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Electric Scotland News
British and German navies to mark Battle of Jutland
Former enemies’ navies will lay wreaths in North Sea to commemorate first world war’s biggest naval battle, in which nearly 9,000 sailors died.
Read more at http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...battle-jutland
Scottish universities need to play bigger part on world stage
Scotland’s universities are gaining an international reputation for government interference and suppression of critical thought.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/educati...#axzz3noLVwLLD
Scotland's environment in serious trouble
A total of 23 organisations compiled the Responses for Nature report and have now called on the Scottish government to take urgent action.
Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34511906
Scot wins Nobel economics prize
British academic Angus Deaton has been awarded the Nobel economics prize for 2015 for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare.
Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34505586
SNP facing first rebellion at Westminster
THE SNP is facing the first rebellion among its new MPs.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/snp-...#axzz3noLVwLLD
Scandal and incompetence stalk the SNP
Even as the faithful prepare to gather in Aberdeen, the party’s manifold flaws are beginning to show.
Read more at:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentis...ence-stalk-snp
Two new Lockerbie bombing suspects identified
They believe the two suspects were involved, along with Abdelbaset al-Megrahi - the only person to have been convicted of the 1988 atrocity.
Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34543983
Electric Canadian
OSMTH
Did a video about OSMTH, the Knights Templar International, and the Canadian Grand Priory. I was trying to inform folk about the order so hope it makes sense.
You can view this at: https://youtu.be/z7n7XgGHuuk
They have just had their International meeting in Germany and have released...
OSMTH RESOLUTION NR 12 OF 2015
Manitoulin
Added an interesting 2 part video to our page on this largest fresh water island in the world. You can get to this at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist.../chapter50.htm
The Moose
As Moose are very numerous in Canada so thought I'd add this video about them which you can watch at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/moose.htm
Arthur B. MacDonald
2015 Nobel Prize in Physics added to our Famous Scots page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ald_arthur.htm
Indian trapper
Found this old 1941 film about an Indian trapper of the Cree nation with a Scottish name. You can view this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...ree/videos.htm
Gleanings from the Western Prairies
By Rev. W. E. Youngman (1882)
A VOLUME of simple word painting, in effort to sketch that far Western Prairie life, to lay it unglossed before you. Accept it as such, and you won't be disappointed, I hope, as scenes are grouped before you which happened in days and nights already sunk into Eternity.
It may be strange to invite you to that far frontier, and show you the life and ways of men who have gone forth from our own old world, drawn to that new world by that solo boon of man — hope. Yet hope does much for poor humanity. I think it was Carlyle who wrote of hope thus: "O blessed hope, sole boon of man, whereby on his strait prison walls are painted beautiful far-stretching landscapes, and into the night of very death is shed holiest dawn. Thou art to all an indefeasible possession in this God's world—to the wise a Constantine-like banner written on the eternal skies, under which they shall conquer, for the battle itself is victory: to the foolish some secular mirage, or shadow of still waters painted on the parched Earth, whereby at least their dusty pilgrimage, if devious, becomes cheerfuller, becomes possible."
A friend told me before I know that Western life, "It's like a small drizzling rain wetting a man to the skin. Its ennui will soak into your soul." I don't agree with him now I know Western life, although at that time my friend's remark made me dread Western travel. If you, Reader, are as agreeably surprised as I was, we, as you close this volume, shall part good friends.
Should my poor thoughts awaken a nobler thrill of sympathy within you, and give you but a passing interest in that busy frontier, and that wild Indian world, so far distant yet close to our own, now that Steamers plough the strong waves of the Atlantic, and the Iron Road stretches onward to Indian Territory, my time will not have been vainly spent, the arrow will have flown to the target's heart. To my Ecclesiastical Friends I would suggest the importance of giving some kind of recommendation to families leaving their parishes to the Clergy of the Country and district whither they are going. Many who are good Christians in Europe recede totally from their faith abroad, and in the heterogeueous mass of society they find on the frontier of the New World lead faithless and loveless lives. And yet a kind word, or a friendly interest, might have made all so different.
You can download this book from http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion.../gleanings.pdf
Polish Canadians
Updated our Polish Canadian page with new text and a few videos and you can get to this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/poland.htm
Electric Scotland
MacIntyre
I got in a new article and an updated article from Alistair K. MacIntyre, "A History of the Clan Chattan Macintyres in Badenoch" is the new one and the updated one is "Bard Macintyre of Badenoch".
As to the new article he says...
A History of the Clan Chattan Macintyres in Badenoch is a much expanded, illustrated version of an article prepared for the Clan Chattan Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2008, The Macintyres of Badenoch, A Short History. Still far from complete, but a foundation, at least, for further research on this previously anonymous branch of Clan Macintyre and the Clan Chattan confederation.
As to the updated one he says...
