The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-10-28
COLUMBUS.
Mankato, MINI.

-Four hundred years ago today, new
style, being the 18th day of October,
1892, old style, Christopher Columbus
first saw the fringe of land that mark
ed the discovery of a new continent.
AS we view our surroundings and note
the spread of civilization over the
broad eXpanse within the borders OF
the United States, and the progress
that has been made in changing this
land from vast wilderness to one OF
the most powerful nations upon the
face of the globe, it is hard to realize
that it is the work of less than four
centuries, and more especially so as we
look upon the age of Europe, and note
wherein we have in many respects
surpassed it.
The man who owes allegiance to
our flag, whether he may have been
born upon our soil or in foreign lands,
who is not proud and thankful for be-
ing an American citizen, is to be pit
led indeed for the sluggishness of his
blood. He who can feel no thrill of
joy as he stands beneath the folds OF
our national flag and recollects the
privileges and liberties that it stands
for, is dead to the finer sensibilities of
man.
The commemoration of the discov-
cry of America means much, for it
marks the grandest development of
American civilization, and that means
the best Of modern civilization,
while the special honor that is given
to Columbus, the navigator who
broke away from the prejudices and
superstitions of his times, and turning
ing his face across dark and path
less ocean, thereby changing the
course of the history Of the ages, is
but the grateful consideration of a
people who recognize the debt they
owe him.
The position which the name and
fame of Columbus will occupy in his
tory has long since passed beyond all
question. The verifying of all facts
in regard of any navigator who may
have preceded him will not detract
one jot from the honor which is his,
for Columbus awoke slumbering
world, and was the means of warming
the blood of progress into new life.
The light which he saw upon the
morning of his discovery 400 years
ago, was the light of promise to hui
manity, and on that morning was
burning the new liberty which we
now enjoy, and which little by little
is penetrating the entire world. 1t
is said that only few names stand
the test of corrosive time, but no one
will question the fact that the name
of Columbus is one of these few, and
as long as America and the story OF
it's glories are known to man, the
name of Columbus will be honored
He belongs to no one country. The
land which gave him birth and the ma.
tion which made it possible for him tc
make the voyage, can justly claim
the honor due them, but the achiey-
ments of Columbus place him be.
yond the pale of any nation, and he
belongs to humanity.
And from the voyage of Columbus
has grown our greatness. Despite
of all the cruelties which the western
continent has witnessed and the
stains which we all wish might be
wiped out, it's influence upon the
world has been for good, and it has
taught the nations of the old world
that the arts and followings of peace
are far more sublime than the trap.
pings and ravages of war.
Probably the most pleasant feature
in the commemoration of this day
has been the part taken nv the school