The Irish standard., 1906-03-17
AN OLD REPUBLIC.

AN OLD REeusL,c.
Many Persons % Not Know Where
San Marine Is.
The greatest republic in the world
has just signed a treaty with the
smallest republic and by this action
has recognized the latter's indcpcn-
dence and sovereignty. The little
country with which the United States
has entered into displomatic relations
is the miniature state of San Marino,
which has an area OF thirty-eight
square miles and a population of 5000
men, women and children,
Nine people out of ten do not know
where San Marino Is, and have no idea
Of the history OF this the oldest re-
public in the world, or the effect Il.
has had upon present day civilization.
1t lies in that part Of Italy which was
exposed peculiarly to the bloody, de-
vastating wars of the middle ages and
to the horrors of political revolutions,
which at last brought about the uni
fication of the Italian kingdom. But
San Marino, stanchly determining to
preserve its autonomy. succeeded in
repelling invaders, not alone through
the courage Of its inhabitants but be-
cause Of its strong natural defenscs.
its fortunate political combinations, its
restricted territory, and the absence Of
ambition on the part of it's people to
enlarge the area Of their land,
It is with this state that the United
States has found it snecessary to ne
gotiate u treaty. It HAS found that
criminals were seeking a refuge with
in its boundaries.
San Marino Is as firmly opposed to
the surrender of persons guilty Of
political crimes as is the United States
and the treaty expressly provides that
persons extradited under the conven-
ton shall not be tried, punished, nor
given up to a third power for political
crime or offense. After the assassina-
ton Of President Mckinley all extra
dition treaties negotiated by the
United States contained an identical
clause providing for the extradition Of
any person killing the head of state
and most of them were ratified, but
when the treaty with Spain was con-
sidered the senate withheld it's con-
sent. In the treaty with San Marino
no such provision is included.
So far as its republicanism and laws
are concerned, San Marino can give
points to the United States. 1t was
founded in the early days Of the fourth
century, while imperial Rome con-
tinued its persecution Of Christians.
A poor stone cutter named Marinus,
who became converted to the new faith
and who was vcnomously pursued by
his pagan oppressors. sought refuge
upon Mount Titanus, in the mountain
range known as the Apennines He
established there a Christian hermit
age, and towards 1t as haven fiocked
tho faithful.
It's fame soon spread, and even sailors
who had embraced the mysterious new
faith would turn toward it in moments
| Of danger and vow to make II pill
grinage to 1t in case of escape.
Tradition and history have defied
the ignorant stone cutter. The people
find in his prudence, industry, honesty
religious life. and intense love of liberty
a constant source of emulation, and
their possession Of these qualities has
gained for them the respect Of all with
whom they have come in contact
They proclaimed themselves a republic
In 1491. though they had lived under
republican principles for ten centuries
They took part in the renaissance thai
swept over Europe, giving birth to
splendid manifestations in the world
OF letters and art, and then fell into
Il general Iethargy, so one of their
historians called attention to the fact
that negligence in the administration
of justice and want Of energy in the
government weaned the citizens from
love of country: the patriotic fasces
were loosened, the council was without
power. the administrative body without
force, reformers of laws without energy
and patriotism"
Fortunately for the republic 1t was
afflicted in 1892 by terrible famine
and in the presence Of danger thu
spirit of republican fraternity revived
The rich gave Of their possessions t.
the poor. citizens encouraged the mag.
istrates to do their duty, and 1t wa,
not long before the old virtues ant
noble passions which had produced
prosperity and happiness for the peo.