Norwich bulletin., 1916-10-13

known truth that some five hundred years ago men lzne wno such survey of the world and only those of a spec nlativc instinct ventured the sugges- tion that the earth was round instead of flat. The prevalent idea was that there was no such thing as an inhab- tied globe; and all the while a young navigator in Europe led the life Of the seaman, sailing through known waters and forming his mind in a mold, which was destined to be a me mOrable intellectual cast in history. His idea of land in the west was up pernlost in his mind. No doubt, he met and talked with navigators. He discussed his ideas with them and. al thought we have little knowledge of the expansion of his ideas in his early years, we can safely say that the workings of his brain were not those of any ordinary man.
 IndomitabIe Courage.
 Our great admiration for Columbus centers itself on the indomitable cour- age, which he displayed in matching his theory with the almost proven knowledge of others. Although rumors and opinions of the earth's roundness had existence from the time of Pagan writers, in the time of Columbus he stood alone in his desire to put this theory to it's test Sailor of experi- ence though he was, he had to face
 
 him; people ridiculed him: education disproved him. Thus in the face of almost insurmountable barriers Co., lumbus still clung to the dream of a Golden West. where lay a new land and new world
 A Woman, Sailor and a Monk.
 "A woman. a sailor and a monk are the three by whom America was pointed out afar off" A writer thus describes the al nf Cnl7l111- bus plan and t.-G encouragement, which was given to his idea of ex- ploration by Queen Isabella of Spain at the pleading request of Don Perez, the Prior of monastery. She in f1uenced the crown to open negotia- tions for the equipment of an expedi- tion and history gives us the signif- cant date of Aug. 3. 1492, when the people with heavy hearts saw Colum- bus depart on a mission. which was regarded by all as foolhardy and one, from which he would never return. Two months later. October F. 1492, is recorded the discovery of land. the birthday of new continent.
 Opened Up Great Continent.
 These were some of the early strug- gleS of the man of honored memory on this day, who opened up a destined great continent to Christendom and civilization. He did not know the fu- ture of this land nor the power. which she would wiald in history. It can hardly be said that he had visions of a future America. whose boundaries would be an asylum for all Europe each one uniting to make her great and glorious; but he was the occasion of her beginning. and he was the pivot around whom revofves her energetic feats in history. We are. apt to for get the great service. which he rem dered to us. when his flagship, the Santa Maria, brought him to land on this continent, for he must always be regarded as one of our greatest bene- factors. It may be that the lapse of time between his discovery and the commencement of our own republic is So great that we fain would go no further back in our quest for those worthy of our esteem than Washing ton, the father of our country. It may be that we have been too ready to for get the name of the great discoverer, because we underestimate the value of his contribu tien, to the achievements of great men It can be that follow ing the tendency to forget our great benefactors we have given another instance of the lower traits of human nature. Whatever may be the cause, the purpose of today's events is to keep alive his name. to bring back to mind the part he had as sailor and an ex- plorer in laying the foundation of great things on this continent.
 Honor. then, to, whom honor Is due.