Evening star., 1898-12-17

We're quite content with the few fragments
OF case and bones and the little dust they
found; but the Domnicans saw their
finds, and went them better in every in
stance. This, however is giving credencc
to the assertions of the Spaniards that
the Dominicans invented both bones and
casket, inscriptions and sacred dust
But i'll view of the attendant circumstances
of the discovery in 1877, it is hardly prob
able that such fraud could be perpetra-
ted; the theory is untenabIe
In this connection it may be mentioned
that the Dominicans are very proud of the
redlscoVery and take great pleasure in
showing the bones to authorized represen-
tatlNeS of other countries. In fact al
though they are a little dubious as 10 the
deeds and dOings of the great ''CrIstoforo
toIOmOO, they are very sensitive to an
aspersion of the legitimacy of these
bones"
1t may not seem irrelevant for the writer
to assert that the United States once came
near being the temporary custodian of the
bones and dust of Columbus and that if
certain plans had not miscarried the sacred
relics might have been sent as an exhibit
10 the Chicago exposition. As to the fact
tEat such an exhibit might have been
looked upon as something sLcrilegious. it
IS not the writer's province to pass. but
the TACT remains that, but for a concatena-
uon OF contingencies, thousands of our citi-
zenS might have gazed upon the last re-
mains OF the discoverer of America
Agreed to Exhibit Them.
1t came about in this way: The writer
as special agent for the exposition. was
very desirous of securing the participation
of the government OF Santo Domingo in
that exposition, and particularly to have it
reproduce the most famous Of it's historic
houses and castles for representation there.
There was only one thing lacking. and that
was the money for such q purpose The
government, represented by its president
declared without reserve that it WAS nm
anle 10 reproduce anything at all without a
loan, either from the United States or some
patriotic citizen, of at least a hundred
thousand dollars!
With the hundred thousand dollars it
couId 90 wonders and perform whatever
was desired In addition to its exhibit of
the natural resources of the island (Which
are OF little acCOunD, IT would engage IN
reproduce for exhibition the ancient Ho-
menaSe, or Columbus Castle which was
punt IN loU9' and while Don Diego Column
bus was governor of Santo Domingo 1t
would alsO-according to the second nara
Sraph OF the Memorandum of a Convcrsa-
hon between Il Senor General Clises Heu-
FtauX ahd-the Commissioner" amongst
other relics
Exhibit a said Exposition the remains
uos restos) OF the great Discoverer, Don
CrIstobal Colon; with the UNDERSTANDING
however, tnat the Government of the United
states OF America should first manifest its
desire officially for the loan of these re-
mains, and provide for IN cir TRANSFORMATION
10 chicago with all the solemnity and as
surances Of security which these sacred
relics demand"
After reciting the articles to be sent and
agreeing upon an appropriation of at least
$4,000 for the reproduction of the Homen-
age, II is declared that: To accom-
pahy the remains of the Discoverer, Don
CrlstoDdI Colon, to and from America and
guard them during their stay, the Govern
ment VIII name a commission Of six indi
Yiduals, who Will be responsible for the "a
turn OF the precious relics and so on
Might Yet Be Ours,
These paragraphs from hitherto unwrit
ten history are quoted merely to show how
easy 1t might De for us to secure the reaI
remains OF Columbus. and place them nsr-
chance, in the now vacant niche from
which Gen Blanco has taken what he
fondly regards as the only legitimate re-
mains Let commission go down to
Santo Domingo fully empowered to treat
nent exhibit. TO be kept In the cathedral at
Havana. and with or without a guard of
Dominicans Va
Ihat the government OF Santo DOMINGO
Is IN mead OF funds goes without saving: il
Is never in any other condition. AS a sua-
Seston merely. 1t may be hinted that an
extra hundred thousand dollars might he
aoced TO the price we shall, some time, nav
Tor Samana bay. when we TAX. jt IF
then, an underground communication cen,
not be found from Samana bay to the ca
tne1rat OF the capital. the writer's estimate
OF dominican patriotism will have to un-
dergo revision. FA ORER
Foe to Appetite.