Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-02-25


Of Normans and Flemmings poured
into the country. The land was par
celled out among the followers of VIII
liam, and the inhabitants reduced to
the condition Of slaves were bought
and sold like cattle. \ line of de-
markation was drawn between the
conquerors and the conquered, and so
CALLING did it become that time and
again the people rose in rebellion only
to be crushed by force or cajoled into
submission; and it was not till the
instinct of self-preservation led the
descendants of the dominant race to
unite In marriage with those of the
other, that any permanent peace was
attained. This Conquest, by far the
most important event in English
had almost said in the world's-his-
tory, (for it is almost impossible to
exaggerate the importance of an event
that has resulted in producing two
such nations as the United States and
England, } occurred in the year 1O66.
The invasion of the Normans founded
dynasty that has ruled for eight hun
dred years-created language-gave
birth to two great nations-and, by
the inherent energy possessed by
/ tn victors and vanquished, faith
fully transmitted to their posterity,
they have been raised to a pitch of
power unsurpassed in the worlds his
tory, and been enabled to establish
themselves always as rulers
''In every cline the suns bright circle
warns"
Such has been the result. Let US
see, then, what was the character of
the Normans, and then we shall be in
condition to show why the Norman
Saxon of the present day possesses
those particular traits that make him
what he is.
The Norman French was q COM
pound race produced by engrafting the
Teutonic upon the Celtic stock, and
his character was a modification of
both. Possessing large share of an
imal courage, he was even more dis
tinguished for moral bravery; lover
of learning--literary men were held
by him in high estimation; polished
in his manners, for the age in which
he lived, he was fond of display both
in his person and his surroundings;
he was bold and adventurous, crafty
and cruel, and did not hesitate to dc
any thing by which he might attain
his desired ends. Nominally they
were Christians; for, except the OBJ
servance of forms, there was very
little vital religion among them.-
Speaking a different language from
that used by the people they had sub
ducd. they endeavorcd to force it upor
them, and omitted nothing that might
tend to introduce their own habits
manners, and customs, to the exclu
sion Of those Of the Saxons. TIL,
court, the nobility, and their retainers
spoke French-French was the Ian
guagc Of the camp. The records o
the courts of justice were in the sam
tongue, and remained so till recen
period. And even at the present day
in some matters Of ceremony, tn
French language is still used. AS
:, for instance. when a bill has passc
parliament and is presented for roya
approval, the approval is given in tn
words, lie roi le veut," or, rather
: since woman now occupies tn
: throne, "La refine le veut, that is
"The king or queen wills it." Fol
tunately the effort was in vain. Th
Saxons refused to merge their nation
ality in that of their conquerors, an
the eventual result was a compromis'
the result Of that compromise was th
> English language, and, greater yc
:. the American and English people
Surely, then, this conquest, bitter {
!, were its immediate results to the sui
. jccts Of it, (for never was conquerc
people more cruelty treated, is b'
! another proof Of the wisdom ar
goodness of Him
ID "who out of evil still educes good
!, And better thence again, and better still
(; In infinite progression"
a. The battle Of Hastings must raj
,e among the worlds most importa
rs victories, and in its results upon mo
to ern civilization, and upon civil nj
40 religious liberty, il is unsurpassed.
m This, thee. is the sum in bri
n But little Of the peculiaritcs Of {
rd American character is owing direct
m TO the aborigincs of England OF th'
ne Roman masters; but is the lcgitims
re consequence Of the union Of the Sake
es Danish, and Norman races. To I
is Saxon he is indebted for his power
tn endurance. and thar stubborn per-
by verance in whatever he undertake