Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-03-22
From the United States Magazine.
THE OLDEST REPUBLIC In THE
WORLD.

ApoUr the middle of the fifth century
according to some authorities in All, anC
0lhers in 469-a native of Dalmata
named Maripo, a stons-cutter ey trade
Thle employed in building the bridg,
Of Rimini, attracted by his piety the no
ice Of Gsudentius, Bishop OF BIescia, b,
Nholn he was made deacon.
Soon after he retired 10 Mount Titano
cnggy and almost inaccessible mountain
situated on the coast OF the Adriatic, be-
tween Ancona and Florence, in latitude
aso So north, and longitude l2o 2I> 28>'
east, With the design of leading hermit's
liie.
,spcliiy, and The Italian Princess who
osped the territory, gave il TO him.
Thereupon considerable number of
suiles took up their residence on the
.pot. and republican form of govern
meet was instituted; thus laying the
oundatiou of the town and Republic of
Nsriro, or San Ma,ino, which, though
possessing the smallest territory of any
State in Europe, and superior ia popua.
lion TO but Two, Liechtenstein,% in Ger
many, and MeIlingen,t in Switzerland, J
h. preserved its independence to this day +,
period Of ! 400 years, during which the
rfou dest Republics OF Northern Italy
Venice, Verona, Genoa. ,.fc., have fallen.
In fact, the contentious which a2ita,ed
these more powerful States, and which G.
yentually produced their destruction.
nav have contributed in some measure to
The continuance of their weaker neigh
ss-Ssu Marino having always been
place Of refuge Cor all who sought peace
inid the turbulence of the feudal ages
snd who, there, like our Pilgrim ia, hers,
night be expected TO aim at the ests5-
ahnent ana maintenance of institutions
! liss from those elements of discord aud
hrife which characterized the Govern
lent under which the had lived, and
hem which they had fed. The social or
Domestic history OF so remarkable State,
sou6 il be written, would be curious and
Instructive but, unfortunately. that very
msignitcerce which has operated to pre-
,ve i!s independent existence. is al
70 sufficient reason why such inca
10 record exist from which TO learn par
iculatly Of it's growth, or Of the inter
UOtllCAt
history may he briefly told. In the year
HOO the Republic purchased the Castle
Of Pennarosta, and in llT0 that OF Casolo.
During the wars OF the Guelphs and Chi
lelines in the tSelith and thirteenth CEN
luries, tie people OF San Mariuo took
part with the latter. supporting tho pre-
ispsions Of Emperor. Henry ~ Of Ger
many, in opposition TO the ambitious
,cLeDles OF, Gregory VII, and were in con-
sequence excommunicsted by Innocent
". In the fourteenth century, Giacoma
Pelza plotted with the Podesta OF Bres-
els and the Archbishop of Montafeltre, 10
deliver San Mariuo into their hands.
Happily for the Republic, his plan was
discovered. lie confessed his crime and
suffered death as "a traitor. Toward the
end OF the same century, the commune
bslug summoned to pay certain dues and
les to the Papal Government. refused
lud the matter beiug referred TO learned
adge Of Rimini, called Palameda, he de.
aied that the commune aud men of San
Asriro were exempt from payment. bav-
ng been of old independent of all foreign
ioninion-a decision which was confirm
ID by the Vicar Theodore.
10 1850, Pope Plus II. being engaged in
icontest with Malatesta, Lord of Rimini,
received the assistance OF the inhabitants
d Marlno, aud in return presented to
hem the four small castles, or forts, Of
en Yale, FaetaDo. Mont Giardino, and
FIOrentino.
The State was at this time in flourish
lg condition, Gn6 became an object of
nbition to the adventurous or avari-
aous aud it was compelled for years to
.fuggle for its independence. In 1889,
Ne able but intriguing Cardinal Alberon
aving failed, in his ambitious schemes
nth other States, turned his attention 10.
ard this miniature Republic an oct
Ehcb gave rise to the celebrated bon mot
.Gthe good-humored aud jocular. but tenn
pOrzlng aud politc Pontlf Benedict XIV
Alberoni is like glut.on, who, after hay.
ng eaten q large salon, cannot help Gust
aga wshful eye at minnow."
The Cardinal alleged that the Govern
aent had become narrow oligarchy,
ili contrivel u impress the Court of
aOme with the belief that the people de-
fed the protection Of the Church thore.
rcm. Having received the consent OF
he deceived Poniiif, he repaired ththor,
,nd conquered the province with q single
Onpany of soldiers and q few officers of
oliCe The people appealed to Clement
XII, who restored its former freedom aud
Fhleges. Indeed. inclosed as is the
&e by the States Of the church. it has
'snerally been under the protection of
he Pope, which, perhaps, accounts ln
sne measure, at least, for its long contin-
ance.
Accord!ng 10 some authorities, the
Sate was restored to freedom, in the fore
ping instance, through the mediation Of
Emperor of Germany, Charles vi. Ma
oleon, during the period OF his success
u ltaly, presented them with four small
annon, and offered to increase their ter
-
'Lieeh,ens'sia, the smallest ftAe Prlncipali- !
as Of the Germa ole Confederation, has an
YEA ofdfty three square miles, and population
0about seven thousand.
tAslhgen, In Switzerland, eontains eight
;oedred Inhabitants, Including women and
sltrep) All Catholns, and for the most part
Aeksnth, farriers and locksmiths. They
gaprise Republic under the protection of the
VIII nne;a,. ..ntao- bpl danap din unon nnna L