Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-08-18
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

judicious intervals. Washington Star
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
Interesting New Documents Respecting
His Life and Character.
The discovery by the superintendent
of the Military Archives of Madrid of
documents, probably setting at rest the
doubts that formerly existed as to the
birthplace of Columbus, must have
awakened new interest in the history
of the most renowned discoverer of the
past. 1t is to be noted, however, that
the documents only affirm tradition, for
Genoa has always been the admiraPs
accredited birthplace. But if the dis
covery should lead to nothing but
more careful investigation of the rec.
ords of his later history, it will have
been of use
The character of Columbus has been
greatly misunderstood, and his six hun
dred biographers have in turn invested
him with the glory of the religious
hero and the contumely of the ill-tem-
pered and cracls-brained adventurer.
An impartial critic must admit, indeed,
that he was something of both, though
more of the hero than the adventurer
and that his biographers have erred
considerably in what Mr. r. L. Steven
son would call their point of view"
Educated, as it is supposed, in the
local schools of Genoa, and for a short
period at the university of Pavia, the
youthful Columbus must have come in
contact with the scholars of the day.
Naturally of religious temperament,
the piety of the learned would early
impress him, and to this may possibly
be attributed the feeling that he had
been divinely selected, which remained
with him until his death.
There is little doubt that he began his
career as sailor, at the age of four
teen, with the sole object OF plumber.
The Indies were the constant attraction
for the natives of Venice and Genoa:
the Mediterranean and the Adriatic were
filed with treasure ships. In these cir
cumstances it is not to be wondered that
the sea possessed a wonderful fascina-
cion for the youth of these towns. This
op1lence was the constant envy of
Spain and Portugal, and Columbus was
soon attracted to the latter country by
the desire of Prince Henry to discover
a southern route to the Indies. 1t was
while in Portugal that he began to be-
lieve that his mission on earth was to
be the discoverer Of new route to the
land of gold-"the white mans god. ;"
For ten years he resided in Lisbon, from
time to time to time making short voy-
ages, but for the most part engaged
! drawing maps to procure himself liv-
ing. Here he married, here his son
Diego was born, and here his wife,
who died, at an early age, was buried.
Toscanello at this time advanced the
theory that the earth was round, and
Columbus at once entered into corre-
spondence with him on the subject, and
was greatly impressed with the views
| of the Florentine scientist, both as to
the sphericity of the world and the
wonders of the Asiatic region. Heresy-
hunting was then a favorite pastime,
and Columbus, in accepting these the
cries. ran no small risk of losing his
life. Portugal and France in turn re-
jected his offers to add to their depend
encies by discoveries, and though his
brother found many in England willing
to give him the necessary ships to start
on his adventures, Spain, after much
importuning on the part of the explorer,
forestalled our own country.
Then followed his four eventful voy-
ages with al their varying fortunes,
and his death when over seventy years
of age, in wretched condition of pow.
erty. The ready consideration of the
cries, not only dangerous, but so as
founding in their character as to throw
discredit on those who advanced them,
shows him to have been man of intel.
lcctual courage. Humility was another
trait of his character, and in all his life
it cannot be said that he acted in any
but an honest and straightforward
manner toward his fellow men.
1t is true no doubt, that his recogni.
ton of slavery somewhat dims his rep
utation. He sold many Indians as
slaves, but it should be remembered
that slavery prevailed at the time, and
it was only on his second voyage, wher
hard pressed for means to reimburse
the Spanish treasury for the immense
expense of the expedition, that he re
'-rted to the barter in human flesh
fadeed, his friendly relations with the
natives show that as rule he mus
have treated them in the kindly man
ner which characterized all his actions
Throughout the reverses of his Ions
career, whether received with sneers
Landed as a benefactor of his country
put in chains by crafty fellow subjects
or defrauded by an INSCRIPTIONS prince
of the profits of his discoveries, he con
tinued a man of an eminently lovabl,
character, kind to his family, his ser
wants and even his enemies. Americana
are to do honor at the Columbian eXhi
bition to the name of him who, though
not the first white man to land on tn
shores of the new world, was the frs
to colonize its fertile islands. Not onl,
America, but the whole world, ma,
emulate his virtues with advantage
for, even now, justice and mercy, cour
age and meekness do not always abid
ogether.-Glasgow Times.
Lady (engaging servant)-"Hav
you any referencesy Raw Countr.
| Girl-ss,Vhat no them unor1,y' Tadv-
"Why, can you tell me any people VIII
know your character" Raw Count
Girl (grinning)-"Yes, surely; but
bean't 50 silly as to tell yelH~Pupch