The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1874-05-07
Putting the Centennial out of Coun-
tenance.
From the New York Tribune. !


1t will be Just thousand years ago this
summer since the first Viking from Nor
way. sailing to and fro according to his
habit in search of new worlds in which to
steal and kill, ran aground upon mass
of volcanic mountains rising ont OF the
misty confines of the Arctic Sea, and
wrapped in the unbroken SHOWS and scor-
in of ages; while sulphurous flames and
boiling fountains burst from the plains
below The Viking called it Iceland, and
Harold the Fail-Haired became proprietor
thereof; and it certainly speaks very little
for the comfort OF domestic advantages OF
that picturesque state OF society sung by
sages and by seers, in which talr-halred
Vikings played such an active part, to
know that brisk emigration at once set
in from Norway to the desolate beach,
which nature had apparently thrown away
for fire and frost to destroy. The de
scendants of these first settlers yet people
the island. and propose to celebrate III a
few weeks the thOusandth anniversary OF
that far-Otf day which made them lnheri-
tors of lis Sulphurs, seals and lava. The
details of the celebration are not yet re-
solved upon, but we, their American
neiohbors, are expected to lOln III some
sort of way, and that with the more heart
mess because the return OF the island TO
her ancient rights of selt-government IS
also to be made 4 subject for rejoicing.
OF course, this celebration puts new face
on our centennial. Indeed, a provoking
ly new face When we turn with these
solitary people TO search for their ances-
tors back in the distant ages gone down
INTO the eternal darkness and silence OF
Polar seas, George Washington, and
Bunker Hill, and the brick State house,
and the brass bell in Philadelphia appear
as things of yesterday-vulgarly and IN
Extensively modern We are disguised
with our youth; We discover that we are
but bows, at the end of single school
term, and the less perhaps that is said OF
our doings the better 10 be sure, we
have grown bigger and broader than our
grave and ancient neighbor, and can make
a louder noise at our birthday; but Is
bigness a virtue in any thing but cattle
at prize show? and will our size and
weight really be written down to our
credit by the Judge who takes account OF
the nations?
The Icelander during the decade Of cen
turtles has built no cities, fought no civil
war, made no bruit Of any kind into the
world His history during these thousand
years simply is that he has always been
poor, digging sulphur, or gathering moss
from the rocks, or dragging seals from the
water as his meagre contribution to the
traffic of the world that he has always
been contented, taking both his poverty
and his work easily; that without free
schools he is educated that he has sung
enc great undying song on behalf of his
native land; while compelled to live IN
dirty houses of lava and clay, his moral
nature and habits are exceptionally clean;
that, having been granted nothing of the
beauty and warmth of Gods world, he yet
gives to him a singular adherence and
gratitude. His record is, in brief, that of
a man who has for thousand years had
faith in his country, in himself and in his
God. What like message shall we send
back Of ourselves on our first birthday to
him? It is proposed to found, OF rather
increase, a national library and museum
at Revkiavik, the Icelandic capital, as a
lasting commemoration Of this anniversa-
nv. and contributions of American books,
etc. are asked for it. The Pennsylvania
Historical Society in Philadelphia has Of
fered to receive any such books from auth
ors and publishers, and to forward them.
AS this is probably the only practical way
in which we can aid our ancient neighbors
in their rejoicing, wehope it may be done
in q manner suited to their dignity of
years and ours OF size.