The Bard Macintyre´, progenitor of the Ba denoch Macintyres, has been almost entirely forgotten, yet was once a poet of the very highest standing. One day, looking at the work of Scottish artist Will MacLean, I came across his enigmatic piece ´Bard Macintyre´s Box´. This led me to wonder whether he could be the 1496 bard who appears – in name only, and that incomplete - in every potted history of the clan. The mystery of the poem and its very obscurity, historically, appealed to MacLean, who suspected it to be from the 18th century. Thanks to the artwork and its supporting text, I learned that some of this poet´s work had survived intact – and later that they graced the pages of Scotland´s oldest collection of Gaelic verse! On obtaining full translations, it became clear from clues in the poems that this was indeed the same man, (much earlier than the artist had supposed), and that from a clan perspective it was high time to bring him out of the shadows. Duncan Ban Macintyre, two hundred years after his death, enjoys and enduring reputation, though the Badenoch bard in his day appears to have been held in equal regard. Using his own words – the earliest surviving words of Clan Macintyre – to unlock some of the poet´s secrets, this is a glimpse into his life and times. (The current illustrated text, including an image of the original 16th century transcription of the bard´s key work, courtesy of the National Library of Scotland, supercedes the first text posted June 2014).
You can get to these at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...e_articles.htm
PS I am due to get another two articles in soon so will likely be featured in the next newsletter.
Scotland’s Gift
Philosophy, Theology, and the Gifford Lectures, a pdf about the lectures which you can download from:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/gillford.htm
Burns in Dumfriesshire
A Sketch of the last eight years of the poet's life by William McDowall (1870).
You can download this at http://www.electricscotland.com/burn...indumfries.pdf
A Geneealogy of Six Generations of Gemmills in America
With notes on their Scottish Ancestry by William Nelson Gemmill (1917) (pdf)
This book provides much more information on the name than I previously had on the site. You can download this at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...g/gemmells.pdf
The Tyrant of Boisdale
By Marjorie F. MacDonald (pdf). Added a link to this book as item 418 on our Articles page and appreciate it being sent into us for you to enjoy.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cles/index.htm
Deaton, Angus
Professor and Nobel Prize Winner added to our Famous Scots page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...aton_angus.htm
Historical Notices of St. Anthony's Monastery
By Rev. Charles Rogers LL.D (1877) (pdf). Added a link to this book at the foot of our St Anthony's page in the Story of Leith at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/leith/10.htm
John Taylor
A Scottish Merchant of Glasgow and New York 1752-1833 by Emily Johnston de Forest (1917) (pdf)
You can download this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...johntaylor.pdf
Leaves from my Autobiography
By Charles Rogers (1876) (pdf). Added a link to this book at the foot of his page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rs_charles.htm
Life Aboard A British Privateer in the Time of Queen Anne
Being the Journal of Captain Woodes Rogers, Master Mariner, with Notes and Illustrations by Robert C. Leslie (1889)
MOST people know their "Robinson Crusoe," and have heard of the author Defoe. But how many of us have heard even the name of Woodes Rogers, Master Mariner? or have read his quaint Journal of a cruising voyage round the world in the ships "Duke" and "Dutchess" of Bristol. Yet it was this Woodes Rogers who not only discovered the original Crusoe, Alexander Selkirk, but after making a "note of him when found" upon the island of Juan Fernandez/ at once proceeded to make very practical use of him by giving him command of the "Increase" one of many small prizes taken in the South Seas from the Spaniards by the "Duke" and "Dutchess." That Rogers was more than a master mariner, of much resource and pluck, is shown in his Journal, and the wonderful way in which he handled the very mixed group of men which formed the small floating commonwealth under him. It was more than thirty years later that Lord Anson sailed a similar voyage round the world with the advantage of the experience of Rogers and others, while Anson's squadron was fitted, manned, and armed by Government: yet, considering the loss of life and material which marked that cruise, it seems to me that, judged by results, Rogers' voyage was a far more wonderful performance, and that it attracted some attention at the time is shown by a notice of it in Captain Berkley's "Naval History," (published, 1756), where, under the heading of "Conduct of the Bristol Privateers" he says, "we have read in very pompous language the names of those who, with great ships and great preparations, encompassed the Globe. But at this time came in two privateers, of Bristol, who with no more than the common strength of such vessels, undertook the voyage, and at the end of two years and three months returned,' &c.
In his own Preface, Captain Rogers says, "I was not fond to appear in print; but my friends who had read my journal prevailed with me at last to publish it," adding, "I know 'tis generally expected, that when far distant voyages are printed, they should contain new and wonderful discoveries, with surprising accounts of people and animals; but this voyage being only designed for cruising on the enemy, it is not reasonable to expect such accounts here as are to be met with in travels relating to history, geography, &c., while, as for stile, I have not had time, were it my talent, to polish it; nor do I think it necessary for a mariner's journal. 'Tis also," he says, "a particular misfortune, which attends voyages to the South Sea, that the buccaneers, to set off their own knight-errantry, and to make themselves pass for prodigies of courage and conduct, have given such romantick accounts of their adventures, and told such strange stories, as make the voyages of those who come after (and cannot allow themselves the same liberty), to look flat and insipid to unthinking people. Therefore I request my readers, that they be favourable in their censures when they peruse this journal which is not calculated to amuse, but barely to relate the truth, and which is all written in the language of the sea, that being more genuine and natural for a mariner than the method used by authors that write ashoar." I have, therefore, in the following extracts, quoted Roger's Journal as closely as possible, adding only a short connecting note here and there, where required.
Robert C. Leslie.
You can get to this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...des_rogers.htm
THE STORY
Scotland's Status as a Nation
By David Thomson
Note: This statement was originally prepared for use within the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other international organisations when the question of Scotland’s exercise of the right to self-determination was raised there. Scotland’s status as a nation is one of the key aspects to be considered by the national and international authorities, who are generally not very well informed on the subject, when the question arises of diplomatic recognition of an autonomous Scottish state. It is therefore written with a foreign readership in mind, and it emphasises the points that will make the Scottish case in international diplomatic circles.
