The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-10-12

persisted through years of rebuff and
disappointment until he had inspired
Tiers with his belief and secured
he ships and men and means to put
lis theory to the test; who, in an age
If extravagant fancy and wild specu-
alton. did something practical. Per-
iaps, those hardy Norsemen, whose
ude Gods set an example in daring
,hysical hardships, had found the
ugged coast of North America. but
heir exploits had not affected the
utilization of the world, which at
hat day laid to the southwark, where
iecay is now most manifest.
Times were ripe for a Christopher
columbus. and mark you, Christopher
Columbus was prepared for his task.
10 mere numbskull he. Christopher
Columbus had been educated by a
hrifty wool comber of a father; had
studied mathematics and the natural
sciences; had read much of naviga-
ion and, gathered a vast quantity of
iata. which didn't fit in well with the
theories of his time. other men had
advanced the theory that the world
vas round. and they were regarded
ls just a trifie heretical in their be
,lefs.
Columbus adopted the profession
)f sailor. and fioated into a port OF
Portugal on board one day after a
shipwreck. He stayed there where
circumstances placed him and mar
ried the daughter of a provincial gov
ernor of the realm. At Porto Santo,
OF Madeira, he read the log and
studied the maps of his father-in-law,
who had been a naval captain. He
learned of strange driftwood that
came from the westward. and ships
venturing out to sea reported birds
and vegetation. that indicated land.
II their presence were to be given a
rational Interpretation.
But superstition was strong then
as it is today, ard people reasoned
from principles to facts. instead of
from facts to principles. Columbus
was learned man and a daring sail
or and he believed the earth was
small and India lay directly to the
westward. Thither he would sail.
and make whomsoever helped him,
rich and satisfy his own opinion He
first applied to Portugal, and the
king sent out secretly, an expedition,
which became disheartened and re-
turned. Then began Columbus long
seige of the court OF Spain. twice
leaving the country and twice being
recalled. At last he secured his
three small ships and 120 men and
set sah westward into the unknown.
1t is impossible to realize the quail
ity of moral courage necessary to do
what Columbus did. Men today de-
fly death in seeking the earth's poles,
flying through the air or diving be-
meath the deep. They feel that they
can but die. But Columbus had
more to face. Death was not all:
for the accumulated superstiticns OF
all the Pagan ages that had preceded
his. had peopled the deep with mons
ters, whose frightful mein and con-
duct outweighed the thought of
death. His men we're stepped in su-
perstition. and even though a brave
leader inspires his men. the con-
verse Is equally true. that the super
stitious dread OF the men is apt to
be communicated to the leader. Is II
possible TO believe that Columbus
never had a thought of turning back?
Suffice II to say. that, after sailing
from August to October -. they |
sighted land that the faith of Co
compelling faith of Co
justified: that a new
world was discovered; and that. how
ever much we owe to other men for
the blessings we enjoy, we must re-
member that Christopher Columbus
sailed through a sea Of superstition
into new world of reality. and gave
TO the earth a heritage OF liberty, |
hat today is at last disturbing after
nearly 500 years the very court by
whose bounty Columbus was enabled
10 fit out his expedition.