The Coolidge examiner., 1932-10-07

structed the great monument that now holds
the remains of the dscoverer and placed it In
the cathedral there, their hope later to
move this tomb to an appropriate structure
crowned by lighthouse Lack of funds made
this impossible and 1t was not until 1914 that
really systematic labors were begun to bring
about the building of the memorial lighthouse
to be participated In by all America.
The leader in this work was William E. Pull
lan, an American, then receiver of Dominican
customs, whose labors resulted in enlisting the
interest of editors and publicists throughout
North and South America Mr. Pulllan also was
the first to appear before the house committee
on foreign affairs. where he explained the pro-
jected memorial and urged the United States
government TO participate in the proposal to
make this testimonial of gratitude OF all the
Americas to Columbus an assured fact.
But international support Of the long-sought
memorial failed to crystalline until 1923 when
the fifth international conference of American
states met at Santiago de Chile. Here a reso-
luton proposed by the Dominican delegate,
Julio NJ. Cestero and unanimously adopted, re-
solved, ITO recommend that all the American
republics unite TO honor the memory of Chris
topher Columbus by the erection of mOnumen-
tai lighthouse which will bear his name on the
coast of Santo Domingo, capital Of the Domini-
can republic and which shall be built with the
cooperation of the governments and people, Of
America and any others who may desire"
On June 81, 1927, the congress of the United
States ratified the action, resolving, that the
several states be notified of the desire of the
people of the United States to participate in
this movement to honor the memory of the great
navigator and discoverer."
Meanwhile the governing committee of the
Pan-American Union, having taken steps to Sc
cure Pan-Amercan cooperation, resolved In
April, 1927 that the Columbus lighthouse be
erected on the coast of Santo Domingo, since
this site is the most appropriate one for rem
dering homage to the memory Of the great navi-
gator. This coast was the first land touched in
the journey which discovered the continent it
was there that the vision Of the New World,
given to civilization by the genius of Columbus
and the zeal Of Spain, assumed reality; it was
in Hispaniola that Columbus wishes his ashes
to rest and there receive the veneration of
America, and it is but just that the monument
to his glory should be erected on the scene of
his fortunes and misfortuneS, near the site of
the first colonial city and near the tomb where
the piety of nation has for centuries done rev.
erence to his remains
"And in order that the offering may be more
nearly perfect and more genuinely expressive of
the significance of the discovery, of the meas
ure of progress and well being brought to hu-
continent discovered by Columbus and of the
contribution of culture brought to civilization
by the intellectual labor of America, the commit
tee believes it would be fitting for each Amer
lean nation to send in addition to pecuniary con-
tribution portion of earth from its soil to be
deposited at the base of the monument and a
product of its art or industry to be used in the
building thereby giving real symbolic signif-
canoe Of what is most fundamental and most
sacred in the national existence of each coun-
try"
The unanimity of thought labor and expense
that animates all the q states of North, South
and Central America in bringing about the de-
sign and construction of this great memorial
is one proof-and the greatest-that Co
lumbus holds first place in the hearts of all men.
OF almost equal significance to the United
States is the further concrete evidence that in
building this memorial the Pan-American Union
has actually become something more than a
paper union held together by an imposing build
ing in Washington. Further links in the ties
which bind Pan-America may in consequence
from this unity of effort be expected in the
ing years and these links may well be of the
greatest Importance to the integrity of this ma
ton.
(S by Western Newspaper Union.)