The expression "people", as tentatively defined by the United Nations Organisation, denotes a social entity possessing a clear identity and its own characteristics as well as a lengthy common experience, and it implies a relationship with a territory. These are the basic elements of a definition for the purpose of establishing whether such a social entity is a “people” fit to enjoy and exercise the right of self-determination. The expression "nation" implies a somewhat more highly developed stage of social cohesion and organisation.
The Scottish qualifications are absolutely unchallengeable on both counts. The basic ethnic component of the Scottish Nation is a fusion of three related Celtic peoples, with later minor infusions of Viking, Flemish and other Germanic blood, especially in the small south-eastern corner of the country. This composition has remained predominant right to the present day, because the demographic movement has overwhelmingly consisted of a movement of population from Scotland, the only major inward movement until very recent times having been extensive immigration by the closely related Celtic Irish. Other recent ethnic immigrants have not altered this composition to the same extent. Three languages are spoken in the country to this day.
No nation in the world is entirely “pure”, in the sense of consisting of only one ethnic group, with the possible exception of a native tribe in some remote part of the globe. The decisive factor is the predominant ethnic element in its composition, the assimilation of incomers to its culture, and the distinctiveness of its way of life. The Scottish people have been fused together over the centuries from distinct elements to become a unique whole unlike any other.
The Scottish Nation has occupied its national territory throughout its entire history, for there has never been any other occupant of the land since prehistoric times. Geographically, Scotland is almost an island. It has around 10,000 kilometres of coastline with 130 inhabited islands, and a mere 150 kilometres of land frontier - and that runs for most of its length over uninhabitable mountainous country. There are only two main land routes into and out of the country, on the east and west coasts, as if Scotland were joined to a neighbouring island by two causeways.
This geographical distinctiveness is underlined by the nature of Scotland’s topography, with settlements to a great extent concentrated in narrow river valleys, on islands, along the coastline and the shores of fjords, with vast areas of uninhabitable mountainous country in between. Scotland is in fact a detached part of Scandinavia – something that is borne out by its geological history, which is totally different from that of England to the south. England, where communications radiate out in all directions, is a detached part of continental Europe.
This distinctive geographical situation, and the climate of a land extending from 54° 38’ to 60° 51’ north of the equator, is what determines Scotland’s geo-economic and hence geo-political situation. There is no more clearly defined geographical, and hence economic, social and cultural entity than Scotland. Consequently, Scotland will remain a natural base unit of political organisation for all the foreseeable future.
The Scottish people are one of the most ancient nations in Europe, with one and a half thousand years of shared experience as a political unit, during which time they have lived continuously within the bounds of their present national territory. While recent archaeological research indicates a history going back for thousands of years, the written historical evidence shows that the Scottish kingdom was founded by Fergus Mor around the year 500 AD. According to the first record of the formal inauguration of a monarch, Aedan mac Gabhran was consecrated King of Scots by St. Columba in the year 574 AD. The Declaration of Arbroath of the year 1320 states that Scotland had till that date been governed by "an uninterrupted succession of 113 kings, all of our own native and royal stock, without the intervening of any stranger". Scotland was a united kingdom by the early 9th century, with the union of the Picts and Scots under King Kenneth I, some 200 years before neighbouring England.
The present border between Scotland and England was finally established during the Middle Ages, almost exactly on the line of the frontier between the Roman province of Britannia (now England) and the unconquered territory of Caledonia (now Scotland). This is the line at which opposing forces have balanced out down through the ages. The Scotland-England border was definitively fixed by the Treaty of York, concluded in 1237 between Alexander II, King of Scots, and Henry III, King of England. Scotland thereby gave up all claims to territory south of that border. Some minor adjustments were made by agreement in 1552, but otherwise the line agreed in 1273, running from the middle of the Solway Firth in the west to the mouth of the River Tweed in the east, has never been altered, and to this day it remains the border between the Scottish and English legal jurisdictions. The 1706 Treaty of Union between Scotland and England and the subsequent Scottish and English ratifying Acts of Union all lay down that the jurisdiction of the Scottish courts may not be altered, notwithstanding the Union.
The only border issue comparable with similar cases in Europe concerns the town of Berwick upon Tweed, the strategically situated Scottish border town that was occupied by English troops in 1482 in an act of military aggression with no constitutional force. The Scottish king, James IV, who was anxious to marry the new English king Henry VII’s daughter, bowed to superior force and, in the 1502 Treaty of Perpetual Peace with England, agreed that Berwick would continue to be administered by England, while specifically remaining a part of Scotland. This curious mediaeval anachronism has never been corrected, not even long after Berwick ceased to have any military importance, and it remains the situation to this day.
Berwick upon Tweed is still under English administration, but the purely administrative boundary at Lamberton, 4 kilometres to the north of the town, has no constitutional significance. The Scotland-England border at this point is still the mouth of the River Tweed, as it has remained legally for almost eight centuries, and is the starting point for Scotland’s marine border. At no time has Berwick ever been transferred to England.
