Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-04-23
MOST NOVEL OF NATIONS.
Self-GOvernins People Who Have
Maintained a Pyreneean Repub-
lie Since Charlemagne's Days.

a.
Americans travel nearly all over
the world. They have as much OF
money as of curiosity, and their de.
sire to see is gratified. But you rare.
ly meet n who has visited Andorra,
the republic of the Pyrenees, which
has remained semi-independent ever
since the days of Charlemagne, says
the New York Press. When the lat.
ter was driving back the Saracens he
found in a narrow valley high in the
mountains a handful of Visigothic
refugees who rendered him material
assistance. In return he gave to
them a charter "for the valleys and
sovereignties of Andorra." They es.
tablished a republican form of gov.
eminent, which is under the Joint
suzerainty of France and the Spanish
bishop of Urgel. The republic con-.
tains about IT'S square miles and now
has a population of some 5000.
| am tempted to advert to this
lofty spot because of the singular
theories of it's people. When the al
most impossible Pyrenees resound.
ed with the noise of war the An.
dorrans tended their flocks and cul.
tivated their fields, carefully observ-
ing that strict neutrality which has
been their protection for nearly 1000
years. Even the heartless Napoleon
turned aside, and when asked why he
spared Andorra, he said: Il reserve
that little republic as a political
curiosity" The mountains TEEN with
valuable ores, but there is no min
ing. The inhabitants say: I'VE must
remain poor, as our fathers we're. If
we become rich the French will want
u lead and the Spaniards our silver
and then we shall lose our independ-
ence." For the same reason they re-
main ignorant. Not one in 100 can
read.
Andorra is divided into six parishes
and is governed by a council of a.
or four to each parish--elected for
four years by heads of families,
This council elects a first and second
syndic, the former exercising execu-
tive power. Criminal justice is adj
ministered by two judges, one ap-
pointed by France and the other by
the bishop of Urgel, representing
Spain. The judge who passes on civil
cases is appointed alternately by the
two suzerains. Appeals may be
taken to the court of cessation at
Paris or to the episcopal college at
Urgel. A permanent delegate looks
after the French interests.
A massive chest is built into the
wall of the council hall of Andorra,
which has six iron locks connected
by a chain. One key is given to a
consul from each of the six parishes,
and the chest can never be opened
unless the six consuls are present.
No stranger has ever been permitted
to see the contents of this mysterious
box, but they are believed to be
sheets of lead upon which was writ.
ten the charter of Charlemagne.
Ethnologists and biologists regard
it as singular that through all the
centres the population of Andorra
has not materially changed, remain
ing between 5000 and 5000. Prop
erty descends to the eldest child. If
a daughter inherits and marries her
husband takes her maiden name.
The people speak with a German
accent the language of both France
and Spain. They are hospitable to
the last degree, every house being
open at all times to strangers. They
are active, healthy, moral. indus
trious and have maintained their in
dependence, civil and religious, for
nearly 1900 years, because of their
ignorance and poverty.
This little political curiosity" as
Napoleon styled it, is the only state
in Europe which does not make use
OF postage stamps. 1t has both, post
and telegraph, although there is not
a carriage road in the republic. Let
tiers to or from France have French
stamps. Couriers carry the mail free
from the capital, Andorra, to the
boundary line and deliver it to French
or Spanish star-routers. Between
the villages of the republic itself
boys carry the mail free. 1t is only
necessary to post a piece of paper,
without stamp OF frank, to have it
delivered at its destination in the
shortest possible time. All expenses
Of the government are betrayed by
the rents paid to the community for
the use Of pasture lands.
Strong Proof.