Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-09-09
THE WORLDS
GREAT EVENTS
ALBERT PAYsoN TERHUNE
lG By DOdd. Mead q Company
Ch0rlenagne

Ch0rlen1agne
; THERE Is gigantic. long bearded
king, according to old French ira.
diion, who sits asleep at u great
table beneath q mountain, with his
warriors about him. waiting the hour
Of Frances dlrest need, to rise and re-
store her 10 power and peace. The
King to whom legend credits this thou
sand-year slumber was Charlemagne,
emperor of the Franks, who snatched
France from barbarism and raised It
to almost the emlnence formerly held
By ancient Rome.
After ROme's fail her many prov
inces became prey TO whomsoever
could take and hold them. II was a
case OF catch-as-catch-can, with the
strongest arm ever In control OF the
situation. Thus. In turn, first one
chieftain and then another rose to
power. to be deposed by a greater or
to have his territory torn asunder at
his death. II was a time OF endless
struggle. Civilization. culture, the
arts, and progress were all In abey-
ance 10 the law OF sword and flame.
Finally the Franks. little by little.
gained power, by war. coalition or
diplomacy over groups OF other prin-
clpallties until, when Charlemagne
came to the throne. In 772, he found
himself lord OF the land that now COM
prises France and a large part OF
Germany.
While much OF Italy and few other
parts OF Europe were moderately civ
llized. many of Frances nearer neigh
oors were mere savages and some OF
them heathens. Among the latter
we're the wild Saxons, brave, lawIess
race inhabiting Westphalla and Hol-
stein. These Saxons were marauders.
AS such they disturbed the welfare OF
Europe. They had rich possessions.
AS such they reused the cupidity OF
Europe.
Charlemagne discovered that the
Saxons were heather, and set out to
convert them, carrying the Bible In
one hand and the sword in the other
For thirty-two years OF and on the
war lasted. He ravaged their coun-
try, beating Its defenders. In spite OF
their fierce resistance. and demanding
that they accept Christianity. The
bewlldered SaxOns, falling to grasp
the Gospel OF Peace when preached
with sword, pretended 10 submit.
then marched his army
over the Pyrenees and proceeded to
conquer Spain. This he did without
meeting any serious reverse, until, as
he was on his way back. his rear
guard. under command OF the hero
Roland, was ambushed and cut to
pieces
Meantime, the moment his back was
urned, the Saxons had sprung 10 arms +
md heathenlsm once more. Charlie Y
nagne returned to the attack and for
hree decades longer kept up the war.
II the end OF that time the saxons'
ountry was desert and their best
men slain Perforce they submitted
nd consented to be baptized, aban-
Oning forever their heather gods.
then set out TO convert
he NOrsemen OF Scandinavia and the {
atives Of Hungary In like fashion;
nd, TO rescue the Papal states from
heir foes, invaded Italy. r
He welded his conquered lands into .
ne compact and powerful nation. 4
fter the fashion OF the ancient Ro- .
ian conquerers. In recognition OF his
rowess he was formally crowned
nperor OF Rome on Christmas day.
10 A. d
II was In his governing rather than a
his conquest OF other lands that =
rendered his chief serv-
e to progress and humanity for
herever he conquered he carried
lucation, music, the arts and other
influences. He reformed
q corrupt mode Of ruling then in
Igue by dividing on his empire into
stricts. each district under the con-
oil of a count. who was responsible
r its welfare, and who had sub
iiary officials to look after the In
rests and safety Of the people He
as Introduced the new "feudal sys-
N" Of paternai government IN place
the old chaotic methods; q system
n superseded the semi-lawlessHess -
the Dark Ages and advanced the =
'rld's development along all useful
es. Charlemagne and his reign
med, in fact, the link between the
Client and more modern times; be
cen the Out-worn old order and the
" order Of things which was slowly 20
aping the earth's destiny into It's
ssent mold. The emperor was wise
,ugh to take all that was best IN
NoFd system and graft II on the
". France. the great nation of
err days. came into existence during
3 reign, bred by mInglIng Of an.
ut civilization with the hardy and
yer Feutonfc energy.
n 814, at the acme OF his glory,
a. .rartoT In arfqh