The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-06-15
SOMERSET PA, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 1898

ernment was the most enlightened and
progressive and the most liberal in al
Europe.
Many Engiishmen went to the Low
Countries and assisted in fighting the
battle that Holland waged so long
against the power that would have en-.
slaved her.
The English Dissenters, we know,
+ were obliged to fly from England on
account OF the persecution of the estab-
lished church. Many of them lived in
Holland ten or twelve years, and some
sailed from thence to America
1t is claimed that numerous laws and
customs which were established by the
Pilgrims and Puritans in New England
and by the Dutch in New York, were
unknown in England, and were di-
rect importation from Holland.
''Under the old Dutch rule.n says
Campbell, "the doctrine was first laid
down by a legislative assembly that
the people are the source of political
authority. Here in New York. was
first established permanent religious
freedom and the freedom of the press. {"
Here one finds some of the institu-
tions which give America its distinct
i've character, while, what is more re-
markabIe, no trace of many of these
same institutions can be found in Eng
land.e
There is apparently good reason to
believe that We owe much to the Dutch
Republic. The successful termination
of their long war for freedom, "extend-
ing over period of eighty years" was
of incalculable benefit to the world at
large, as well as themselves.
The colonists, then, who had not
only the English traditions of govern
ment, but had likewise drank at the
fountain of liberty in Holland, estab-
lished self-government at once. "Be-
fore the Pilgrims landed from the May
flower they formed themselves into
political body, a government of the
people, with just and equal laws"
Hither came from time to time more
adventurous people from England, Ire
land, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Hol-
land, France, (the Huguenots) and
Sweden. In further proof of the cos
mopolitan character of our ancestors,
Mr.. Campbell quotes from "the nara
tive Of Rev. Mr. Burnaby, an Eng
lishman, who in 1859 visited America"
''Of the colonies in general he said
that they are composed of different re-
ligions and different languages. In
Pennsylvania he found the most enter
prising people of the continent. These
he noticed consisted of several nations
who spoke several language"
mine men prominent in the early
history Of New York and the Union,
represent the same number of nation
alities. Schuyler was of Holland, Her
kimer of German, Jay of French, Liv-
ingstone Of Scotc'., Clinton OF Irish,
Morris of Welsh, and Hoffman of Swe-
dish descent. Hamilton was born in
one of the West India islands, and
Baron Steuben, who became citizen
Of New York after the Revolutionary
War, was Prussian."
In a paper on American colonial his
tory, Mr.. Hale says that we do not ap-
preciate what we owe in this country
to peace. So comparatively few men
have been withdrawn from industrial
pursuits that the growth in wealth and
population has been phenomenal.
These people came untrammeled by
feudal institutions, most of them with
an eager desire to serve God, and they
had white paper to write on. fla man
wanted to live to Gods glory he must
not be wasting his time, as was the
vassal of a baron in Germany, or in
England, when that baron did not hap
pen to think of anything for the vassal
10 do"
Freedom was in the very air of the
new cline. After few generations,
the habits of industry, activity and
in which they lived, made
the colonists superior people" By
their indomitable labor the desolate
wilds were made to bloom with fruitful
plants. The homes of freedom rose in
the midst Of cultivated fields. Ship
brought from the sea abundant store of
fish for food, and sailed the world over
employed in useful trade. Manufac-
lures gradually became established,
and, while the colonists engaged in all
these pursuits, the necessities of defense
against Indians trained them to mill
tary service. Later, this experience
was augmented by participation in the
struggle between France and England,
which resulted in the annihilation of
the French power in America" Above
all, they organized States with we'll
pl ,nned governments. executing all
functions. From handful
of pioneers dotting the wilderness in
two or three places, and trembling on
the verge of destruction, they bad
grown into thirteen sturdy republics
impatient of interference with their
liberties, and able to raise armies in
their defense.
Respect for the rights of individuals
and love of the public veal were thor
oughly rooted in the minds of the peo-
pie. The town meeting, particularly
in New England" was the most prom
inent and powerful means of local self
sit was the most perfect democracy |
the world has ever seen. Tae m .eting
seems to resemble in all essential par
ticulars the village assembly or mark |
mote of the early Teutons.n
Historians and philosophers have at
tached the greatest importance to the
influence of the town meeting on AM
arican political ideas, and the final
of the principles contained
therein.
The eolonists had been accustomed |
10 consider themselves subjects of the |
English crown, and it was long before
the idea of separation took shape in
the public mind.