The record-union., 1892-11-09
PROPHETIC WINCHESTER.
Columbus Anniversary Celebration in
1892.
How a Prophecy of One Hundred
Years Ago Has Been
Fulfilled.


While the world is doing honor to the
memory of the great Columbus, it will
be interesting to review that page OF his
tory covering the celebrations Of 100 years
ago.
1t is probable that 1892 and 1892 passed
without special thought being given 10
the discoverer of America October of
1872, however, was not allowed to pass
unheeded. oddly enough the great cele-
bration at that time was held in England,
where the resentments caused by the
American revolution were still rife. But
the promoter of the affair was a native
of the States, and had the good Of his
country thoroughly at heart. His name
was Elnanan Winchester. And though
he did not succeed in securing for him
self an everlasting fame, he was during
his life noted character.
In I7SS Mr.. Winchester conceived the
idea of organizing a ter-centennial cele-
bration. He had already acquired some
thing of a reputation in America and
England as a sensational preacher, and 50
he had little trouble in interesting the
public in his scheme.
He made no attempt to gather the fruits
of the world to be displayed to the curl
GUS, 1t never occurred to him that great
temples should be reared for the purpose
OF demonstrating the progress of civiIIza-
ton. There was little pomp or ceremony
alb out his exposition" But all that he
did attempt he made successful.
October Il, 1892, full 10000 people gath
cred to listen to the address on ''Colum-
bus and his Discoveries" delivered by
Mr.. Winchester. The address was well
received, and was aiterward published in
book form. The only copy of this pubi-
cation known TO exist to-day is in the
possession Of James T. Onderdonk of
Chicago, who prizes it very highly.
The orator took up the line of prophecy
and had this to say of the celebration of
1892: The century to come willimprOve
America Tar more than the three centu-
rles past. The prospect opens, it extends
itself upon us. The Wilderness and
solitary place shall rejoice, and the desert
shall rejoice and blossom as the rose l
look forward to that glorious day when
that vast continent shall be fully popu-
lated with civilized and religious people,
when heavenly wisdom and virtue and
all that can civilize and bless the children
of men shall cover that part Of the globe
as the waters cover the seas"
AS the orator warmed up to his subject,
glowing with the beatlhc prospect OF
America celebrating the four hundredth
Columbian anniversary. dim visions of
the actual seem to have fitted through
his brain. 1t is true he did not mention
Chicago, or the Worlds Fair, or the Sun
day closing question, but he came much
nearer the mark than many more cele-
brated prophets.
Transported at the thought" he con
tinued, 81 am borne forward to days of
distant renown? In my expanded view.
the United States rise in all their ripened
glory before me. look through and be-
yond every yet peopled region of the
New World, and behold period still
frightening upon period. Where one
contiguous depth OF gloomy wilderness
now shuts out even the beams OF day, l
see now States and empires, new seats Of
wisdom and knowledge, new religious
domeS spreading around. In places now
untrOd by any but savage beasts, or men
as savage as they, l hear the voice Of
happy labor, and see beautiful cities rs-
ing to view, behold the whole continent
highly cultivated and fertilized. full OF
cities, towns and villages, beautiful and
lovely beyond expression. l hear the
praises OF my great Creator sung upon
the banks OF those rivers now unknown
to song. Behold the delightful prospect!
See the silver and gold OF America en-
plOyed in the service of the Lord of the
whole earth! See slavery, with all its
train OF attendant evils, forever abolished
See a communication opened through the
W
from east to west, through Il most fruitful
country. Behold the glory Of God ex-
tending and the Gospel spreading through
the whole land!'
The orator did not confine his informa-
tion to the body of his speech, but APP
pended to the published copy a descrip- /
ton of a new city to be called Washing |
ton, situated at "the junction of the rivers |
Pawtomac1 and the eastern branch" |
There is also added a schedule from the |
first census, then just completed, certi- |
fed to by L. Jefferson, Secretary of State. |
The total population of the United States |
foots up no less than 1926, ,253. Virginia |
leads with 747 600. Pennsylvania follows !
with 434, 600; New York State with It's |
10000 stands fifth; the Northwest Ter |
ritory boasts of 1900. In point of size |
the towns ranked: Philadelphia, New |
York, Boston, Baltimore and Charleston. |
In points OF trade, New York, Philadel- |
phia, Boston, Charleston and Baltimore. |
The future Worlds Fair City was not q |
rival.
For two years after the delivery of this |
Grafton Mr.. Winchester continued to STIR |
up his British auditors with his pleas for |
universal liberty as well as universal sal /
walton. Returning to this country in |
1874, he died at Hartford in 1797.-lnter- !
Ocean.