The factor that makes Scotland's claim of right to self-determination different from almost all others is that its participation within the present United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is not based on conquest or other form of assimilation, but on a treaty under international law as well as two acts of parliament that ratified and implemented the treaty. These measures can, of course, legally be rescinded at any time, since the circumstances that led to their conclusion now no longer prevail, and the disadvantages arising out of the present political structure are becoming daily more obvious. The elected Scottish Parliament and Government are completely competent to negotiate such a withdrawal from the treaty.
Scotland has a quite unique history of its own. It possesses its own highly distinctive legal and educational systems. The roll call of Scots who have achieved worldwide fame in the fields of learning, and the lists of their discoveries and inventions, would fill volumes. The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian, in the Calvinist tradition, but the Catholic and other Christian denominations are equally distinctive in character, springing as they all do from the early Celtic Church.
Almost all of Scotland's other national institutions are equally distinctive. Scots law is based on totally different principles from those of the legal system of the rest of the United Kingdom, and is more akin to continental European systems in its reception of Roman law. Scotland had a system of compulsory school education from the late 15th century, when its earliest universities were founded. The Scottish Enlightenment had widespread international effects. Scottish constitutional ideas inspired both the American and French revolutions. The writings of the philosopher David Hume were the foundation for the Constitution of the United States and its numerous progeny around the world. Adam Smith founded the science of political economy, Adam Ferguson that of sociology. In the natural sciences James Clerk Maxwell is regarded as the equal of Albert Einstein. Scotland was a cradle of the industrial revolution, when the steam engine developed by James Watt revolutionised the world. The list of Scottish scientific achievements is endless: anaesthetic surgery, the bicycle, the telephone, television, radar, penicillin and countless others. The Scottish financial institutions are among the largest in the world.
Few people will fail to be aware of the highly distinctive Scottish national dress; even the Roman writers two thousand years ago described the checked tartan patterns of the clothing worn by their unconquerable adversaries, the Caledonians. Many countries share the bagpipe as a musical instrument, but nowhere was it brought to such a pitch of perfection as in Scotland, which is unique in possessing a large repertoire of classical music for it. The Scots share their heritage of Celtic graphic art with their Irish cousins, but in music, dance, literature, architecture and many another field the Scottish culture is absolutely unique in the world. On an international scale, Scotland is one of the few custodians of Europe's ancient Celtic heritage, the preservation of which is a matter that concerns all the peoples of the continent.
The ancient crown insignia of the Kingdom of Scots, the Honours of Scotland, which can be seen in Edinburgh Castle, testify to one of the oldest monarchies in the world. The State Crown is so ancient that its date of manufacture is unknown, although it was remodelled in 1540 for King James V. It was certainly in existence when the reigning Popes presented the State Sceptre and the Sword of State to James IV, King of Scots, in 1494 and 1505 respectively. The historic Parliament House in Edinburgh, completed in 1639, and now the seat of the Scottish supreme courts of law, indicates the country's lengthy tradition of democratic government in a national Assembly, for which the word "Parlament" was used by a chronicler as early as the year 1174 under William I, King of Scots – the first time in history it has been recorded as a designation for a legislative Assembly.
Scotland's claim of right to self-determination was first raised at international level almost seven centuries ago, when the Declaration of Arbroath was sent in 1320 to the Pope - the then international authority - by the Scottish leaders in the name of "the whole community of the realm of Scotland". It was not an appeal for independence, but an assertion by a people who had been independent since their origins in the mists of history that they were under no circumstances prepared to give up that status for subservience to an aggressor. This important constitutional document confirmed the sovereignty of the people over the institutions of state, and unequivocally asserted the independence of the Scottish Nation, as the following extract makes clear:
"But if this Prince (Robert I, King of Scots)...shall consent that we or our kingdom be subjected to the king or people of England, we will immediately exert ourselves to expel him, as our enemy and as the subverter both of his own rights and of ours, and we will make another king who will defend our liberties.
For so long as one hundred of us remain alive we will never consent to subject ourselves to the dominion of the English. We fight not for glory, or riches, or honours, but for freedom alone, which no good man will relinquish, except with his life."
No other nation in the world possesses a more inspiring declaration of independence. Moreover, its constitutional principles, which have been reinforced over the centuries by Scottish constitutional and legal writers, are fully in accord with modern concepts of democracy.
It cannot, therefore, be asserted that the Scots are not a distinctive people within the meaning of the United Nations definition. They have established their unassailable right to self-determination, and to such degree of self-government as they themselves freely decide to assume without external interference. We anticipate that Scotland's rights in this respect will be unequivocally confirmed and upheld by the international community in Europe and the world, in accordance with the United Nations Bill of Human Rights, the Helsinki Final Act and the other relevant instruments by which all participating states are bound.
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
British and German navies to mark Battle of Jutland
Former enemies’ navies will lay wreaths in North Sea to commemorate first world war’s biggest naval battle, in which nearly 9,000 sailors died.
Read more at http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...battle-jutland
Scottish universities need to play bigger part on world stage
Scotland’s universities are gaining an international reputation for government interference and suppression of critical thought.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/educati...#axzz3noLVwLLD
Scotland's environment in serious trouble
A total of 23 organisations compiled the Responses for Nature report and have now called on the Scottish government to take urgent action.
Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34511906
Scot wins Nobel economics prize
British academic Angus Deaton has been awarded the Nobel economics prize for 2015 for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare.
Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34505586
SNP facing first rebellion at Westminster
THE SNP is facing the first rebellion among its new MPs.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/snp-...#axzz3noLVwLLD
Scandal and incompetence stalk the SNP
Even as the faithful prepare to gather in Aberdeen, the party’s manifold flaws are beginning to show.
Read more at:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentis...ence-stalk-snp
Two new Lockerbie bombing suspects identified
They believe the two suspects were involved, along with Abdelbaset al-Megrahi - the only person to have been convicted of the 1988 atrocity.
Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34543983
Electric Canadian
OSMTH
Did a video about OSMTH, the Knights Templar International, and the Canadian Grand Priory. I was trying to inform folk about the order so hope it makes sense.
You can view this at: https://youtu.be/z7n7XgGHuuk
They have just had their International meeting in Germany and have released...
OSMTH RESOLUTION NR 12 OF 2015
[Cologne, Germany, October 1 to 3 in 2015]
RESOLUTION REGARDING EXTRAORDINARY ISSUES CHALLENGING BOTH OUR ORDER AND THE WORLD IN 2015
WHEREAS, in October of 2015 the Grand Magistral Council of OSMTH, meeting in Cologne in Germany, has been petitioned by numerous organizational and international bodies to review three issues which pose grave threats to the Christian Faith, to the stability of both the Middle East and, in the near term, possibly major parts of Europe; and which, regrettably, bring back past practices of people against peoples of the most evil type; and
WHEREAS, these practices are challenging the best planning of the European Union, the United Nations, many of the governments of the Middle East and the Faiths of the Sons of Abraham; and
WHEREAS, the first of these challenges involves the assault upon the cultural and religious heritage of many of the great religions of the world, and in particular of the Christian Faith; and
WHEREAS, a second threat to the very existence of Christianity has been defined by Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church, during a recent speech in August to a large assemblage in South America, when he said: "Today we are dismayed to see how, in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, many of our brothers and sisters are persecuted, tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus" He continued, "In this third world war, waged piece-meal, which we are now experiencing; a form of genocide is taking place"; and
WHEREAS, these horrible occurrences are now creating a third challenge, as whole populations of peoples from the Middle East, which include both Christians and Muslims, are forced to flee in huge numbers, to Europe including countries ranging from Russia to the United Kingdom; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1. All OSMTH representatives at the United Nations and other international forums be informed of this policy statement of the Grand Magistral Council; and
2. The Office holders of OSMTH are instructed to immediately begin working, in the interests of peace building, with Governments, Christian Churches, other faith organizations and NGOs for the implementation of such advocacy and humanitarian relief and for the development of a "Return Home" policy for Middle Eastern Christians.
Chevalier Dr Marcel de Picciotto, Grand Commander
Chevalier Dale Starkes, Secretary General
RESOLUTION REGARDING EXTRAORDINARY ISSUES CHALLENGING BOTH OUR ORDER AND THE WORLD IN 2015
WHEREAS, in October of 2015 the Grand Magistral Council of OSMTH, meeting in Cologne in Germany, has been petitioned by numerous organizational and international bodies to review three issues which pose grave threats to the Christian Faith, to the stability of both the Middle East and, in the near term, possibly major parts of Europe; and which, regrettably, bring back past practices of people against peoples of the most evil type; and
WHEREAS, these practices are challenging the best planning of the European Union, the United Nations, many of the governments of the Middle East and the Faiths of the Sons of Abraham; and
WHEREAS, the first of these challenges involves the assault upon the cultural and religious heritage of many of the great religions of the world, and in particular of the Christian Faith; and
- WHEREAS, what was believed in 2001 to be an isolated attack by the Taliban on the Buddhist sculptures of the Buddhas of Bamiyan has widened into a fierce assault against the heritage of many faiths; and
- WHEREAS, these attacks have continued unabated with ever growing intensity by Islamist extremists, examples of which are Christian cultural heritage sites in Kosovo and Methohja, followed by an "ISIS" DAESH campaign to exterminate the Christian presence in all parts of Iraq and Syria under their control, including churches in Mosul and the Christian church of the Virgin Mary in Syria; and
- WHEREAS, DAESH, in their uncivilized rage, further focused on Muslim historic and cultural sites, including the Muslim Sufi sites such as the destruction of the tombs of the Sufi Saints in the Aleppo countryside; and carried out the unspeakable and barbaric acts of pillaging for profit, or otherwise demolishing, one of the most historic collections of cultural and religious artifacts in Syria and the murder of the Syrian Antiquities Director Khaled al Asaad; and
- WHEREAS, DAESH has taken all opportunities to pillage synagogues and Jewish religious artifacts within their reach; and
- WHEREAS, many of these sites are on the list of World Heritage in Danger assembled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and
- WHEREAS, the Grand Priors of OSMTH strongly believe that such acts of destruction are abhorrent, unacceptable in a civilized world, and must be viewed as direct threats against all, or parts, of the Great Religions of the world; and that such activities must be made public and opposed and that delegations from this Order should raise awareness of this threat by visiting such sites, as and when appropriate and feasible; and
WHEREAS, a second threat to the very existence of Christianity has been defined by Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church, during a recent speech in August to a large assemblage in South America, when he said: "Today we are dismayed to see how, in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, many of our brothers and sisters are persecuted, tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus" He continued, "In this third world war, waged piece-meal, which we are now experiencing; a form of genocide is taking place"; and
