The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-22
THAT ANCIENT MARINER.
continued From Fifth Page.

clare with one VOICE, tlltbb HIS s3lCdIuCoo
was more evident in his consistency of
purpose, his unfailing courage in dis
tress and defeat, and his victory over adj
verse fortune.
Thus also when consider one friend
less man, who despite the opposition of
the world. sets himself to one great pur-
pose; whether behold him begging food
for himself and child at the monastery
door. or laboring, representing, petition
ing from court to court for Il years; OF
alone withstanding the fears, the muir
mars. the threats Of his whole company
at sea.
Fellow citizens, if this be not true
greatness, know not where from my
Watchtower of centuries | can present IL
to you.
1 am not here to discuss the
Carpings and Criticisms
of ancient or modern faultfinders. Look
hack upon what was said of Lincoln, or
of Washington himself and see whether
greatness can escape the tongue or pen
of envy. That Columbus was mortal
man, we are not disposed to deny. But
if you would judge of the tit OF his
clothes, do not dress him up in a COS
tune of present usages, ideas and haDlts,
and thus try him by your modern
scales.
In like manner, when you would judge
of the great Isabella, the woman, the
wife, the queen, go back to her Gay.
Consider a nation at war Tor elgnt nun
bred years, anxious to drive OUT open
enemies by war; secret enemies by
watching espials, the inquisltlon, II you
will. and do not commit the absurd
RI alone flG
crime of religious persecution. was
Germany or Sweden or England tree
from it? Was there an inquisition
known even in New England? Was
there none in our late unpleasantness, as
we love to call it?
Outsiders sometimes say that even
now. there is shadow OF lnqulsltlon IN
this State of Maine, inquiring and regula-
ting the details of life with persistent
scrutiny. =,
But let it all pass. Men are alike in
every age and like circumstances Will
produce like results. leave Columbus
to your thoughts. He was CathGlc,
Roman Catholic, devoted Catnoic.
Forgive him that. There was nothing
else known to Christendom except in the
schism of the East or in obscure corners
of the West. If he was Catholic, SO
were the Cabots from England, and all
tbe navigators of his time and for CEN
fury after him.
From other imputations and accusa-
tons shall not attempt to defend him.
/ shall not deny that he was man.
mortal man, by whom worldly success,
and honor. and rank, and riches were
sought. But from my watch tower, as
witness of passing generations, must
declare that mistaken as he was as 10
the exact land he had discovered, no adj
yenturer ever went forth with a more
definite object in view; no hero ever
overcame greater obstacles!
And surely, all who read his manlfes-
tos. his letters, OF his prayers, will adj
NIT that no man known as a layman in
history ever set forth with nobler, purer,
or more Christian views and hopes for
fine conversion of the nations to the
truths CT the Gospel
This much of Columbus. What
The Results of That Discovery
have been, the world recognizes, and the
world has applauded. The 400th ami
versary has passed into history.
What the results have been to us as a
country and as a nation, we all see, or
try to see.
Historians and essayists, partisans,
claim for that individual, this race or
that Congress, all that is good, glorious
and noble in our Constitution and laws.
All like to think well of themselves. But
from my watch tower. I discern that
while men with their puny strength and
imperfect knowledge, build of rough,
rude and misftting blocks, there is a
Providence, "a destiny that shapes our
Ie hox a G we ms
is the architect. The very diversity of
races and views and consciences, which
shared in the original struggle for ma
tional life and independence softened the
asperities of former legislation, and the
common dangers endured together COM
PEELED the early founders to recognize a
common brotherhood in the different
races. who had fought for our liberty.
descend from my tour as a witness OF
past events. And as Bishop l pray
that centuries yet to come may enjoy in
peace, in union, this goodly heritage
which is ours today. As an individual
who has lived long and seen much OF
other countries and nations, with sat
isfaction which every year increases, l
repeat with our great statesman ana Or
ator, Daniel Webster: "Thank God, yes,
thank God, l too am an American.
Augustus f. Moulton, Esq,
spoke of the influence of Columbus
discovery on the development of govern
ment by and for the people. Speaking
of Columbus himself, he said: ut was
no common courage that could lead with
out hesitation in direction where the
wisest predicted nothing but disaster
and death. Columbus has been called a
fanatic In some respects it may be that
he was such. The world owes some
thing to fanaticism. 1t has carried men
forward in times and places where cool
and considerate judgment would not
dare to tread. But it is little to the pur-
pose to discuss the character of the indi-
vidual To my mind whas he was mat
tiers little in comparison with what he
did. He was the instrument used by
Providence to begin the development of
a continent where an opportunity should
be given for the reign of the common
people. This country has from the first
seemed to be a child of destiny. We can
follow in successive steps its discovery,
settlement and growth, and see how all
things have combined to make it what it