The Tupelo journal., 1903-05-01
MOST NOVEL OF NATIONS.
SeIf-GOverninE People Who uav,
Maintained " Pyrenee"t Repair
lie since CharlemagnJsD Days.


Maintained u Pyreneeaa ReDab-
lie Since CharlemagnJs Days.
Americans travel ncark all over
the world. They have as much of
money as of curiosity, apd their de-
sire to see is gratified. hut you rare
ly meet n who has WISHED Andorra,
the republic of the Pyrlnees, which
has remained semi-indeIendent ever
since the days of Charljmagne, says
the New York Press. When the lat
ter was driving back the Saracens he
found in a harrow vallet high in the
mountains a handful Of Nisigothic
refugees who rendered him material
assistance. In return he gave to
them a charter for the valleys and
sovereignties of AndorIa." They es-
tablished Il republican form of gov
eminent, which is under the Joint
~suzerainty of France and the Spanish
bishop of Urgel. The republic con-
tains about 175 square miles and now
has a population of some 5000
| am tempted TO advert to this
lofty spot because of the singular
theories of its people. When the al
most impossible Pyrenees resound-
ed with the noise of war the An
dorrans tended their locks and cul-
tivated their fields, carefally observ-
ing that strict neutralits which has
been their protection ior nearly 1000
years. Even the heartless Napoleon
turned aside, and wien asked why he
spared Andorra. he said: II 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 were. If
we become rich tn. French will want
our lead and the S,aniards our silver
and then we shall ose our independ-
ence.' For the sane reason they re-
main ignorant. Not one in 100 can
read.
Andorra is dividd into six parishes
and is governed b8a council of "a
or four to each arish-elected for
four years by h.ads of families,
This council electsa first and second
syndic, the forme' exercising execu-
tive power. Criminal justice is adj
ministered by two judges, one APP
pointed by Franc and the other by
the bishop of Jrgel, representing
Spain. The judgewho 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 courcil hall of Andcrra,
which has six ion locks connected
by a chain. Ons key is given to a
consul from each of the six parishes,
and the chest oan never be opened
unless the six consuls are present.
No stranger haaever 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 Charlemagnc.
Is IS anu ItguGtl
it as singulari 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 1.200 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
ters 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 s~tar-routers. Between
the villages of the republic itself
boys carry the mail free. It is only
necessary to post a piece of paper,
without stamp or 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.