Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-10-22

= n E1,INI'F %of S>f>S~-
HENRY WATTERsON.
TO see the models Of this extraordinary
work of art, can have failed to be
moved by the union, which it embOdies,
OF the antique In history and the cur
rent 10 life and thought, as, begin
ming with the weird mendicant f&intlng
upon the hillside Of Santa Rabida, il
traces the strange adventures of the
Genoese seer from the royal camp Of
Santa Fe 70 the sunny coasts Of the
Isles OF Ide; through the weary watches
of the endless night, whose sentinel
stars seemed set to mock but not to
guide; through the trackless and shore
less wastes OF the mystic sea, spread
day by day to bear upon every rise and
fall OF its heaving bosom the death Of
fair, fond hopes, the birth of fantastic
fears; the peerless and thrilling revela-
tiOnS, and all that has followed 10 the
very moment that 6ehOldS US here, Citi-
zens; freemen, equal shareholders I'm the
miracle Of American civilization and
development. Is there one among US
who does not thank his Maker that he
bratIon, this jubilee Of mankind?
THE MAGNITUDE OF THE THEME.
am appalled, when 1 reflect upon the
pOrtent and meaning Of the Droclama-
tiOn wE'ch has been delivered In our
presence. The painter employed by
thu - r----.r u u render 70 the
uel -r exploit of the peO-
pie, or u )ne, knows in advance
precisely VAL he has 10 do; there is
limit set upon his purpose; his canvas IS
measured; his colOrS are blended, and,
with the steady aud sure hand OF the
master, he proceeds, touch upon touch,
to body forth the forms Of things known
and visible. Who shall measure the can
vas or blend the cOlors that are TO bring
to the minds eye Of the present the scene
OF the past in American glory? Who
shall dare attempt TO summon the dead
TO life, and out Of the tomb of the ages
recall the tones of the martyrs and
heroes whose voices, though silent for
ever, still speak to Us in all that we do
as men and women?
THE RETROSPECT.
We look before and after, and we see
NuNOUAu
Cs through the solemn arChwayS of some
grand cathedral the long procession
pass, as silent and as real as dream;
the caravelS, tossing upon Atlantic bill
lows. have their sails refIied from the
East aud bear away to the West; the
land Is reached, and fulfilled is the vi
sion whose aetualities are 10 be gather
ed by other hands than mis- who planned
the voyage and Steered the bark Of dis
covery: the long-Sought, golden day has
come TO Spain At last, and CaStilian con-
Quests tread one upOn another fast
enough TO pile up perpetual power and
riches.
But even as simple justice was denied
Columbus was lasting tenure denied the
Spaniard.
We look again, aud we see To the far
Northeast the old world struggle be-
tween the French and English transfer
red 10 the new, ending in the tragedy
upon the heights above Quebec; We see
the sturdy Puritans in bell-crOwned
hats and sable garments aSSail In I'M
equal battle the savage and the ele-
ments, overcoming both to rise against
a mightier foe; we see the gay but
dauntless cavaliers. to the Southwark,
ioin hands with the ROundheads In
holy rebellion. And, 10, down from
the green-walled hills Of New England,
3at OF the swampS OF the CarOlinaS,
Nome, family to the ear like far
away forest leaves stirred TO music
by autumn winds, the drum-taps OF
the Revolution; the tramp OF the
minute men, Israel Putnam riding
before; the hOOf-beats of Sumter's
horse galloplng to the front; the thun-
der OF Star6'S guns in Spirit-battle; the
CLEAN of MsriOn's watch-hreS in ghOstiy
bivouac; and there, there in serried,
saint-like ranks on fame'S eternal camp
ing-ground, stand
1.-THE old Continentals,
In their ragged regimentals,
Yielding not,
amid the singing VI angels in
ven, the scene is shut out from our
vision by proud and happy
SEA the rise Of the young Repub-
and the gentlemen Ia knee-breeches
powdered wigs who signed the Dec
ton aud the gentlemen in knee
anes and powdered Wigs woo mSue
7ons,itntiOn. We see the little
meaanced from without We
riaeuien in hunting shirt and
lin swarm from the cabin in the
less &c THE rescue OF country
ne: and our hearts swell to a
and 6ual decree OF indepen-
by the Hrowess and valor
n arms on the land and
A-since there IS
zen with lut its
There 9 aes a
u fatH no
ttle4 OF
I
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