Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-12-14
THE NETHERLANDS AS AN AGRI.
CULTURAL EXAMPLE.
Social and Agricultural Progress.
CHAPTER III.

Social and Agricultural Progress.
CHAPTER Ill
1t is an interesting and instructive
study to trace their progress from the
barbarism in which all the Gothic ma
tions were involved at the time OF the
Christian era, to the condition OF iree-
dom and enlightened CIVILIZATION
which they have attained; FOR cen
turies long night broOded over l-l IheIl
al, but in none was its darkness
greater than this kingdom. IhesWoIgi
was the only acknowledged force, anu
the conqueror claimed not only the
right to distribute the lands but also
the beople with the lands, and tnus Z
system Of vassalage prevailed, put one
step in advance Of ehattel slavery.
In the lapse Of time the hohlsh
priesthood became q power IN Ihe
land, often working beneneently,
treasuring in converts and monaster,
les whatever Of learning had survived
the fall of the Roman empire anu
teaching all that was taught Of divine
truth. vet often becoming the ally OF
despOtic power ard binding with
heavier chains the hands and souls OF
men. In the progress OF the nation
another potent case Of prosperity was
trade, and the manufactures Whlcn
trade stimulates and encourages Inc
country became q vast Workshop IN
which fabrics were wrought tnat
found ready sale in the marts OF Eu-
rope and brought returns Of wealth TO
these Netherlands, once so barren
and so unsuited to human industries.
Cities sprang up and acquired not
only wealth, but freedom. Free cities,
they were termed, because OF certain
rights and privileges which had been
wrested from the sovereign and are
exercised by the people. They had
an important influence on the cause
Of liberty, for they were governed 6y
law, had chartered rights and the
citizens of each had q voice in fram-
ing and executing the laws.
Thus slowly, during q progress OF
thirteen centuries, did the Neither
lands become an enlightened and
powerful state, enjoying q greater I'D
erty than any other European nation;
Nature had apparently condemned
her to perpetual poverty; her SOIL
was lower than the waters OF the ad-
jacent sea: +: swamps and lakes abound
ed on every side; the air was damp
and the winters cold; yet here a
hardy. brave, noble race Of men was
prepsrinC to battle for their rights
and TO assert with their blood the
| great principles Of civil and religious
| liberty. The struggle was long, for II
was maintained against the most
| powerful nation in the world but II
! resulted in securing freedom for her
| self. and in promoting by her example
and influence the cause OF human
progress. She became power among
/ the European nations, planted heI
colonies in the four quarters OF the
Klobe. surpassed all others in the ex-
Tent and richness Of her commerce
] became an asylum for persecuted Pro-
testants, founded libraries and unlVer'
stiles with muniheent endoWmentsi
and gave to the world an illustrious
succession Of wise and learned men.
This country has q special Interest
I'm the minds Of American people
MANY Of its citizens, at an early day
emigrated to this country, and theil
descendants were distinguished fol
high qualities of character, and be
came useful members Of our common
fraternity. Not a few Of the best
families in the State Of New YORK ar'
proud to trace their descent from HoE
land. She was the first nation thai
achieved for herself civil and religious
liberty, and thus she became an ex'
annie and an inspiration. She afford
ed an asylum for many years to the
Puritan settlers OF New England
where they formed q higher appre
citation Of liberty, Of educationr o
freedom of thought and speech, anC
of those seminal principles which un
derlie al our institutions Their resi-
dence in Holland assisted in prepar
ing them for the great part they were
to act in laying the foundations OF EN-
pire in a strange land Not the leasl
valuable Of the forms and institutions
] for which they were indebted to theil
residence in that land are the division
OF the county into townships, anC
1 committing to towns the interna
regulation of their own affairs; th'
apDointment of select men as muni
cipal officers; the registry Of deeds
the advantages OF which over tht
English system are inealeulable anC
the establishment Of highways, anC
! the erection Of houses and farm build
ings along the lime Of travelled roads
\ But another reason is still more i'm
portant to farmers. The history o
/ Holland shows what can be accom-
plished in agricultural Improvement
! by industry and perseverance. Many
thousands Of acres OF what was onct
an impossible morass have been re
claimed, and made the abode Of q peo
pie who posses wealth, the means o
education, and the institutions OF re
ligion. A great and free people, dis
tinguished alike for wealth and refine
ment, for their attainments in higf
art. for their learned men and untyer
sities, and though ''last, not least,
for an admirable system Of fre'
schools, now inhabit peaceful homes
and are foremost in the enjoyment o
civilized life, in a territory which ha
been reclaimed, and is kept free from
the peril Of storm and flood by tn
most remarkable industry the wOrl'
has ever seen.
The number Of provinces whiel
now compose the kingdom Of tn
| Netherlands, If we include the Ouch.
de- IuxembOrg, is twelve. They ar