New-York tribune., 1874-08-27
ycFTlyUS MILLENNIAL.

The awakening of people to sense OF
unitv is not only of supreme importance to
the nation thus aroused, it is an event OF mo-
ment in the history of mankind. or this
character was the action of the Hungarian
Diet in 1s4s; the campaign of Garibaldi in
1860: the uprising in our Northern States on
the capture of Fort Sumter. This is the most
important feature of the millennial celebration
in Iceland so fully and plcturesquely described
in tie valuable letters of our correspondent.
Mr.. Bayard Taylor, to which we gladly sur
render so much of our space this morning.
Remote, isolated. speaking language OF their
own, the Icelanders have preserved for CEN
turies, though almost uncOnsciOnsly, their IN
dividuality as people, despite their success
sive subsection to foreign Governments. Our
correspondence gives insight into the charac-
teristics of the race and supplies many details
in addition to what is generally known of
their circumstances and history, that will
serve to explain their somewhat sudden and
fervid desire for self-gOvernment, and the
concessions of Denmark made public at this
millennial festival.
Following the legendary myths of the
dragon, the hame-breathing bull, and the
giant with the iron staff that occupied the
mountains of Iceland, there comes history
of many centuries of sclf-governed people,
not wanting in enterprise, industry, and COM
parative wealth, and possessing pantheon OF
heroes eminent in battle and discovery. The
people that have preserved these records have
kept with them also something OF the SIM
plicity they describe They are grave, as be-
comes the sons Of the North, and take their
pleasures solemnly. When the grand old
hymns which tell of the glories OF the past
are sung, the holy joy of patriotism
lights their faces, and their eyes
are filled with tears Singing these
hymns is a marked and frequent feature
of the celebration. Unused to the noise and
show of demonstrations honored by the pres
ence of royalty, with scarcely cannon on
their shores to answer the salute from the
shipping, they receive their visitors with
quiet dignity more impressive than the blare
of gunpOwder or the uprOar of mob. Down
to the lowest peasant, their manners are those
of people whO like ourselves, are born to
consciousness of equality. In asking from the
King of Denmark new constitution which
grants them a considerable autonomy, under
which on the one hand they pay no part of
the expenses of that kingdom, and on the
other take no share in its government, they
claim from their sovereign an equal respect
with that they yield.
Characteristic of land of simple manners
and honest lives is luxuriOusly furnished
prison, empty and tenantless, which has long
waited in vain for an inmate; guides that
show visitors the way and refuse pay for
~,
clothes while only their Bishop is adorned
with high hat and arrayed in ruflles, velvet
and satin. When the Crown Prince of Dem
mark has learned the Ioelandic language, as
his father promises for him, and comes to
claim his appanage, he will probably find that
the love of freedom in honest hearts is not
incompatible with loyalty under the flag of
the white falcon.