West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-06-02
ICELAND'S FAMOUS ISLE.
A Republic Which Has Flourished
Undor Assembly Rulo.
FOR Centuries n Seat OF Learning and q
Home for Free fnstitutions-An In
tsresting Chapter on It's Set
Element and Progress.

In the latter part of the ninth century,
when Norway was disturbed by polit-
ical animositics, many of her nobility
quit their native land, their estates and
homes. and settled In Iceland. Here, on
an isolated island in the broad Atlantic,
they founded a republic which for
centuries nourished, lrec from the tyran-
ny OF kings or an alien government. IL
was a model. republic. The legislative
power was vested in the althing, an as
sembly where the more influential men
met once n year TO discuss national
questions. In this modest legislature
some specimens of oratory and states
nanship were displayed that have
never been cxcelled. The althing vies
with the immortal Roman senate for
the glory OF ancient legislation.
The only religion of the Icclnnders
was the same as that of other Scandi-
naviaD nations, their principal gods
being Thor and Odin. Christianity was
established in the year 1000. and the
manner in which IL was finally accom-
plished was remarkable. All the mobiles
and leaders Of the island had floclsed
with their rctinues TO the althing.
Some of these had already adopted
Christianity; the others We're radically
opposed TO it. A discussion now arose
rs 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 n compromise was effected by Sc
lecting one man, nan admitted to be
the wisest of the land, who should de-
eide the question. This person was
Thorgier. lie betooi himself to his
own booth" where he stayed for three
days, not taking any food nor permit
ting anyone TO come near him. Having
reached a conclusion, Thorgicr arose
and went to the althing to announce
his decision. IL was that Christianity
should be the religion of the land. Roth
factions, true TO their promise, submit
ted TO the decision.
During this medieval period liter
nture and learning nourishcd on the
island and Iceland came to be known
as the Land of the Sllald (poet) and
Saga thistoryl." Hithcr rcsorted the
historian, and even to-day nll the Scan
dinavian nations draw their historical
knowledge from facts preserved in the
lcefandic language.
IL was in the tenth century that an
lcelandcr by the name of Eric and
called the Rcd, discovered Greenland.
In 1901 his more famous son. Leifur
Heppni (Leif the Fortunately, discovered
an unknown land on the west side of
the Atlantic, which he called, from the
abundance Of vines growing there, Vim
land The point at which Left landed
Is now known 10 have been with
In the present confines of the United
States. probably in Massachusetts, or
Rhode Island. Here the Icelandcrs
formed little colony, which struggled
along for few years and then vanished;
but the fact remains that the voyapers
from Iceland were the earliest Euro-
pean settlers Of our country.
period of decay in the Icelandic
history begins when it was brought
under the Norwegian sceptcr. Later on
the island became Danish province.
and remains 50 yet With the loss of
independence begins a condition of on
preston from foreign government A
constitution given To the country in
1874, however. has greatly improved the
recent political status of the country.
and the island Is at present making
rapid progress both in commercial and
Industrial matters.
Twenty years ago the Icolandcrs be-
gan To immigratc 20 America. and those
In the United States and Canada now
number ten thousand Minnesota and
North Dakota arc favorite locations In
the United States and Manitoba In
Canada In the city Of Winnipeg. Man.
there are no less than three thousand OF
them Icclandcrs prove themselves to
be desirable citizens and are everywhere
nclinoslecs I'd as an honest and indus
trious people.
In the interest Of these people there
are now published in America three
newspapers, ono monthly periodical de-
voted 70 ecclesiastical matters. and an
annual pamphlet Of the same nature.
They have a synod Of their own belong
ing % the Lutheran church. % which
church the larger number Of the scat
tered congregations belong Prepare
lions arc now being made for establish
ing a higher institution 81 learning
under the auspices Of the Icelandic
synod