Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-08-22
European Correspondence.
Correspondence Of tn. Lewisburg Chrouicl-.l
NO. III.

NO. III.
ZURICH, July o6, 1856.
1t is pleasant once again to breathe in
Republican atmosphere. With all the
good that can be said for monarchies, (and
under the circumstances they have their
good qualities, )ihey have much that is re-
pugnaut to one with republican training
To pass through and mingle with societies,
where there be lords many and gods many,
created and inherited royalties, circles
and grades of humanites, an Olympus
where not even demigods, but only those
who have the pure ichor coursing through
their veins, are permitted to enter, and
then their groves assigned to inferior roy.
alties, o it is refreshing to emerge out of
such a sultry sectional atmosphere into
this little brave heroic Switzerland, where
"Even the peasant boasts his rights to scan
And learns to venerate himself man.
While the Roman Republic proved fail
ure, and ours is still in its youth and there
fore an experiment, here is an example to
prove that Republican form of Govern
ment is practicable, at least under certain
circumstances. The Swiss Republic has
existed for nearly nine centuries, has pass
ed through cruel and formidable assault.
from without, and endured civil wars in
its own bosom, but has always emerged
from them like gold from the heated fur
mace, purer and more durable.
! Switzerland originally seems to have
been inhabited by the Rhctians. After
these came the Hevetians, people from
Gaul, who took possession of the fertile
valleys and left the mountains to their
predecessors. The latter were conquered
by the Romans in 5S, the former Is BIC.
During the migration Of nations 4 d 400,
Switzerland fell into the possession of diff
ferent tribes, all of which were afterwards
conquered by the Franks. Thus it passed
through checkered diversity of fortunes
until the end Of the thirteenth and begin
ing Of the fourteenth century, when the
German Emperors, especially Rudolph of
uapsburg and his son ostensibly endeavor-
ed to make the proud, patriotic Swiss, their
vassals. 1t was then that Staufacher,
Furst, Arnold, and William Tell stepped
forth in all the fearless majesty of freemen
in defence of their rights. Supported by
the ramparts of their native Alps, and the
praying hearts and strong arms Of their
native brethren, their numerous foes fell
before them as though some unseen angsl
were battling in their behalf. In 1899,
their Independence was recognized by the
German Empire. Since then, however,
Switzerland has had to pass through her
severest trials. In the religious wars of
the Reformation, her proves was employ
ed in the destruction of her own blood ,aud
her loveliest mountains were made the
altars of self-immoiation. Liberty and
Religion dropped the mingled tear of pity
and bereavement on their graves. One
would suppose that greedy despots would
have eagerly seized these unhappy frag'
ments of dissention as their prey. But, ,oE
questions of Freedom, Switzerland has al
ways been one. The cry Of Oppression
would always be the watchword for Union.
Hence, in spite of her internal and exter-
nal wars, she has gloriously survived her
darkest periods, aud remains free and In
dependent Republic to this day.
The % cantons of Switzerland have a
population Of nearly 100000. Each
canton is small Republic, with power to
legislate and govern its own affairs. All
the cantous constitute the Swiss Confeder-
alton, corresponding to the government of
the United States. They hold their Gen
cral Assembly. or Congress, in Berne, the
Washington of Switzerland. This body
was in session while l was at Berne. l
can assure you i. was gratifying privilege
to hear and witness the discussions of a
Republican Congress on this side of the
Atlantic representing confederation whose
origin dates back near to the discovery of
America. The Assembly was mostly COM
posed of men from middle life and upwards,
persons of a mature experience and digni-
fed department, whose discussions were
models Of Congressional speeches.
Berne, capital Of Switzerland, is situat-
ed on peninsula formed by the Arne, 100
feet above the channel of the stream. 1t
has population of 1850, very few Of
whom seem to be in needy circumstances.
Its streets have fresh business-like ap-
pearance. Its broad payements run thro'
the ags. stasiss Of tas dweliiSss,ovst Which