The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-03-21
Ghe Grareller.
Correspondence Of The Msr Fork ob.arsr
HOLLAND.

NJ hENhi bAii ESV.' VI Iht NEN lOkA bAk-
The kingdom Of Netherlands is famil-
iarly called Holland even by her own pco-
pie. 1t is a small country for kingdom,
having an area Of about $4,000 square
miles, or nearly twice as large as the State
Of Massachusetts,. On this area, much Of
which has been reclaimed from the domin-
ion Of the ocean, dwell 5000, 900 inhabi-
tants, or nearly three times the population
Of Massachusetts,. Yet this little State
stretches her arms into all the world She
has planted her colonies in the East In
dies, the West Indies, and in South Amer
lea. The total area of her colonial pos
sessions is about 667 900 square miles, with
apopulation of % 100000. When united
with Belgium, the kingdom of Netherlands
made very respectable show upon the
map Of Europe But men so different in
race, language, and religion as the Hol.
landers and Belgians, could not long live
in alliance under the same government
The rebellion Of 1880 resulted in detach.
ing Belgium from the kingdom Of Meth
erlands, with an area of $4,000 square
miles, and population of four millions Of
inhabitants. But the Hollanders are by
no means an insignificant people. In the
past their record has been glorious, There
is no brighter page in the worlds history
than that which records her sacrifices and
struggles for freedom.
There is no more independent, liberty
loving, thriving people in the world than
the Dutch. There is no people so gener-
ally wealthy. The small farmers as well
as the merchants make and save money,
and hardly one can be found that has not
some money invested in American securi-
ties, which are not always, / am sorry to
say, Of the best kind. The whole country
not taken up by canals, is devoted to graz
ing. They export immense quantities Of
cattle and sheep, butter, cheese, and REIN
ed sugar, to England. In 1s4s the present
constitution of the Netherlands was pro
claimed The legislative authority is vss-
ted in parliament Of two chambers called
the States General. The upper house
consists Of thirty-niue members elected by
the provincial States, from among citizens
who pay the largest assessment Of taxes
This house corresponds with our Senate
Their functions are limited to approving
or rejecting bills originated by the govern
ment and the lower house, without author
ity to amend.
The lower house are chosen by the vo-
ters, in the proportion Of one member to
every $4,000 souls. Il has eighty men,
bers. All citizens paying tax Of 81 an
nually, have the right to vote. Every two
years one half of the lower house, and
every three years one-third Of the upper
house retire by rotation. The king has
the veto power, which is never exercised
He can dissolve the States General. but
m uss order another election in forty davs
,beresf,ar
The executive authority is under IN.
sovereign exercise by council Of minister,
who are respectively at the head Of seven
departmenss--of finance. Justice. war. &c
The salary Of the SOVEREIGN i $3.50 ooo
with an allowance Of $50 900 for his fam.
ily. The salaries Of the ministers is s5 600
and Of each member Of the lower bouse
$500 and travelling expenses.
Slavery was abolished IN tbe eolou;c. a