Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-08
BRITISH BAN ON LACES
HITS ANCIENT ST. GALL
sWt". Town Wns Among First "R,.
pubitc"' OF Early Centuries-Noted
for Its Priceless Lihrarr.


for Its Priceless Library.
WASHINGTON. Apr;t The British
ban on lace imports in "A severe blow
10 the swiss lace industry, and no
where In Switzerland is IL felt NOR,
seriously than in St Call, where tho
manufacturers have announced n sus-
pepsion OF operations or a great di-
ninution OF output. Interviewing
was introduced into this town as carly
as the eleventh. century. The inhab-
itants showed a particular skill in the
art. and 1t has continued as an hcredi-
tary gift. To-day the town is the CEN
ter OF the machine embroidery trade
and the workmen are renowned for
their ski!i and ability in design and
execution. Reviewing the history and
geography of ST, Gall. the National
Geographic Society in a bulletin to-
day says:
Historically and in point OF loca-
ton St. Gall IL very Interesting and but
little frequcntcd by tourists.
According TO the chroniciers. St Co
iumba came out OF Ireland early in the
seventh century 10 evangelize tho
heather In France. accompanied by
Gallus. one Of his disciples, who. be-
coming Ill at Brcgenz, on Lake Con-
stance, was left there. founded a
chapel In the ruins OF an old castle
which sheltered three gilded images
worshiped by the Helvetians and be-
gan his work OF proselytiZing. At
a monastery around which grew 81.
Gall. THIS abbey was aftcrward con-
trolled by the Benedictines and be-
came ono OF the leading seats Of learn
ing from the eighth to the tenth CEN
fury.
Became Dominating influence.
In loGl the Abbot Norpert of St
Gall erected religious house ut Ncu-
stadt on the Sitter River. the place TAX
ing the name OF Abbatis Celia -Appcn-
ho nh ~ sol
the dominating influence in the land.
But prosperity hardened their hearts.
For the cross was substituted the mace.
and as Individual liberty seems TO be
a condition inseparnble from mountain
life II was not long before the Appen-
zcllcrs shook themselves free from
abbatial control and in the thirteenth
century set up an establishment OF
their own. In 1898 Abbot kuna, OF
Staufen, endcavored TO regain the SOW
1905 Duke Frederick. OF Austria, and
the Abbot OF ST. Gall incenscd at
defeat two years previously, once more
essayed TO conquer tho Appenzcllers.
Though the herdsmen were far out
numbered by the troops under the SOL
der and the monk they fought des-
perately. During the battle the APP
pencil women appeared in the dis
t;,ncc with their white chemses drawn
over their clothes. and believing tho
the spirit land the invaders took refuge
in flight. This ended the attempt to
conquer the men OF the mountains.
Has Priceless Library.
est. Galrs chief claim TO distinction
is it's library. which contains Il price
less collection of old manuscripts. To
the abbey. in ancient days, princes and
Popcs sent choice manuscripts; monks
wrote out the sermons of the priests
and copied the writings or the fathers;
some wrote the chronicles of their
times. and gradually there wore gath
cred here treasures OF parchmcuts and
books. for in the thick darkness of me-
dieval years st. Gall was one of the
three great lights OF learning and
Christian influence which shone out on
tho gross ignorance OF the period.
ranking with the monasteries OF Fulda,
In the north. and Of Monte Casino, In
the south of Europe.
when the armies OF Napoleon over
ran Switzerland in 1893 they found
II number of little democracies flour
ishing In the midst OF oligarchics born
OF the dark ages. and the purcst demo-
cracy Of them all was the republic OF
st. Gall Switzerland then consisted
of thirteen miniature states. Some
were republics fighting among them
selves, some dsorderly oligarchIcs,
some aristocracics and one or two UNI
der dictatorship.
ITO compel the organization of a
central government was Bonapartc's
aim. The whole fabric of the republic
of st. Gall was based upon the up
rightness and morality OF the citizens.
A man who was not religious could
not hold office. they placed no DEEPEN
dence upon armies; they substituted
understanding for guns; partisanshiD
did not exist; office holding was COM
pulsory. but officials who made good
were retained as long as their special
fitness lasted. Lawyers were not per-
mitted in court and written pleadings
were unknown. Cases wcrn tried by
the judge personally, settled in a few
hours and with a. minimum Of ex-
pensc. Spendthrifts wcre placed UNI
der guardianship; drinking debts could
not be collected; choating was a crime.
But the purpose or Napoleon was not
TO be bal!;ed, and May 90, 1893, ror tho
last time the burgomastor and citv
officials marched In solemn procession
to the public square md announced
tho end of thoir litur republic, lin
death was n9 simple and unostontutious