The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-05-26
SAN MARlNo TINY ALLY
Republic of 1900 Inhabitants Found
ed 1900 Yeara Ago.

Republic OF ll,UUU in1apitdntS rouHu-
ed 1900 Yeara Ago.
Washington, May 22.-"Founded by
man whose parting prayer was that
it never increase its territory by yio-
lence, San Marine, which has extend
ed rights of citizenship to President
Wilson, is an enduring monument to
that ideal, while mighty Germany has
been laid low by an exactly opposite
ambition says a bulletin from the
National Geographic society
This tiny nation. "our littlest ally"
is described by Alice Robe who wrote
the communication on which the bull
letin iS based, az follows.
THE position of San Marine, 10
miles from Rimini, is singular This
little republic, whose greatest length
is nine miles, is completely surround
cd by Italy, who respects its autono-
my, as have rulers Of the past, with a
few feeting exceptions, since the
pious Dalmatian gtone-cuttAr left
the mountain to his followers free
from every other man.
"That this little republic, which to-
day has 1000 inhabitants and an
area OF 80 square miles, has main
tanned its independence, its ideal Of
liberty, inl the midst Of strife and
bloodshed, OF changing social condi-
tons, for 16 centuries, adds dignity
to the unwavering belief OF the trust
ing ones in the never-ceasing protec-
/ ton of the saintly founder 3t isk
THE position Of the mountain, far
from the great Roman roads, the Via
Flaminia and via Aeniilia; sufficient
!. ly distant from the coast to be safe
from wartime invasion, the strong
hold imprepnable to assault by med
ieyal armies; the retiring and unosten
tatious, peace-seeking character OF
the inhabitants; the comparative
poverty OF the country--all contribut,
ed to San Marines being left alone,
But external reasons were not suf-
ilcient-there was, an interval cause
which existed in its institutions and
its morality.
In the life of the republic today
the Influence Of the Dalmation saint
is strongly reflected For country
to maintain the characteristics Of its
primitive founder is social phenom
enon of which possibly San Marine
alone can boast.
During the days of Christian per
secutions, in the middle of the fourth
century, Marine and Leo, two stone
cutters of Arbc, Dalmatia, crossed the
Adriatic and came to Rimini. Their
reason, says tradition was to aic
Christians, condemned by pagan rul
ers. to reconstruct the walls OF thai
city.
THE walls OF Rimini having beer
finished, Leo and Marine looked long
ingly upon the solitude of the tive
mountains. As the hermits OF thu
Thebiad, who hourished at this same
period, they sought peace and solitude
in those impenetrabie heights. Hew
ing a bed from the rock and cult
waiting a little garden, Marino fount
all his material wants supplied Thi
rough bed and site OF the garden arr
pointed out today by reverent peas
ants
"A few followed their former over
seers in order TO practice, undisturbe'
their Christian faith.
From neighboring fields and pas
lures and little settlements, came tn
weary and oppressed, seeking peac
and the Christian faith upon tn
two mounts. Poor and simple pee
pie, their wants were easily satisfied
Soon two small villages or colonie
: sprang up about the little churche
taking the names OF the two apostle
The influences OF San Leo have bee
wiped out by the centuries, while thu
of San Marine exists today.
Marines desire was to found
| free society, based upon liberty, IN
, tice, simplicity. charity, virtue, an
above ALL a love of peace. When Il
good man came to die he called h
D followers about him and bequeath'
to them his mountain, free fro
: every other man. His parting pray'
= was that they never seek enlargemel
n of territory by violent means. Wa
though painful necessity for tho
acting in selfdefense, was an unpar
enable crime in those who caused
Begging his followers to remain trl
to the faith and TO live in perfect a
cord. freemen all, he passed away J
tie dreaming that in the goth centu
his little community would stand,
monument to his peaceful teachin
and simple form OF government In q
midst Of a war.torn world