The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-21

The fouT-hundredth anniversary of one Of
- ne gEandest epOehs in the history OF the
ForId-the discovery Of America by Chris
opher Columbus-is being celebrated with
becoming splendor throughout Christen-
iOm. The story Of the immortal achieve
ment of the great navigator is go familiar
to every citizen of this great country that it
would he a work of supererogation to do
more than give it passing mention.
The discovery of America equaled new
creation; it changed the history of the
world. The horizon of history and the uni
verse was enlarged. The earth was found
70 be more extensive, more beautiful, richer
than had been dreamed. From the ocean
waves a country emerged. illuminated by a
more brilliant sun. watered by larger rivers (;
surprising by the fertility of lis soil, the
magnifeenee of its forests and the abun-
dance of its mines. the narrow resources Of
Europe.
But from various causes it was not till
than two centuries and half after
Columbus time that this new world, with
all its superior advantages to older lands.
began to take place among the civilized
portions Of the globe.
How rapid and grand has been its devel-
opment since! People from every nation
and cline have flocked to its hospitable
shores to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness, the three cardinal principles
in It's glorious constitution.
Its immense natural wealth, its wonder
full progress in literature. science and art,
its supremacy in manufactures and COM
merce, the inventive genius and extra
ordinary push and enterprise Of Its citizens
are the envy and admiration Of the nations
Of the Old World.
II Spain was the brightest jewel in the
mODRrchical diadem at the close OF the nj
teenth century. the great American republic
is surely the brightest jewel in either the
monarchical or republican diadem at the
close of the nineteenth.
Some of the leading results in the eivili-
zatioD of the world that have flowed from
the discovery Of America and other subject:
of interest are presented in the following
contributions from the pens of men and
women eminent in their sphere, which have
been specially prepared for THE CALL
Among the contributors are Joaquin Miller,
Professor Holden of the Lick Observatory,
Professor Bacon of the State University. j.
W. Powell. director OF the United States
Geological Survey, Professor Holder,
the well-known naturalist Professor
Eisen of the Academy of Sciences; Rev.
Father Gleeson Of st. AnthOny's Church,
East Oakland Elisha Brooks, principal oi
the Girls High School; Lieutenant Calkins Of
The United States navy, recognized author.
ity on ordnance; Captain Merry. the popu-
lar merchant and steamship man; Miss Rose
OHalloran, one of the most gifted astron-
omers on the coast, and Mrs. Katharine
Brandegee, botanist at the Academy Of
Sciences.
The able paper prepared by Rev. Father
GleesOn touches upon a subject OF vast his
torical interest, and is Of special value at &
time like this. twas contributed By specia
request mot with the view Of detractinG
In the smallest from the merits Of the illus.
trious navigator. but solely In the interest:
of historical TRUTH" as Father Gleeson aptly
puts it. The reverend father believes tha
IL scientific commission were appointed
BY the Federal Government to examine the
mounds from Massachusetts, to the Pacific
Coast. the results would astonish the world