- WHEREAS, this most barbaric act - genocide - has occurred throughout history, on every continent and against many peoples; and
- WHEREAS, amongst the Christians the martyred people of Armenia stand foremost in our minds and in our prayers; and
- WHEREAS, the Grand Magistral Council of OSMTH firmly believes that, if this "third world war" is beginning and Christian peoples with their belief are at risk of extermination, we must raise our voices in immediate opposition to this potential tragedy and again, through international forums and the faithful of all religions of the world, call on humanity to confront and stop such a horrible action; and
WHEREAS, these horrible occurrences are now creating a third challenge, as whole populations of peoples from the Middle East, which include both Christians and Muslims, are forced to flee in huge numbers, to Europe including countries ranging from Russia to the United Kingdom; and
- WHEREAS, this challenge to our common humanity, driven by barbaric and genocidal acts, must be vigorously met and turned back; and
- WHEREAS, the Grand Priors of OSMTH willingly accept the need to assist in undertaking advocacy and providing humanitarian relief to alleviate this struggle, following the guidance of the great religious leaders of the Eastern and Western Churches; and
- WHEREAS, the Protestant Regional Churches in Germany, our host country for this meeting, remind us of Psalm 36:7 which states: "How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings!"; and
- WHEREAS, to that end we join with the other Sons of Abraham and their leadership, such as the King of Jordan, in seeking to develop a structure that will allow all displaced Christians and others, who desire to return to their historic homes in the Middle East, a future opportunity to do so with dignity and happiness.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
1. All OSMTH representatives at the United Nations and other international forums be informed of this policy statement of the Grand Magistral Council; and
2. The Office holders of OSMTH are instructed to immediately begin working, in the interests of peace building, with Governments, Christian Churches, other faith organizations and NGOs for the implementation of such advocacy and humanitarian relief and for the development of a "Return Home" policy for Middle Eastern Christians.
Chevalier Dr Marcel de Picciotto, Grand Commander
Chevalier Dale Starkes, Secretary General
Manitoulin
Added an interesting 2 part video to our page on this largest fresh water island in the world. You can get to this at http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist.../chapter50.htm
The Moose
As Moose are very numerous in Canada so thought I'd add this video about them which you can watch at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/moose.htm
Arthur B. MacDonald
2015 Nobel Prize in Physics added to our Famous Scots page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ald_arthur.htm
Indian trapper
Found this old 1941 film about an Indian trapper of the Cree nation with a Scottish name. You can view this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...ree/videos.htm
Gleanings from the Western Prairies
By Rev. W. E. Youngman (1882)
A VOLUME of simple word painting, in effort to sketch that far Western Prairie life, to lay it unglossed before you. Accept it as such, and you won't be disappointed, I hope, as scenes are grouped before you which happened in days and nights already sunk into Eternity.
It may be strange to invite you to that far frontier, and show you the life and ways of men who have gone forth from our own old world, drawn to that new world by that solo boon of man — hope. Yet hope does much for poor humanity. I think it was Carlyle who wrote of hope thus: "O blessed hope, sole boon of man, whereby on his strait prison walls are painted beautiful far-stretching landscapes, and into the night of very death is shed holiest dawn. Thou art to all an indefeasible possession in this God's world—to the wise a Constantine-like banner written on the eternal skies, under which they shall conquer, for the battle itself is victory: to the foolish some secular mirage, or shadow of still waters painted on the parched Earth, whereby at least their dusty pilgrimage, if devious, becomes cheerfuller, becomes possible."
A friend told me before I know that Western life, "It's like a small drizzling rain wetting a man to the skin. Its ennui will soak into your soul." I don't agree with him now I know Western life, although at that time my friend's remark made me dread Western travel. If you, Reader, are as agreeably surprised as I was, we, as you close this volume, shall part good friends.
Should my poor thoughts awaken a nobler thrill of sympathy within you, and give you but a passing interest in that busy frontier, and that wild Indian world, so far distant yet close to our own, now that Steamers plough the strong waves of the Atlantic, and the Iron Road stretches onward to Indian Territory, my time will not have been vainly spent, the arrow will have flown to the target's heart. To my Ecclesiastical Friends I would suggest the importance of giving some kind of recommendation to families leaving their parishes to the Clergy of the Country and district whither they are going. Many who are good Christians in Europe recede totally from their faith abroad, and in the heterogeueous mass of society they find on the frontier of the New World lead faithless and loveless lives. And yet a kind word, or a friendly interest, might have made all so different.
You can download this book from http://www.electriccanadian.com/pion.../gleanings.pdf
Polish Canadians
Updated our Polish Canadian page with new text and a few videos and you can get to this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/history/poland.htm
Electric Scotland
MacIntyre
I got in a new article and an updated article from Alistair K. MacIntyre, "A History of the Clan Chattan Macintyres in Badenoch" is the new one and the updated one is "Bard Macintyre of Badenoch".
As to the new article he says...
A History of the Clan Chattan Macintyres in Badenoch is a much expanded, illustrated version of an article prepared for the Clan Chattan Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2008, The Macintyres of Badenoch, A Short History. Still far from complete, but a foundation, at least, for further research on this previously anonymous branch of Clan Macintyre and the Clan Chattan confederation.
As to the updated one he says...
