Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-05
ICELAND FAMOUS ISL ID.
A Republic Which Has Flcurished
 Under Assembly Rule.
For Centuries . Sent of Learning and . Eorao fer Frec InstitutIons-An In- tcrestiug Chapter on Its Set-
 tlement and ProErcss.

FoF Ocsouftes Q Seat or Learning and
 Eorac fer Free InstitutIons-An In-
 terestIng Chapter on Its Sct-
 tlement and Progress.
 
 In the latterpart of theninth century, when Norway was disturbed by polit- ical animosities. many of her nobility ql.. their native land, their estates and homes, and settled in Iceland. Here, on an isolated island in the broad Atlantic, they founded republic which for centuries Gourished, free from the tyran- ny cf kiags or an alien government. It was model, republic. The legislative power was vested in the althing, an as- sembly where tho more influential men met once a year to discuss national questions. Tn this modest legislature some specimens of oratory and states manship were displayed that have never been excelled. The althing vies with the immortal Roman senate for the glory of ancient legislation.
 The only religion of the Icelanders was the same as that of other Scandi- navian nations, their principal gods being Thor and Odin. Christianity was established in the year 1000, and the manner in which it was finally accom- plished was remarkable. All the nobles and leaders of the island had flocked with their retinues to the althing. Some of these had already adopted Christianity; the others were radically opposed to it. A discussion now arose as to which religion should be taken as the state religion. Both parties con- tended desperately for their principles and both prepared for battle, that the sword might decide, but at the last hour a compromise was effected by se- lecting one man, a man admitted to be the wisest of the land, who should de- eide the question. This person was Thorgier. He betool himself to his own ''booth," where he stayed for three days, not taking any food nor permit l ting anyone to come near him. Having reached a conclusion, Thorgier arose and went to the althing to announce | his decision. It was that Christianity should be the religion of the land. Both factions, true to their promise, submit ted to the decision.
 During this medieval period liter ature and learning hourished on the 1 island and Iceland came to be known as the Land of the Skald (poet) and | Saga (history)." Hither resorted the
 
 dinavian nations draw their historical knowledge from facts preserved in the Icelandic language.
 | It was in the tenth century that an Icelander by the name of Eric and called the Red, discovered Greenland. | Tn l001 his more famous son, Leifur Heppni (Leif the Fortunate), discovered an unknown land on the west side of l Hr, Sal, Ia 1al @1o abundance of vines growing there, Vim land. The point at which Jeff landed is now known to have been with in the present confines of the United States, probably in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. Here the Icelanders formed little colony, which struggled but the fact remains that the voyagers from Iceland were the earliest Euro. pean settlers of our country.
 A period of decay in the Icelandic history begins when it was brought under the Norwegian scepter. Later on the island became a Danish province and remains so yet. With the loss oi | independence begins a condition of op pression from foreign government. constitution given to the country 1T 1874, however, has greatly improved tho recent political status of the country and the island is at present making rapid progress both in commercial anC industrial matters.
 Twenty years ago the Icclanders be gan to imrnigrate to America, and thos, in the United States and Canada nov number ten thousand Minnesota ant North Dakota are favorite locations il the United States and Manitoba il Canada. In the city of Winnipeg, Man. there are no less than three thousand O them. Icelanders prove themselves t. be desirable citizens and are everywher, acknowledged as an honest and indus trious people.
 In the interest of these people ther are now published in America thre newspapers, one monthly periodical de voted to ecclesiastical matters, and al annual pamphlet of the same nature They have synod of their own belong ing to- the Lutheran church, to whicl church the larger number of the scat tered congregations belong. Prepara tions are now being made for establish ing higher institution of learnin under the auspices of the Icelandi synod.