The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-11-12

aeyer was apobler mind weigh he'd down byI|
/ heavier burden; never did q loftier pur-I
pose inspire human soul than that which, Ga
impels this old man to- dare the dangers
81 the mystery enshr ouded west. Never |
Vas human task more difficult N it's
alIc,oomp lishment, more sublime il it's ex '
eoution, more tremendous in it's signifi--
canoe than that to which this old man
had set his heart with an nnconqu erable
faith, for there upon that desk, still
peering to the west, stood the hero OF
navigation, the immortal sailor OF Genoa,
Christopher Columbus.
This is the man who for nearly twenty
years had braved the taunts and sneers
and ridicule OF the world; who had been
deceived, baffled and discounted by the
kings and princes OF Europe. This is
the great mariner whose perseverance
and success underso many trials, against
such stubborn obstacles. in the midst OF
such general disbelief, stands without
parallel in the annals of the sea.
For weeks have these three barks been
sailing through unknown waters and
yet no sign of fand. For many days
have the crew been discouraged, discon-
tented and mutinous. For many hours
the great mariner himself has not left
his post upon the deck Of the Santa
Maria, but stands there ever facing the
west, the embodiment OF one sublime
purpose, as though his very soul were
staked upon it's accomplishment What
dreams must come to him through the
silent watches of the night as he gazes
across the dark and mysterious water
Dreams of sailing around the world and
proving the correctness of his theory
Dreams OF new lands. and pagan peoples
to be ohristianized! Vague dreams OF
India with it's silks and spices, it's gold
and precious stones, it's gilded fanes and
crystal cities, it's temples, mo qnes and
palaces!
And what doubts and misglvings must
at times torture his constant sou as ne
gazee hour after hour acr SO the deep
and yet no sign Of land. Is his grand
theory but a dream? Has all bis lie
been wasted chasing phantom? Sh.tl]
his venture end in destruction to himself
and crew? Shall that crew carry OIL;
their purpose of throwing him overboard
or shall he submit to their demands and
return to Spain? Return to Spain and
confess himself mistaken! Return tt
Spain and meet the reproach of the king
the sneers of the learned. the jibes and
ridicule of the ignorant! Return tc
Spain to be branded us visionary u fan
attic, mailman, an imposter! Return tc
Spain! No. The simple faith Of this
God fearing man forbids. The stout
heart of Columbus never fails. His
eyes still gaze to the west.
Standing there in the lonely night
listening to the waves splashing against
tho sides OF his little vessel, columbus
dreams OF the future and muses. over the
past. He thinks of his childhood; how
he sported with his brothers and sisters
by tbs blue waters OF the Medite, ranean
| He thinks OF the rough life he LED
with the sailors of Genoa, now coastine
from port to. port, and now battling with
pirates upon the high sea. He thinks OF
the girl he married when boy, and the
strange stories she often told him of her
fathers voyages along the coast Of
Africa; he thinks Of the years of study he
spent in forming his grand design and
the years of misery he suffered in putting
it into execution. He thinks of Portugal
and the treachery Of its king. He thinks
Of SPAN. Again he lives through his
seven years of waiting IN that sunny
land; again he stands before King Fer.
dinand; again he declares that the Mprlo
is round that by sailing west he vggll]
reach India; that in India there IS wealth
and empire for the king; that in Indid
there are millions of human souls to be
converted to the christian faith; that
India is the west. But Ferdinand is
doubtful. He must have the opinion Of
the learned. Columbus goes before the
council at Salamanca. He answers the
questions of the astronomers. He argues
with the professors. He cites the opin-
ions of the wise Of other lands. He ex-
poses the errors Of the dull and psdantic
men who oppose him. He rebukes the
bigotry of jealous priests by prophetic
texts from their own bible. He declares
to that learned body of friars and doc
tors and dignitaries of the church that
they must hear him; that he is chosen
by God; that he is pleading the cause of
God, the cause OF holy church and OF q
pagan people beyond the sea; that they
must hear him for he pleads the cause
of ne ! world and OF future genera
tions. But the council of Salamanca
will not listen. The council Of Salamanca