Omaha daily bee., 1892-08-07
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
Interesting New Documents Respecting
His Life aud Character.

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 tho
birthplace of Columbus, must have
awakened new interest in the history Of
the most renowned discoverer of the
past, says the Glasgow Times. 1t is to
be noted, however, that the documents
only affirm tradition, for Genoa has
always been the admiral's accredited
birthplace. But IL the discovery should
lead to nothing but u more careful in
vestigation of the records of his later
history, it will have been of use.
The character of Columbus has been
greatly misunderstood, and his 600
biographers have in turn invested him
with the glory Of the religious hero and
the contumely of the ill-tempered and
crack Drained adventurer. An impartial
criUic 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.. II. l.. Stevenson would call
their point of view"
Educated, as 1T is supposed, in the
local schools of Genoa, and for short
period at the University of Pavia the
youthful Columbus must have come in
close contact with the scholars of the
day. Naturally of religious tempera-
ment. the pietv Of the learned would
early impress him, and to this may pos
sibly be attributed the feeling that he
had been divinely selected, which re-
mained with him until his death.
ic a hi hot hn u ic
career as sailor, at tho age of IA, with
the sole object of plunder. The Indies
were the constant attraction for the ma
tives of Venice and Genoa: the
Mediterranean and tho Adriatic were
filed with treasure ships In these cir
cumstances it is not to be wondered that
the sea possessed wonderful fascina-
tion for The youth of these towns. This
opulehcs was the constant envy of Spaiu
and POI ttugal, and Columbus was soon
attracted to the latter country by the
desire of Prince Henry to discover II
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 n new route to the land
of gold-''the white mans god" For
ten years he resided in Lisbon, from
time to time making short voyages, but
for the most part engaged drawing
maps to procure himself a living. Here
he married, here his son Diego was
born, and here his wife, who died at an
early age, was buried.
Toscanelo at this time advanced the
theory that the earth was round, and
Columbus at once entered into CORES
pondence with him on the subject and
was greatly impressed with tho views
OF the Florentine scientist, both as to
the sphericity of the world and the won
ders of the Asiatlc region. Heresy-
hunting was then favorite pastime,
and Columbus, in accepting these the
ories, ran no small risk OF losing his life.
Portugal and France in turn rejected
his offers to add to their dependencies
by his 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 explor-
or, forestalled our own country.
Then followed his four eventfui voy-
ages with all their varying fortunes,
and his death, when over 20 years of
age, in a wretched condition of poverty.
The ready consideration Of theories, not
only dangerous, but so astounding in
their character as to throw discredit on
those who advanced them, shows him to
have been man OF intellectual courage.
Humility was another trait of his char
acter, and in all his life it cannot be
said that he acted in any way but an
honest and straightforward manner
toward his fellow men.
1t is true, no doubt, that his recogni-
tion of slavery somewhat dims his repu-
tation. 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, when hard
pressed for means to reimburse the
Spanish treasury for the immense ex-
pense OF the expedition that he resorted
to the barter in human flesh. Indeed,
his friendly relations with the natives
show that as rule he must have treated
them in the kindly manner which char
acterized all his actions.
Throughout the reverses of his long
career, whether received with sneers,
lauded as benefactor of his country,
put in chains by crafty fellow-subjec ects,
or defrauded by an INSCRIPTIONS prince
of the profits of his discoveries, he con-
tinued a man OF an eminently lovable
character, kind TO his family. his serv-
ants, and even his enemies. Americans
are TO do honor at the Columbian exhi-
bition to the name Of him who, though
not the first white man to land on the
shores of the new world, was the first to
colonize its fertile islands. Not only
America, but the whole world may en-
ulate his virtues with advantages; for,
even now, justice and mercy, courage
and meekness do not always abide to-
gether
Some Peculiarities of Birds and Animals.
''Some animals exhibit queer lack
of sense" says man who has observed
them. Put a buzzard in pen about
six feet square and open at the top and
IL is AS much n prisoner as though it
wore shut up in a box. This is because
buzzards always begin their flight by