Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-10-22

the hero of America. He discovered the earth of the country, but the Puri- tans are the discoverers of the morality of the country" A criticism from a Boston paper was then read. "The fact that there is another opinion, another side to the question of the character of Columbus, however," said the speaker, is evident from the fact that the Catho lie church, so careful in such matters, has had the enrolling of his name in the list of saints under consideration. The facts are probably between the different estimates: Columbus was neither a knave nor fool, ,tyrant, ,bigot nor humbug, but man worthy to be commemorated by the American people on such day in which we live.
 Napoleon was great by his in- tellectual power and force of will; on the other hand Columbus was great be- cause providence had made him great. Yet he possessed great moral qualities, sufficient to place hIm high in the age m which he lived. Compared with the men of his day he lowered far above them, and was vastly superior to many who followed him in succeeding voy- ages. He was a man who was hospi- table to men, and possessed of ideas of enlightenment. He had profound con- victions. His intellect led him to cer- tain conclusions, he believed profoundly in his intelligence and had the will power to transmute his convictions into action, to get others to act with him until on that Friday long ago he had set out on the dark and stormy sea. He h Id the spirit of adventure-that spirit of adventure which has sent Americans nearer to the North Pole than ever be- fore. He had the courage to do and the courage to endure"
 The speaker graphically described the voyage, the crew and all the difficulties with which Columbus had to contend, attributing to providential experience the facts of interesting the prior of the Franciscan monastery to take up his case, the assistance of Isabella of Spain, the voyage and the return. He spoke feelingly of the last years of Columbus, sent home bound in chains, prematurely old, and dying in abject poverty, and said: We look to another world to do justice to such man, to commemorate such actions. It is but simple justice that man who did as much as Colum- bus should receive the honor which IS due him. The celebration of the dis covery of America, however, iS greater tn an the celebration of the discoverer Columbus. The great new world de- serves commemoration." The history of succeeding voyages and settlement was concisely told until the time when the sea was no longer one of darkness. The marvellous intermingling of the nations was depicted in glowing words, the picture of the Spanish, English, Dutch and French coming from their re- spcctive countries until America, first the refuge of the old worlds has become the home of the new world, was drawn in a masterly manner. "We live in perfect harmony" continued the speak CT. "The best race is that in which the largest number of qualities can be united. The Saxon, Roman, Greek, Celtic and Jewish races have certain ad- vantages which they have preserved, which have made them distinct races. The future will bring before us race in which will be Intermingled all the qualities which cause rejoicing in nationalities, and that race shall rejoice | most in being American citizens" After another selection by the band
 Mayor Webster introduced Rev Dr Martin.
 "In looking over the volumes of the
 worlds history" began the speaker, 5 i've are attracted to the lives of few men, an Aristotle in the logical world and following a St Thomas, and in our own age a Brownson. We are at
 tracted by such men as Caesar, Napo- | leon, Washington, Lincoln and Grant.
 But tonight we would pass over those
 names and let our minds rest on Chris
 topher Columbus"
 The speaker pictured the religious
 side of Columbus life and character
 from childhood, showing its commence
 ment in the city of Genoa, and speaking
 of the childlike innocence of the people
 of that city. The beautiful bay of Genoa, covered with the ships of all
 nations at the present day, from which Columbus drew the nautical spirit which led to the discovery of new world was
 brought to the minds of the audience. On those points the religious sentiment
 and the nautical sentiment of the
 Genoese, did the speaker build his dis
 course. The line of description through
 the childhood, youth and manhood of the great dlscoverer was similar to that folio wed by Dr Anderson, though more
 in detail, and with greater leaning tc
 the religious.
 Coming down to the United States
 the speaker compared them with European countries, the latter support
 ing and maintaining standing armies
 drawing the young men away from the
 pursuits of art and science. ''Tht
 American youth of to-day said Dr Mar
 tin, "enter the universities of Paris anC
 take the first places, and Germany anC
 France say that their sons are in the
 armies. Well, this is point for Amer
 cans. Art is supported principally by
 the American people and the English.
 The speaker urged the adopting of { . distinctive national style of architecture
 especially for our churches. The build l ing of parks and libraries and monu l ments was dwelt on, and the youth en couraged to stimulate the example O. Columbus, and all to be proud of ant give due honor to the man who had don' and suffered so much and had dis covered the glorious country in whicl we live.
 After Dr Martin had concluded thu choir sang ''The Star Spangled Banner } and the audience rose and joined in tn chorus. Mayor Webster ended tn , evenings entertainment by thanking l for the committee, all who had takel , part.
 NOTES.
 A unique decoration was that dis played at the front of the store of W. R 1I k1,4 ,N1a nr,