Lewisburg chronicle, and the West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1849-1849, 1849-09-05

tam II. Such was their character, and.
with slight variation. such it has been ever
since. Their cradle Of Liberty was rocked
IN Alpine storms, their strength and hard
mess gotten by but1e'ing the elements.
Their character is that Of stern resolve e.
Change in hem was the result Of .rehec-
, lion, ike the rocks around them, which
are as eternal and Interchangeable as the
mighty ocean.
The history Of this people, is essentially
their own. Their ramparis of rocks are
the mighty barriers against which the
waves Of political commorion have dashed
i'll vain. the story Of The republics of
/ Greece, is bat repeated among them. Uni
led, their banners tapped tr umphanlly
over The field Of the slain; divided, still
they were powerful. That their courage
and irmneSs should have become matter
OF barter, Is much TO be lamented but, few
nations there are whose names are not
clouded by worse deeds Than this, for not
long ago, and the flag of our own loved
land droored, red with the blood OF the
slain, from the dome Of the Mexican Cap.
, nol. " hen, then, any people have purged
their reputation of political sins, they may
!
! l:npcach tha, OF Switz r.and.
The characteristics Of the Swiss are very
prominent. They love the song and the
dance-rude ieslIvry is their delight. rs
/ long "a i does nH become lccn;inus. They
are. b sides, cminrn'!y religious people.
From every hill and PLAIN in that fair
land, rises the incense OF devotion from a
thousand a'ars. A iowly spre peeps from
every clump o. trees and when the "church
going bell" echoes through those dales. they
swarm as by magic, with life. The Swiss
we're accordingly of the first TO hlil the
using star Of the Reclamation Zuingli
and Calvin stan1 forth their representa-
iIves IN this grand drama. Zuinsii offered
up his life upon the altar of religion and
his country. Calvin ruled Church and
State, and, though stern and intfcxibie in
his character, his services for the good of
he country are still visible after The lapse
nf centuries.
Freedom oi thought also characierizcs
this people. The pure mountain breez"s
they inhae, and above all The awful subli-
n,liy OF the hts they gnze upon. are
conducive TO this. Upon the rocks of Url
'rs, dawncd the spirit OF Liberty, and she
was NJ bird Of passage. There was the
immortal "oath of Ru'Ii " sworn. Then
comes the story Of Tel. Then, while |
Europe around them was asleep in the !
nIghl Of the dark ages, did the Swiss battle !
for freedom. Tney have shown also their
freedom Of thought in religion. Priests,
monks. aud bishops were sent begging al /
the WILL Of the people. l. was to no purpose
that the Pope Illuminated his DEGREES the
rhunders of The Vatican were drowned in !
The howl Of the tempest and the crash Of
the avalanche. They bowed tn" knee TO !
Gnd, and TO Him only.
Finally, the Swiss love their country. 4!
Though the poetry aud the real life of their
land are very different, sill their heart
strings are entwned abou, her. The |
soldier, while ne listens 20 the melodies of
his far. distant home, is melted in tears; The
wanderer. when liie's journey is nigh spent,
hasiens back to breathe his latest sigh !
amid the wild scenes Of his falher-land :; |
even the exile, torn from her by the ruth
less grasp Of power. exclaims.
o Switzerland my country 'tis to thee
strike my harp in agony"
But, though The fate Of empires no longer
waits the arbi,rament Of Alpine shepherds,
The Swiss are free and happy people.
True. the French Revolution, which con-
vulsed The continent of Europe in lis length
and breadth, like a mighty earthquake.
brough, the people down upon the arisioc.
racy, and Swiss fell side by side but the
mu,,erings Of tha, awful tempes, have long
since died away in the distance, and while
The storm moans its lullaby around their
lovely dwelling, the Swiss may cry in rap
iure TO the winds,
BLOW on blow on this is the land of Liberty"
DECISION.
Decision is an essential ingredient in