The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-10-07
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America and any others who may so 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-American 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
dering homage to the memory of the great navi-
gator. This coast was the first land touched In
the journey which discovered the continent; 1t
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 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.
Sand 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 hui
mainly by the store of natural wealth on the
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
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"
Backed now by the enthusiastic and unani-
nous support of Pan-America the governing
board proceeded to draw up the program of the
preliminary competition The program laid down
provides $500 acres of property directly east of
Santo Domingo city. This great tract is to be-
come carefully restricted Pan-American park
and is to contain the site of the Columbus Me-
mortal lighthouse which shall be great beacon
to guide the navigator both by sea and by air.
and shall be also great symbolic commemora-
tive monument.
The Pan-American Union visions the day
when, where the great discoverer landed there
will be in constant use great air terminus for
traffic between North and South America. The
great lighthouse in consequence will be designed
to throw its friendly and guiding rays for the
aid of the navigator by air as well as by sea.
The great reservation to be developed by the
architects embraces the location Of the original
er of the great admiral. Here still stands the
sacred ruins Of the Dominican Church of the
Rosary the oldest Christian church in the west
ern hemisphere This shrine, which is the last
and only vestige that now remains Of the days
when Columbus lived and ruled in Santo Do
mngo, must be preserved.
Santo Domingo is rich in historic structures
and ruins that have known Columbus Here In
the brilliant tropic sun still stand the castle of
fho he
dral, the University of Santo Tomas de Aquino
seat Of learning established 100 years before any
other in America; the Homage tower, whence
the sorrowing admiral In chains babe farewell
to his beloved Hispanola; the church and mon
astery of San Francisco; the church and mon
astery of the Dominican friars; the monastery
and church of the Jesuit friars; the converts
of Santa Clara and Regina Angelorum the mon
astery of the Mercedary friars; the castle of
Geronimo and of Hama, built by Gov. Felix
Zungia, count of the Sacred Empire.
The unanmity 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 more proof-and the greatest-that Co
Iumbus holds first place in the hearts of all men,
The narrative of his life and deeds-a story old,
yet ever new-has stirred and viii always stir
all mankind with the will to win.
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
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 COM
ing years and these links may well be of the
greatest Importance to the integrity of this ma
ton. 49, Ss-7,ss
&c by western Newspaper Union.)