The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-09-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
Wollauad.

Holland possesses for us history
of peculiar interest. She gave the
world the first constitutional right to
the citizen; the first liberty of speech;
Printing was invented by Hollander;
the first translation Of the Bible for
The use of people, was made in Hol-
land. Holland was the first Republic
and the first defender of Religious free
dom. esss
in looking back upon her history, the
world must stand in awe and admira-
aion. With population of less than
three millions, Holland sustained her.
] self against combined Europe. Spain
was then In her glory. Her position
Sat every court was supreme. The con-
test between the Dutch and the Span
iards was o bloody one. The Holland.
era, in defence of their homes, defend.
ed the outposts Of their territory,
using the very floods to drive back the
enemy, and frequently inundating the
whole country. At one time great
number Of women and children were
placed inside of the walls of Harlem
for safety. The Spaniards penetrated
TO the city, where sanguinary conflict
took place. The women became war
s7iors and defended themselves and
their offspring against unequal force and
odds, with Q courage worthy Of ancient
Greece. Overpowered by superior
numbers they dropped their week arms
and gave up their defenceless homes.
Ihen followed scene of courage un.
eguallsd in in its bloody cruelty. The
1 Hollanders from the frontier hastened
TO Harlem.to find that beautiful city
/. In ruins, and their wives and children
!. murdered. Astounding as it may ap-
3 pear, this terrible contest was contin-
wed for eighty years. Holland triumph.
ed. She afterwards occupied the first
commercial position in the world. 1t
d was the Dutch idea that founded New
York, and the commercial basis laid
down in New Amsterdam, (as New
York was first caued) is the one on
which that city has built SO proudly
II was @ Dutch idea, that Of the Erie
canal.
The Dutch came forward as our firm
ariends and allies, in the dark days of
our revolution. They loaned us money.
They sent us arms and ammunition
They stood by US in every trial. The
consequence was o war between Hol-
land and England. After sustaining her
! flag gallantly, and burning the English
!. fleet in the Thames, the Dutch met
with reverses. The English proved
successful in one or two important ma.
val engagements, and finally compelled
4 Holland to lower the broom from the
masts Of her ships. There are many
recorded instances Of the desperate
,svalor Of their navy. These are not
forgotten, and choice paintings and
and statues in public places, testify of
the nations gratitude and grief. There
ZIG q painting in the possession Of Hope
(the great banker Of Amsterdam) re-
presenting o young officer in the act of
blowing up his vessel. He was over
powered by superior force, and rather
than surrender, determined to blow up
] his vessel and the enemy's with it
which he did,
The people Of. Holland tako great
pride on account of the part they play.
led in the American Revolution. The
country may be called literally thou.
sand wind.mills and one canal. The
occupations Of the people are mostly
8meratime, and thousands of persons
j ere born, and live and die, in boats
Ihese boats are made with an eye to
domestic comfort and permanent occu.
paney. The Dutch have great facili
81 for acquiring language, and every
edacafsd person, male, and female,
speaks at least English, French, and
!ssaFn9an, aaently. Tho Dutch are ae