Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-08-22

dsouit'f " PSAs'uo Va iriAauic
that a railroad is about being constructed
across the Alps, by the aid Of tunnels To
tunnel the Alps, would certainly be the
eighth wonder of the world.
In the Northern cantons, the country
exhibits signs of unusual prosperity. Many
farmers have acquired princely fortlnes,
and in their larger towns there is great
deal of wealth. Here the social equality
ceases. A powerful mouied aristocraey is
constantly struggling for the ascendency
in the Government, which has frequently
come into serious collision with the sights
of the poorer classes. In lS3l,it happen
ed that the Legislature Of the canton CT
Berne had become predominantly aristo-
cratic, and presumed to act contrary to the
interests Of the laboriDg classes. The lat
ter called mass meeting of the canton at
q village in the neighborhood Of Berne,
elected new Legislature, and drove the
aristocrats en- mass from their seats. This
popular decision was reversed in 1870.
Both parties assembled near the same
place, separated only BY j narrow foot-path,
where, after they had been admonished by
fiery speeches amid terrible snow storm,
the election again resulted in favor Of the
Aristocrats.
The Government of some Of the cantons
is purely democratic The canton of Uri,
the smallest of the confederation, holds a
popular assembly every first Sunday g in
May, in large meadow, where every male
citizen of 20 years and upwards is entitled
to vote A herald announces from tenn
porary stand the subjects which claim their
attention. Individual speakers expouni
and discuss their merits, after which tho
assembly votes by raising hands. Thus
the laws of Uri are made. And what Is
most singular is, there are bnt II Protes-
tants in this Democracy, numbering pop
ulation of IA, 500. For it is thoug ght by
many tina: the polity and ritual of the Pa
pacy are poorly calculated to train its mem-
bers in democratic habits.
Whatever may be the national faults Of
the Swiss, no one can charge them with
the sin of religious or political duplicity.
They have not yet learned to compromise
principles. Their impetuous patriotism,
like their mountain torrents, once started
will 90 ahead regardless of consequences,
and sometimes with savage ferocity. u
l remember correctly, Switzerland has had
few traitors. She can point to her Arnold
with greater pride than America to hers.
Her annals show that their difficulties have
been more frequently settled by the sword
than diplomacy. Her history would be
IN re pleasant if less cruel and bloody.
The Swiss have fought for principles until
their religion became bigotry, and their
zeal lack of charity. A little more na-
tional forbearance would have made their
history less heroic but more humane. They
are bold and rugged, like their native Alps.
Incapable of perhdy they will not submi.
to wrong Their annals, Ike their scenery,
are full of romance. A set Of unscrupu-
lous men are appointed their oPpressors by
a mighty Empire. Three men with 80
followers assemble after night on little
meadow on the banks Of one Of their lakes
where they take a solemn oath that they
would deliver their country from these
tyrants and in less than two months not
one can be found in Switzerland. Tell
resisted their abuse of power for which
Gessler, Que Of their number, sought every
possible means 10 punish him. After he
had amused himself by compelling him 70
shoot an apple from the head of his child,
he takes him prisoner. But while on the
lake, q storm arose, which frightened
Gessler, who was Cad to get his prisono-
to save his life Pretending to Tow - tho
shore, Tell leaped on a rock and in the
effort pushed the boat baci. into the stormy
waves. lie hurried over the mountains,
and within short distance from the castle
in which he was to be imprisoned, he hurled
his deadly arrow into the heart Of his op-
pressor. So there are many instances,
where from motives Of conviction they per-
form adventures which border on the mi
raculous, and storm wildly along in the
path of duty in the face of certain death.
There is but one Switzerland in the world
nationally and geographically. Her noun
tains have their agricultural disadvantages,
but other qualities which all the world
must admire and praise. Her children
have their psychological cliffs and torrents,
but under this stern exterior are the un-
corrup,ible virtues of moral heroism
which always points the soul towards the
high and the noble. NATHAN.
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FATAL ACCIpENT.-On last SATURDAY.,
about noon, two brothers, sons of David
Davis, Esq, of Limestone township, in
this township, were ont on cunning ex-