The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-01
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA
BY MAMIE s. LoNGLEy.

In he year 1887 Columbus sought the court
Of Saain. For twenty years lie had been 4
wandeler In the countries OF Europe. asking
the means for his much-Scorned enterprise.
Refused even In the land OF his birth, the
Genoese turns 10 Spain. IN the mids OF the
war then going on the discOverer is only given
temporary assistance, but this ray of hope Is
not 10 be rejected and the better pant of five
years Columbus spends waiting for the aid he
so sOrely needs. Granada having been con
quered, lie again pleads his cause.
he rulers were celebrating the defeat Of the
| Moors, and In the JOY OF success their hearts
were Softened toward the world. The magma
! ton of Isabella was fired, her wOmany heart
| touched, and her mind filled with a noble de-
sire TO aid This man who Ind srent bis life in
pursuance OF his one plan II was in This
spirit that the Queen pledged her wells 10 the
shrine Of the enterlIiSe-iewels which have
sunk into insignfcance beside the glory of the
altar.
When Columbus had received his dispensa-
| ton. his trials had hut begun. Who would ac-
company dreamer into sea filled with mon
Sters? Who wonld follow an unknown adyen.
turrr 10 an unknown land? AT last, In the LILLE
town OF Paio>, man OF Ike spirit WAS found.
Great rrwards were offered to whoever would
sail with Columbus. The month of AUGUST OF
the year so eventful in history had come ere
all was in readiness. Three caraves were an
ehofed IN The little harbOr; their sailors spent
their last night on Lanai Columbus. at the
convent OF La Rabida, paced the floor and
prayed Tor faYorinG wind. At dawn the
breeze came and the great discoverer OF the
future stood. half trembling. on the threshold of
new life. There was no hing 10 delay him.
save the fears of his sailors. Their go0d-bys
had In them all the solemnily Of death, for few
who stood on The beach ever hoped to see again
The fathers, husbands, lovers, friends. who had
cast heir fate with the Nina, the Pinta, and the
Santa Maria The great discoyerer alone was
calm. but it was the calm of a deep mind in
solemn meditation aud silent prayer.
. Alone alone all, all alone;
Alone on the Wide, wide sea.
SKY above. sea below, and an awful stiffness
peIvading all. On the deck Columbus wrapped
in thought; below the sailors plotting mutiuy
Spain lies many, many DAYS behind them;
what lies ahead? The ormy sailors and their
calm command meet. The latter is brought
70 terms. II they DO not sight land within a
liked time they Will turn back. Some people Of
lhe present day repioach Columbus for hiding
from his crew the distance they had gone; but
TO his discretion we owe lie discovery OF
America.
"Land!' comes from the Pinta. 1t Is no false
alarm his time. Clearly defined against the
sky are the outlines OF one OF the Bahamas
In the course OF Il few hours sail The pretty
green island is before the eyes of the eager men.
Columbus steps from his ship. and. with
he deep PASSION OF his nature, knePls
10 KISS the blessed ground which he has Sc n
only in his dreams. The Indian Inhabitants
gladly greet this strange man. whose face
manners aud Garb seem to point to the fact
grounds" The mind of Columbus is nued
with religious zeal; In these dusky-faced broth
eIs lie sees future converts 10 his Catholic
lalln, IN inns beautiful island new domains for
Spain aud the church, and Thru of triumph
goes through his heart as lie thinks That ChIls-
tobai Colon, as lie was known i'll Spain. goes
back to the world, which he left as a wild ad.
veniurer. diScoverer and hero.
Several months Columbus suends in cruising
among the West midas, giving to each new
island some appropriate Spanish name. In the
gratitude Of his heart, the first land Is called
San Salvad OF.
1t is only the siorm-tossed Pinta that seeks
The friendly port of Lisbon. Columbus pauses
ia
With the true loyalty of his nature turns 10 The
littl- PalOs that babe him adisu. AT the sight
OF the one remaining caraycl, The e. les OF Joy
from the whole town of Palos welcum ed The
uiScoveier home.
A triumphal march brings the discoverer TO
tie count Of Ferdinand aud Isabella. Royal
etiquette Is thrown aside, and, seated I'm The
presence of tile kiug and QUEEN Coiumhus
tells The story of his voyage-snowinC in that
recital The cloak OF mOdesiy which covers but
does not obscure the noble nature of tie man
Columbus is praised and encouraged ana yoes
from the lTesence of lie sovereigns victroy OF
the New World.
But how suddenly another turn OF fortunes
wheel dragged down Columbus from a hetos
throne! While his laure i are yet green lhpy
are torn from him TO be replaced by chains
Even the discovery of new world Is oues.
toned. aud the lands lie has discovered bear
Tie name OF mapmaker whose part in The dis
coYery has been TO draw rude sketch OF the
country Columbus had found. Thus the noble
lie closed aEilu the cloudSOf sorrow which had
been lifted such - short time. and the name of
Christopher Columbus sank into temporary OBJ
iiyiou.
Years have gone by since that eventful morn
ing when Columbus and his feet first sighted
land, but the name of The great dlscoveier is
llonoied to-day as never before. And | think
the reason for hiS must be that never before
have we so fully realized tile magnitude OF his
discovery. This last century has developed
possibilities OF which Columbus never dteanied
Felhaps, after all, the disappointment OF his
hopes worked for the best. lie desired a land
devoted TO the Catholic religion. We have a
country broad enough 10 embfac. every re-
ligioD. He planned. To add America 10 The do
Biu1on OF spain. We stand alone, u seIf-goy-
efned nation-a nation which perpetHates the
honor due 10 HE dScoVerer and tie greatness
OF BIS discovery. And the debt Of honor which
we owe 10 him who made our nation possible
can he Paid only In one way-by living so
nobly mat our country's justice may never he
polluted. our honor never stained aud the stars
and stripes forever float
DER the land of the free
And the home of the brave