The Bard Macintyre´, progenitor of the Ba denoch Macintyres, has been almost entirely forgotten, yet was once a poet of the very highest standing. One day, looking at the work of Scottish artist Will MacLean, I came across his enigmatic piece ´Bard Macintyre´s Box´. This led me to wonder whether he could be the 1496 bard who appears – in name only, and that incomplete - in every potted history of the clan. The mystery of the poem and its very obscurity, historically, appealed to MacLean, who suspected it to be from the 18th century. Thanks to the artwork and its supporting text, I learned that some of this poet´s work had survived intact – and later that they graced the pages of Scotland´s oldest collection of Gaelic verse! On obtaining full translations, it became clear from clues in the poems that this was indeed the same man, (much earlier than the artist had supposed), and that from a clan perspective it was high time to bring him out of the shadows. Duncan Ban Macintyre, two hundred years after his death, enjoys and enduring reputation, though the Badenoch bard in his day appears to have been held in equal regard. Using his own words – the earliest surviving words of Clan Macintyre – to unlock some of the poet´s secrets, this is a glimpse into his life and times. (The current illustrated text, including an image of the original 16th century transcription of the bard´s key work, courtesy of the National Library of Scotland, supercedes the first text posted June 2014).
You can get to these at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...e_articles.htm
PS I am due to get another two articles in soon so will likely be featured in the next newsletter.
Scotland’s Gift
Philosophy, Theology, and the Gifford Lectures, a pdf about the lectures which you can download from:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/gillford.htm
Burns in Dumfriesshire
A Sketch of the last eight years of the poet's life by William McDowall (1870).
You can download this at http://www.electricscotland.com/burn...indumfries.pdf
A Geneealogy of Six Generations of Gemmills in America
With notes on their Scottish Ancestry by William Nelson Gemmill (1917) (pdf)
This book provides much more information on the name than I previously had on the site. You can download this at http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...g/gemmells.pdf
The Tyrant of Boisdale
By Marjorie F. MacDonald (pdf). Added a link to this book as item 418 on our Articles page and appreciate it being sent into us for you to enjoy.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...cles/index.htm
Deaton, Angus
Professor and Nobel Prize Winner added to our Famous Scots page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...aton_angus.htm
Historical Notices of St. Anthony's Monastery
By Rev. Charles Rogers LL.D (1877) (pdf). Added a link to this book at the foot of our St Anthony's page in the Story of Leith at: http://www.electricscotland.com/history/leith/10.htm
John Taylor
A Scottish Merchant of Glasgow and New York 1752-1833 by Emily Johnston de Forest (1917) (pdf)
You can download this at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...johntaylor.pdf
Leaves from my Autobiography
By Charles Rogers (1876) (pdf). Added a link to this book at the foot of his page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...rs_charles.htm
Life Aboard A British Privateer in the Time of Queen Anne
Being the Journal of Captain Woodes Rogers, Master Mariner, with Notes and Illustrations by Robert C. Leslie (1889)
MOST people know their "Robinson Crusoe," and have heard of the author Defoe. But how many of us have heard even the name of Woodes Rogers, Master Mariner? or have read his quaint Journal of a cruising voyage round the world in the ships "Duke" and "Dutchess" of Bristol. Yet it was this Woodes Rogers who not only discovered the original Crusoe, Alexander Selkirk, but after making a "note of him when found" upon the island of Juan Fernandez/ at once proceeded to make very practical use of him by giving him command of the "Increase" one of many small prizes taken in the South Seas from the Spaniards by the "Duke" and "Dutchess." That Rogers was more than a master mariner, of much resource and pluck, is shown in his Journal, and the wonderful way in which he handled the very mixed group of men which formed the small floating commonwealth under him. It was more than thirty years later that Lord Anson sailed a similar voyage round the world with the advantage of the experience of Rogers and others, while Anson's squadron was fitted, manned, and armed by Government: yet, considering the loss of life and material which marked that cruise, it seems to me that, judged by results, Rogers' voyage was a far more wonderful performance, and that it attracted some attention at the time is shown by a notice of it in Captain Berkley's "Naval History," (published, 1756), where, under the heading of "Conduct of the Bristol Privateers" he says, "we have read in very pompous language the names of those who, with great ships and great preparations, encompassed the Globe. But at this time came in two privateers, of Bristol, who with no more than the common strength of such vessels, undertook the voyage, and at the end of two years and three months returned,' &c.
In his own Preface, Captain Rogers says, "I was not fond to appear in print; but my friends who had read my journal prevailed with me at last to publish it," adding, "I know 'tis generally expected, that when far distant voyages are printed, they should contain new and wonderful discoveries, with surprising accounts of people and animals; but this voyage being only designed for cruising on the enemy, it is not reasonable to expect such accounts here as are to be met with in travels relating to history, geography, &c., while, as for stile, I have not had time, were it my talent, to polish it; nor do I think it necessary for a mariner's journal. 'Tis also," he says, "a particular misfortune, which attends voyages to the South Sea, that the buccaneers, to set off their own knight-errantry, and to make themselves pass for prodigies of courage and conduct, have given such romantick accounts of their adventures, and told such strange stories, as make the voyages of those who come after (and cannot allow themselves the same liberty), to look flat and insipid to unthinking people. Therefore I request my readers, that they be favourable in their censures when they peruse this journal which is not calculated to amuse, but barely to relate the truth, and which is all written in the language of the sea, that being more genuine and natural for a mariner than the method used by authors that write ashoar." I have, therefore, in the following extracts, quoted Roger's Journal as closely as possible, adding only a short connecting note here and there, where required.
