1492-1892.
Susie M. Lawson.
June 24, 1892.In the course of the fifteenth century men began to walk from their sleep of ignorance and to throw off the bands of superstition which had so long hindered them from making any progress, as individuals or as nations. True knowledge had long been lost to European nations, but while the talented of Europe were debating upon pointless questions and writing worthless books, the Mohammedans of Africa were making advances in real learning and were now ready to share with others the fruits of their labor.
Classical learning was revived and men began to think and have many new ideas.
Curiosity became aroused concerning the geography and the shape of the earth. The Portugese in seeking to find a route to India by sea made discoveries along the coast of Africa which excited all Europe. Many students and sailors hastened to Portugal. Among these both sailor and student was Christopher Columbus. During the long period in which he was engaged in making voyages to all parts of the known world, he grew into the firm believe that the earth was a sphere. From this he sagely concluded that one might travel from east to west and by pursuing a direct westerly course reach Asian and discover all lands that might be between.
He was filled with a desire to try this new way of reaching the land he was so certain lay to the west out beyond the great unknown sea. But he was too poor - he could not undertake the enterprise along. We are all familiar with the sad story of his life while for a score of years he worked for the accomplishment of his purpose, till, at last, he recieved [sic] aid from the good Isabella of Spain. Through all this Columbus did not lose his strong faith that in the hands of God he was to be the instrument of finding the western land and of bringing to its inhabitants a knowledge of the Christian religion.
We know how, at last, after weeks of sailing and eager watching for signs of land, early on the morning of Oct 12, he saw before him a long level line of shore. What must have been his feelings as he gazed upon that land, the discovery of which had been the one purpose of his life.
And of the new land Columbus found? Now, 400 years after his discovery we see in the land then sparsely inhabited by savage tribes a mighty nation and destined to become far greater because it is still in its youth. Our history is a story of rapid growth; we have out-distanced in many respects older nations, and our gory has but just begun.
Truly, America is "a land of promise." Look at the vast progress the country has made in the last century and imagine its condition a century hence. Upon the broad expanse of territory which our nation occupies we have, as Mr. Gladstone has said, "a natural base for the greatest continuous empire ever established by man." America has already taken the lead in the great progress the world has been making in the past four centuries. Looking back over this period we can see how the Divine Providence which controls human events has been guiding the course of our nation. The best part of the new continent came into the hands of the Anglo-Saxon race, that from that race might be developed a new nation which should advance civilization to a higher degree than it had ever reached. The settlers who had the most influence in shaping the character of the new nation were those who came that they might worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.
The war of the Revolution determined that the country should not remain a colony of Great Britian [sic], but should be independent and free to grow strong and great. We were successfully brought through our great Civil War so that the curse of slavery was removed and the unity of our nation preserved. And now, with our vast domain, our unlimited resources, our free institutions, the absence of that immediate danger of war which keeps Europe in constant alarm, we may truly say that the hope of mankind is wrapt up in the destiny of America.
It is evident to every thoughtful observer that God has some plan which he is working out in the history of our country. Here is to develop a Christian civilization which is to uplift the whole world. We are already in the dawn of a brighter era for mankind. And we believe that the same God who has guided the course of our nation hitherto through times of anxiety and peril will continue to lead us on till all his plans for the destiny of America become accomplished. Surely such a happy and prosperous nation as ours has reason in this centennial year to remember him through whom the existence of the land we inhabit was known. Our nation has decided that the proper way to commemorate the discovery is by holding a Columbian Fair. The custom of holding fairs to afford a common meeting ground for buyer and seller is very old. Prince Albert of England first thought of making them exhibitions for the sake of national gory and the first World's Fair was held at London in 1851.
Since then there have been seven great exhibitions which deserve the name of World's Fairs. Our exhibition of '76 was a great success considering the youth of the country and that it was our first attempt at an International Exhibition.
The proposed enterprise promises to be a magnificent success.
It will increase the influence of the nation, give an impetus to trade, strengthen the ties of friendship with other nations and bring great glory upon America.