The morning call., 1893-03-26
THE SAN JOSE ESSAYS.
Literary Efforts of Mr.. Yagle and
Miss Osgood.
Following are the two prize essays from
The DISCOVERY OF AMERICA BY COLUMBUS.
BY j. PoRrFRFIELp YAGLE.

BY j. PORTERFIELD YAGLE.
The theme before Us IS so broad Ia its signif-
caRce, so mighty IN Its Importance, that endless
volumes Nigh, be produced from this never
failing source.
II viii be impossible TO relate in brief space
The incidents which occurred previous TO the
discovery, The obstacles which rose ike mOuu-
ianS before Coumbus-mouufalns which none
but man Of coulage aud perseverance could
have passed.
Review with US the scenes OF the night before
The eyentUl discovery was made: I he great
admiral sleeps. The hardshirs Of the voyage
fail not 10 leave their trace upon him; his hand
some face bears carewOin expression; his att.
tude Is that Of exhaustion.
What thnk you are the thoughts OF tie
sieeprr2 Are they Of his present perllous posi-
toH? Aie they Tegretfuily reviewing the scenes
OF loving home? Or are they conferred upon
some future event. some imaginary landscape
hllad Win lie ana beauty? We are inclined to
think That they arr Of tie latter TeIla ps OF that
beauleous land sin wrapped In obscuTiIy. For,
look you! smile pl ysupUn his lips; surely, his
dreams are pleasant.
Harkl what cry is that which breaks the still
ness OF lie night? From the vanguard comes
the welcome shout OF Land Land 20 Jhe
sleeper awakens; he peers forth into lie dark
ness. In tie distance he behOds light moving
10 and fIo. Does It Issue from land? Casting
anchor they wait IN suspense for the morrow
land.
We must leave these memorable scenes. We
must proceed 10 discuss this topic from tile
standpoint most dear, most holy 10 Us as Amer
leans. We must relate the results Of tins dlscnY-
cry as affecting the welfare not only OF our
selves, but Of the world.
Unll tie memorable date 1892 the then known
world vas as ignorant Of tie existence OF other
lands as Is Pinto Of the ways Of righteousness
A. tile sun diSpels The f which at times hangs
like veil above the land. so did this discovery
clear tie mist OF ignorance from the minds OF
the people. No longer was Il believed that the
earh was an eNpanse OF level and lmpene,rable
vacancy. No longer was Columbus called "fOOl'
because he thought tie earth TO be round Even
then The light OF intelligence began 10 glimmer IN
the minds Of the masses. Other VOYAGES were
made and other lands were discovered
For season, all too short Columbus was the
nero of the hour. he received, for a time, that
honor due lhe benefactUr OF nations Then the
world, iHsolent in its prosperity, turned against
the au nor OF It's crOwnlng success. Thus Il was
thai Columbus. the herald OF a new era, died In
chains, fTleudless aud alone,
Although lie has departed. still remains the
monument of his glory-his discovery. Look
where we may, in every land, In every station OF
life. The results Of this discovery are manifest
The European world was filled. even to The
6Tlm, with Inhabitants. what wonder. then,
mat some sought homes upon the fruitful shores
OF The ne" land. Here they found, what is
favorable TO all, liberty. Here they found more
than his, land ineXhaustlble In It's resources
lnestimable In Its wealth, unapproachable In its
fertility.
From those early settlers has sprung nation.
proud aud Independent Ia peace. inVincible In
saI. linus we see that our dearest interest, yes,
even OUT existence as nation, depends upon
lhe discovery Of America by Columbus"
This you say, lis but America How has
The world been affect d?" Our land Is as essen
llal TO The world as sunlight 10 the plant OF color
to The painting When The Chinese wish to gain
wealth 10 what country do they sail? To Amer
lea. when the grain crop OF Europe fails where
does she obtain her suppIes2 From America.
When prophecy Is asked what land snail rule the
world. whittier does she turn her gaze2 Toward
Americd.
Thus we see that all naI0ns, from wde-a awake
England 10 dTOwsy China, look upon this, our
land. for assistance OF one kind or another
Since Columbus discovered America does This
not prove that ali are indebted TO him?
NOW The cry is heard, III Columbus had not
discovered This land some other explorer would
Magellan, the Cabots. or some other OF his
successors. Not sol For ages America had
ben unknown 10 thF old world. Why could IL
rot have so remained for ages more2 II required
man OF research, OF ability, OF courage TO
draw the veil Of mystery from a new continent
and that man was Columbus.
his discovery was, as II were. a stepping
70 Iater eXplorers-an example without which,
the chances are, this land would sit be peopled
oY us a0or glnes and this nation stil be a non
en- NY. Therefore, should We be asked whence
We trace our nations biith, safely may We say
10 Christopher Columns