Monopolies, depreciation of money, exorbitant prices, are among the obstacles to contend with. If a few commissioners, or regularly established governmental agents, were connected possibly with the legations in the different countries, they would be useful to the colonists in many cases, and would render abuses impossible, etc. It will be a fortunate day for Italians going to Brazil when authorized agents are there to aid them at embarkation and on their farther trips inland. It is to be hoped that public opinion in Italy will become more favorable to emigration. The outcome of this will be that the proprietor, in order to obtain help, will pay better wages, and emigration will not be synonymous with untold misery at home. We may look upon emigration as a step in advance toward the bettering and equalizing of conditions. Rather than solicit the return of the emigrant to his native land, rather than regret that emigration transforms itself from temporary to permanent, we should rejoice that the quality of emigration is improved, the arrangements become more stable, the families are reunited, the mother country influence is strengthened. Emigration is a good thing for the mother country-we utter this sentiment earnestly. It is the safety valve, or security, against envy and class odium, an efficacious instrument in the equalization of human forces. And for Italy, as for all peoples who are late in entering upon new conditions, emigration is a school for the civilizing processes along scientific lines and in adopting new methods. Thus it is the duty of those who have already entered upon the new phases of civilization to assure vigorous protection to the advance guard, composed in part of youthful blood. Protection, material aid, and guidance should be offered to the emigrant. And I salute with great pleasure that part of our emigration which is going to settle in the midst of a people, superior through their methods, perseverance, and economic power, in the very heart of the dominant people of to-day-the Anglo-Saxon race. This race is the dominating one to day, because it is educated to a spirit of reform, which opposes the resigning of one's rights, the frittering away of individual energy, opposes apathy toward work, etc. It is necessary to take the world as it is, and it should be repeated in the chief towns of communes that the emigrant is the best exponent of his country's needs (the best drummer for his own country), and that after him come the experts sent out from the manufactory, the authors, the diplomatists, and lastly the defense by means of the army. ED 95-57 When the battle of Koenigrätz was fought, ending with a decisive victory for the Prussians over the Austrians, Prince Bismarck spoke those winged words: "The schoolmaster has conquered." Indeed, that famous battle was an excellent illustration of the great power of education, and the Prussian schoolmaster has shown that his pen could penetrate deeper than the shot and shell of the Austrians. Even the ancients knew of the great influence of education, and Jewish history has recorded a fact which is equal to that of Koenigrätz. "Jerusalem," says the Talmud, "was besieged by the Romans, and the once powerful Hebrew nation was crushed to death by the legions of the pagans. While Vespasian besieged the City of the Lord, wherein civil war and starvation killed more people than the arrows of the Roman archers, an humble Rabbi, Johannes ben Saki by name, knelt before the great victorious Emperor, praying for mercy for his people. 'What shall I grant you?' asked the proud victor. 'Grant me,' replied the sage in a low voice, 'the school of Jabne and its schoolmasters."" The victor granted the request. He probably never dreamed that from that little school the national spirit of the Hebrews would rise with more vigor. How could he, when it looked as though the whole nation were wiped from the face of the earth. Jerusalem was a pile of débris; her people had been slaughtered by thousands or made cripples. Those 1 An historical sketch of educational evolution among the ancient Hebrews and other primitive nations. England the right of Parliament to make laws for America was loudly denied, and active resistance was openly advocated. The stamp act became a law in 1765. The news was received everywhere in America with an outburst of indignation, and, in Boston particularly, with much rioting. The merchants of the chief towns combined to purchase no more English goods until the obnoxious act was repealed. No stamp distributer dared exercise his office, or say that he had stamps in his possession, for the mob seized all that they could find and burnt them. It was found impossible to put the act in force, and while resistance lasted trade was at a standstill. In the meantime a change of ministry occurred in England. The stamp act was reconsidered and repealed a year after its enactment, but at the same time a declaratory act was passed asserting the right of Parliament to tax the colonies. The news of the repeal of the former measure was received in America with much rejoicing, but the triumph of the colonies had the effect of encouraging the more violent of the agitators in America to further resistance against the supremacy of Parliament. French agents soon appeared on the scene to fan by intrigues the spirit of opposition. Boston and New York refused to supply the British troops with provisions and barracks in accordance with the act of Parliament. Conduct of this kind produced much irritation in England, and led the ministry to take steps to strengthen its authority in America by making the governors and judges in the various States less dependent upon the people. To accomplish this it was decided in 1767 to raise a revenue in America to pay the salaries of the governors and judges. The annual sum required scarcely amounted to £40,000. In order to obtain this amount, a duty was laid upon glass, red and white lead, painters' colors, paper, and tea imported into the colonies. Such imposts were in accordance with the acknowledged rights of Parliament to regulate trade but the colonists now resented this measure as bitterly as they did the stamp act. They