Cuba and Columbus are names inseparably connected. This largest
and most fruitful island of the Spanish Main was discovered by the
great navigator himself on the 28th day of October, 1492, only a
short time after his first landing upon the soil of the western
hemisphere on the island of San Salvador. There is a sentimental
association to Americans in the thought that the discovery of our
own continent was due to the pioneer expeditions sent from Spain.
But any regret in one's mind that animosities have risen between
the two nations, may be mollified by the memory that Columbus was
himself an Italian, that it had required years of his efforts to
induce sufficient interest on the part of Spanish monarchs to
father his undertaking, and that his life in the service of Spain
was marred by the basest ingratitude on the part of those whom he
had served.

Upon the handsome monument erected to the memory of Columbus in
Seville by Ferdinand and Isabella, is the simple inscription, "A
Castile y Leon, nuevo mundo dio Colon"--"to Castile and Leon,
Columbus gave a new world."

This was the tardy recognition granted to the discoverer by those
to whom he had made the marvelous gift. Recognition had been
denied him in his life, except after years of persistent urging,
second only to those years he wasted in his effort to arouse
Spanish interest and enterprise. Once he was removed from his West
Indian governorship and returned to Spain in chains. The titles
and honors which had been promised him before, were denied after
he had earned them. He was a victim of foul ingratitude, and no
American need permit sentiment to blind him for the sake of