The Red Cloud chief., 1877-08-23

the most energetic and progressive OF
modern times does not admit OF doubt,
and as little doubt there is that they
owe this character chiefly to the infu-
sion of that vigorous and high spirited
stock that followed the conquerer across
the channel This will be a suggestive
theme Of reflection Of Gen. Grant when
he treads the soil Of Scandinavia
History does not, perhaps. present a
more tremendous phenomenon. than
rapid and irresistible spread Of the
Goths, during the first centuries of our
era. Issuing from the forests Of Scan
dinavia, they crossed the Baltic. over.
came in battle the fierce denizens Of
the Hercynian forest, encountered and
vanquished the wild and rowing nations
Of Scythia, challenged boldly the maj.
estv of Rome, and carried their arms
from the frozen sea TO the Euxlne and
Mediterranean, and from the Eolga to
the Atlantic. Historians affirm that
the Cimbri and TeutOns who invaded
italy about one hundred years before
| Christ, aud filled Rome with conster.
nation, and the repulse of whom taxed
the genius of Marius and the utmost
energies of the republic, came from
beyond the Baltic, and were in fact the
ancestors and precursors of the GOths
who came later. But while this may
be something Of a probability, it is no
thing more; and it was not until two
centuries and a half after the birth OF
| Christ, during the reign of Philip or
| Decius, that the Go,hs and the Romans
| certainly met face TO face. The legiOns
were astonished at their terrible yalor,
| and carried to Rome the tidings Of a
new race Of men, tall of stature, with
| fair skin, blue eye, and yellow hair"
who had appeared upon the frontiers of
the empire. The strangers o afforded
the Romans ample opportunities for
forming an acquaintance. The emper-
ors discerned the policy Of c%ultivating
the friendship rather than the enmity
of this formidable people; enlisted in
the service of the empire they became
its staunchest defenders; and a large
body of Goths accompanied Julian in
his expedition into Persia. During the
reign of Valens, pressed by the advance
of the Huns, from whom they fed nor
in superstitious fear than from the
strength Of their arms, a million Cloths
were transported across the rapid cur
rent of the Danube and landed in ST.
lesia. This is the most memorable
passage of that river which has SO often
-oftener than any other ~river-been
crossed and recroSsed by c~ontending
nations. The GOths sought ard were
promised friendship and hospitality:
they were subjected to an artificial
famine. Exasperated they few to arms.
and in the battle Of Adrianople, where
10000 Romans persisted, they inflicted
upon the armies of Rome the most dis.
astrous overthrow they had sustained
since CanrS. the Gauls encamped
before the walls Of Constantinople a
thousand years before a hostile Turk
troi the soil of Thrace. Fifteen thou
sand GQths Iayaged Anatolia, Greece
terror TO the gates of Rome. Soon after
the great AlaIic arose. While the re-
sources of the empire were vet directed
by the great Stllicho, the warlike enter
prises Of the Gothic chieftain were IN
some measure foiled. and the field of
Pollentia attested the lingering and
spasmOdic vitality of the monarchy:
but when that able minister fell beneath
the dagger of Honorious. the support of
the empire fell also. Alaric advanced
and laid siege TO Rome. Twice did the
great city, the conQueror of Hannibal
and Mithridates, purchase its deliver
ance, but no longer, as in the DAYS of !
Camillus, with iron instead Of gold
Alarlc returned the third time. AM on
the oath Of August, 40. the Goths ira
versed the streets of Rome: and the
of warriors that had issued from
the forests of Scandinavia, stood in tri.
umph upon the Capitoline hill.
Forty years later Theoderic with his
marched with Aetius, the Ro-
man. to repel the tremendous Eruption
IF the Huns. overthrow Attila on the
plains Of Champagne and rescue Europe
from the domination of al Asiatic bar
In this dreadful battle the
7alOr Of the Goths determined the re-
'ult.
The survival Of the fittest, is a new
heory. but An Old principle. In the
!lgantic connections upon the CONT.
lent Of Europe during the fourth. fifth.
md sixth centuries. when nations and
aces contended for the mastery, the
las been nurtured in the bosom Of the
rec institutions, and he has a sympa.
hetlc yearning to commune with a
'eople who from the dawn of their
history nave despised servitude and de-
ed the oppressor. Gen. Grant will find
hat his renown has preceded him to
The people of that land
re no less anxious to see the great
american captain. than is he to tread
heir ancient and famed shores. They
Till receive him. perhaps with less
Of demonstration than did
British nation. yet with no less az
uence of cordiality. According to
heir ability. they will welcome him as |
brother and a friend. M.C.r. !