strongly objected to have their governors and judges made independent of the assemblies by receiving salaries from a fund over which they could have no control. Under the belief that their liberties were at stake, the various assemblies agreed to abstain from the use of English manufactures, and especially from the articles upon which duties were levied. Opposition was most fierce in New England, especially in Massachusetts. So riotous were the mobs in the seaport towns, and so openly defiant of the trade laws, that troops and warships were sent to overawe Boston, which was the center of resistance. The arrival of a military and naval force supplied another cause of grievance and increased the spirit of opposition. A collision took place one night between a mob of boys and men and a small military patrol. The latter discharged their firearms into the crowd, killing three men and wounding several others. This "massacre," as it was called, created the utmost excitement throughout the colonies and furnished skillful agitators with a powerful weapon against England. Indeed this affray had much to do in bringing about the American Revolution. * Meetings were held in every important place to protest against the action of the British Government, and it was decided to hold a congress of delegates from all the States at Philadelphia to discuss their relations with the mother country. This important meeting, or "Continental Congress" as it was called, took place in September, 1774. All the States, excepting Georgia, were represented. Among the delegates were George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams-all famous names in the story of American Independence. The Congress approved the conduct of the people of Boston, drew up a declaration of rights, moved addresses to the King and people of Great Britain, and finally resolved to hold no commercial intercourse with the mother country until their grievances were removed. No mention was made of separation, or any desire expressed for independence. The King and his advisers, with the support of a large majority in Parliament, refused to make any concession to the colonists. In vain the great Earl of Chatham in the House of Lords, and other statesmen in the Commons, pleaded for conciliation. The Government * was determined to enforce obedience. The Congress appointed George Washington, a Virginia gentleman, as the commander in chief of the American army. Washington had commanded the Virginia militia with great success in the wars against the French, and had attained to the rank of colonel. The success of the American Revolution was mainly due to his appointment to the chief command. Only a man of his skill, firmness, patience, and judgment could overcome the jealousies of the various States, the want of discipline of the soldiers, the lack of money and stores, all of which, on several occasions, threatened the collapse of the revolt. He was always hopeful in the greatest difficulties, and cautious in every undertaking. He was known, besides, as a man of the highest integrity, whose truth and honor were never called in question. * The year 1780 was marked by greater military activity in America. In the spring months General Clinton landed in the neighborhood of Charleston with an army from New York, of which a great number were American loyalists. His object was the subjugation of the Southern States. Charleston was obliged to capitulate. The surrender of its garrison, ships, cannon, and well-stored magazines was a deadly blow to the Revolution in that quarter. Clinton then returned to New York with a large part of his army, leaving Lord Cornwallis to continue the war in the South. The American forces, attempting to check the progress of Cornwallis, were almost annihilated in two engagements, but by a system of guerrilla warfare they prevented the British from conquering North Carolina. The subjugation of South Carolina and Georgia was, however, complete. The Americans, at this time, were in a deplorable state. Money and stores were sadly wanting, and the troops were discontented and rebellions. The desire for peace was general. The continuance of the war entirely depended upon foreign aid, and the most ardent in the Revolutionary cause knew that they would never achieve success unless the supremacy of England at sea could be overcome. The latter country had this year reasserted its claim to be mistress of the seas, for both in America and in Europe she kept the fleets of France under blockade. The gloomy prospects of the Revolution, together with personal grievances, determined the American general, Benedict Arnold, to betray his countrymen. He was in command of the fortress of West Point, on the river Hudson, which was considered to be the key of the American position. This, as well as the army of occupation, he resolved to place in the hands of General Clinton. Negotiations for this purpose were carried on through Major André, a young British officer high in command and of great promise. Having completed all arrangements, André set out on foot from West Point to return to New York, and fell into the hands of some American militia. The treasonable papers were found upon him, and he was arrested, condemned, and hanged as a spy. Arnold fled as soon as he heard of the arrest. He afterwards served in the war as a general in the British army. Loud complaints were made by the opponents of peace about the treatment of the American loyalists, or Tories, as they were called, who had taken service under the Crown, or aided its cause in any way. So bitter was the feeling against them, that 100,000 found it necessary to seek new homes in British territory, chiefly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. England allowed half-pay to those who had served as officers in the army, and also pensioned many others in compensation for their losses. The results of the war, after all, were less injurious to England than to her European adversaries. Though her national debt was largely increased, and her Empire shorn of the American colonies, she made rapid progress in trade, manufactures, and general improvement. Very different was the fortune of France. * |