The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-14
From the Baltimore American.
Switzerland TO washinst0n. hE

few days ago Swiss consul. acting in behalf OF his
government presented carved stone. suitably inscribed,
as tribute TO the memory OF Washington, from the
public of Switzerland This fragment Of The Aps-the
gracious gift of the only free people OF continental Eu
rope-was suitably received by the committee, and VIII
be placed conspicuous position IN TIE national mon
ument. I'LL.
Although Switzerland is sister republic. and OF course
should be duly appreciated BY every American IL is quite
dren or their institutions We have nursery notions
OF a certain William Tell who shot apple of the head
OF his and then drove into the heart OF the
Austrian governor who commanded the perlous expert
ment. To this romantic story we add perhaps deli.
cous experience OF invgoratlng exercise amid Alpine
and personal admiration OF Swiss etalsts and
Shepherds but with these gmpses OF the
mountain refuge OF Teuonic liberty, our knowledge OF
the republic very apt to end Switzerland however has
Just sent us bit OF herself as Keepsake and accord
ingy, while 'sset this .'pTecious stone" amid the
marbles dedicated to the founder OF modern freedom, let
us rub up our history OF the 'land OF Tell"
Mountains inspire men with their own holiness, for
they endow the jewellers among their Businesses with
the stern spirit OF Independence. From the earliest Pc
RODS OF reliable history, the Swiss have manifested this
manly kelfreance, and when their numbers swelled TO
The dignity OF nation, they strove to lns lis essence
into the genius Of their government But in time, as
modern civilization crept into the larger towns and
cantons from the bordering monarches, Switzerland felt
the influence OF its corruption Before the revolution OF
1885, the people oppressed by aristocfacy
than many nations living under kings These
sreign canons and subject cantonsdominant towns and
dominated districts. The subject cantoDs ruled by
b0I,Ds whose authority became despoc, and who gene
ally made felt with all the rgor that Is common in the
administration OF power by UPSTAIRS But when the French
entered Switzerland all these rival soveregnlies were
merged in a central power, while the relative rank OF
districts abolished forever Unuckly, however,
when the great Emperor fell the holy alliance managed
to dluse it's poison throughout the Hevetc
territory. The union weakened; the people lost
their rights the aristocracy re-asser.ed their alleged
prveges" in the larger cantons and certain districts
the elections controlled by electoral colleges where
in the large land holders and councillors alone acted.
Alter fifteen years OF popular dissatisfaction, in ls3o3l
Switzerland again moved progressively Tor the establish
ment of true republican federation; yet il not
I'll the brei but bloody conflict, that the people OBJ
tanned their rights and consolidated their power in the
constitution OF S4S. The two millions OF Swiss are now
in reality free.
By this organic law the legislative power is vested in
federal assembly composed of the national council and
the senate council of the States The national conn-
Gil is elected by the people OF the cantons. every 90 900
being represented by member who holds office for three
successive years. The sena,e-composed of Ais
formed by delegation OF members from each canton and
each half canton. Hs
The great federal assembly OF Switzerland selects sew
en- members for federal council, whose office lasts for
three years; while the President and Vice President OF
the confederacy chosen annually by joint meeting
OF the two supreme authorities, but not reegibe
until after the expiration OF intervening twelvemonh
federal tribunal and central federal bureau, whose
members ennalIy chosen by the federal assembly
under the constitution The federal tribunals ju-
Tisdction extends TO civil salts between the cantons. or
between Tive cantons and the confederacy, and between
the confederation the cantons on The one hand and
citizens on the other The right OF making and
peace of entering into treaties and alliances of egua-
Ting the post office and roads, confined exclusively 10
| the national authorities.
This brief sketch OF the political system OF Switzerland
exhibits many resembances with our institutions
kindred spirit of independence animates both nations
and il the of liberation, which must day break
in Europe, shall end disaslrously for the striving
people, may cherish the hope that The massive wall.
of the Alps will still enclose aad preserve the last spar
of continental liberty Recent occurrences in Milan
snow how much the Austrians dread the Swiss. Prob
ably more than six thousand who resided in Lonbardy
have been expelled by the foreign tyrant that lords il
The north OF Italy, aud have beer hurried the Dor
der into the canton of Tcino without the delay ne
cessary to realize their little property. These exes
sup ced freedom destitute in the land OF the
brIn, and appeal for has been made in the
/ behalf 10 their comparois in America.