smiled upon the tireless explorer. All
these incidents were graphically mar
rated.
"From that moment" continued Col
onel Ayers" the discovery of America
was fixed fact. As soon as Columbus
had his three caravels and had sailed
from the shores OF Andalusia, he was
certain that he would find land. and the
discovery of the American continent re-
suited from his unrivaled enterprise.
The young gentleman who preceded me
we'll told you that 1t EN- planted new life
in the world. and gave new hopes to
mankind. For 400 years the progress of
civilization has been unsurpassed in all
the previous history of the world. What
other 400 years in history can compare
with it? 1t remainslfor some one today
to traduce Columbus as a pirate and a
robber, but he who does 60 has read his
tory to little purpose. Recently in
one OF our popular magazines
the history of that wonderful
time was written, with all it's lights and
| shadows, by that great and patriotic
Spanish orator and statesman, Senior
CASTELAR,. after whom the street fronting
your high school house was named
How any one could now stand before an
audience and traduce Columbus is be
yond my comprehension. Wrapped up
in his own thoughts and the carrying
out of his great project, of tempera-
ment deeply religious, studious and in
| dustrious, Columbus had none of the
characteristics that go with man who
seeks blood and treasure at the expense
of honor and virtue. 1t was not Colum.
bus, but the nquistadores who came
after him, to whom the crimes that fol
lowed the discovery must be imputed
They came with iron hands and seized
by the throats the poor natives, made
| slaves of them, and decimated an en- tire
race. The accursed thirst for gold which
followed Columbus is responsible for
| that The aims of Columbus were hui
i name and philanthropic. To be sure,
! he demanded to be made an admiral OF
the Spanish government, and insisted
on having one.ten.h of all the gains
which should come from his discoveries.
/ But none of these requirements were
complied with, and he died in poverty
at Valladolid. Certainly he is not the
man to be traduced on the four hum
dredth anniversary of his great dis
covery.
In his concluding remarks the speaker
referred to the wondrous effects on
mankind of the discovery of the new
world. The outpourings from Europe
of the adventurous conquistadores were
the marvel of that age. But it was not
until after their epoch of rapine, and in
the seventeenth century, that the An
glo-Saxon race fought the tyranny OF
class and kings and determined to found
new empire. Then this continent
loomed up in gigantic form. There was
the settlement by them in the northern
portion of the continent, the revolution,
and the growth of great grand and
glorious country, devoted to the rights
OF man-the cynosure of all eyes and
the hope of the human race.
The exercises closed with few re.
marks from Comrade Bennett, who re-
ferred to the significance of the flag and
urged the pupils to protect the flag ol
their country and its principles, and
the entire school enthusiastically sang
Hail Columbia.
ST, MARY's ACADEMY.
The exercises held at st. Mary's
academy proved to be exceedingly inter
estipg. The school auditorium was art
istically draped with Italian, Spanish
and American flags, and all the pupils
| wore the American colors, the red, white
and blue. AS they paid their graceful
salulation to the flag, the thought mus
have come to all present: "Surely these
children are being taught lessons o
patriotism which they will never for
get."
! The following programme was rem
/ dered:
instrumental musie-March.
4 Song in costume-40O Years Ago.
Acrostic-Columbus
Re"itation-5ai iug of Columbus.
instrumental music.
Recitati n-A story EmbOdying the EARLY Ltf
of Columbus.
/ Patriot 9 song and chorus.
Recitation umbus.
Wand drill-PIimAry department in costume
| Reel ,atiOn-Wnat Co umbus DID Not Do.
Instrumen entail muic.
Recitsti n-Trib ate to Columbus.
| Flag drill.
Debate-Claim of the Nations, Italy, spail
and Am erica tin costume).
Questions and answers-Life OF Columbu
(primary depar menr.
Sautipg the Flag.
Song-America.
AT THE NINTH-sTREET SCHOOL.
/ At $3.50 yesterday morning the pupil
OF the Ninth-street school pa sedin four
from their different rooms into thei
play yard, and grouped themselves
around the lunch house, which had beef
tastefully decorated by committee o
pupils. In the front stood beautiful