Robert C. Leslie.
You can get to this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...des_rogers.htm
THE STORY
Scotland's Status as a Nation
By David Thomson
Note: This statement was originally prepared for use within the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other international organisations when the question of Scotland’s exercise of the right to self-determination was raised there. Scotland’s status as a nation is one of the key aspects to be considered by the national and international authorities, who are generally not very well informed on the subject, when the question arises of diplomatic recognition of an autonomous Scottish state. It is therefore written with a foreign readership in mind, and it emphasises the points that will make the Scottish case in international diplomatic circles.
The expression "people", as tentatively defined by the United Nations Organisation, denotes a social entity possessing a clear identity and its own characteristics as well as a lengthy common experience, and it implies a relationship with a territory. These are the basic elements of a definition for the purpose of establishing whether such a social entity is a “people” fit to enjoy and exercise the right of self-determination. The expression "nation" implies a somewhat more highly developed stage of social cohesion and organisation.
The Scottish qualifications are absolutely unchallengeable on both counts. The basic ethnic component of the Scottish Nation is a fusion of three related Celtic peoples, with later minor infusions of Viking, Flemish and other Germanic blood, especially in the small south-eastern corner of the country. This composition has remained predominant right to the present day, because the demographic movement has overwhelmingly consisted of a movement of population from Scotland, the only major inward movement until very recent times having been extensive immigration by the closely related Celtic Irish. Other recent ethnic immigrants have not altered this composition to the same extent. Three languages are spoken in the country to this day.
No nation in the world is entirely “pure”, in the sense of consisting of only one ethnic group, with the possible exception of a native tribe in some remote part of the globe. The decisive factor is the predominant ethnic element in its composition, the assimilation of incomers to its culture, and the distinctiveness of its way of life. The Scottish people have been fused together over the centuries from distinct elements to become a unique whole unlike any other.
The Scottish Nation has occupied its national territory throughout its entire history, for there has never been any other occupant of the land since prehistoric times. Geographically, Scotland is almost an island. It has around 10,000 kilometres of coastline with 130 inhabited islands, and a mere 150 kilometres of land frontier - and that runs for most of its length over uninhabitable mountainous country. There are only two main land routes into and out of the country, on the east and west coasts, as if Scotland were joined to a neighbouring island by two causeways.
This geographical distinctiveness is underlined by the nature of Scotland’s topography, with settlements to a great extent concentrated in narrow river valleys, on islands, along the coastline and the shores of fjords, with vast areas of uninhabitable mountainous country in between. Scotland is in fact a detached part of Scandinavia – something that is borne out by its geological history, which is totally different from that of England to the south. England, where communications radiate out in all directions, is a detached part of continental Europe.
This distinctive geographical situation, and the climate of a land extending from 54° 38’ to 60° 51’ north of the equator, is what determines Scotland’s geo-economic and hence geo-political situation. There is no more clearly defined geographical, and hence economic, social and cultural entity than Scotland. Consequently, Scotland will remain a natural base unit of political organisation for all the foreseeable future.
The Scottish people are one of the most ancient nations in Europe, with one and a half thousand years of shared experience as a political unit, during which time they have lived continuously within the bounds of their present national territory. While recent archaeological research indicates a history going back for thousands of years, the written historical evidence shows that the Scottish kingdom was founded by Fergus Mor around the year 500 AD. According to the first record of the formal inauguration of a monarch, Aedan mac Gabhran was consecrated King of Scots by St. Columba in the year 574 AD. The Declaration of Arbroath of the year 1320 states that Scotland had till that date been governed by "an uninterrupted succession of 113 kings, all of our own native and royal stock, without the intervening of any stranger". Scotland was a united kingdom by the early 9th century, with the union of the Picts and Scots under King Kenneth I, some 200 years before neighbouring England.
The present border between Scotland and England was finally established during the Middle Ages, almost exactly on the line of the frontier between the Roman province of Britannia (now England) and the unconquered territory of Caledonia (now Scotland). This is the line at which opposing forces have balanced out down through the ages. The Scotland-England border was definitively fixed by the Treaty of York, concluded in 1237 between Alexander II, King of Scots, and Henry III, King of England. Scotland thereby gave up all claims to territory south of that border. Some minor adjustments were made by agreement in 1552, but otherwise the line agreed in 1273, running from the middle of the Solway Firth in the west to the mouth of the River Tweed in the east, has never been altered, and to this day it remains the border between the Scottish and English legal jurisdictions. The 1706 Treaty of Union between Scotland and England and the subsequent Scottish and English ratifying Acts of Union all lay down that the jurisdiction of the Scottish courts may not be altered, notwithstanding the Union.
The only border issue comparable with similar cases in Europe concerns the town of Berwick upon Tweed, the strategically situated Scottish border town that was occupied by English troops in 1482 in an act of military aggression with no constitutional force. The Scottish king, James IV, who was anxious to marry the new English king Henry VII’s daughter, bowed to superior force and, in the 1502 Treaty of Perpetual Peace with England, agreed that Berwick would continue to be administered by England, while specifically remaining a part of Scotland. This curious mediaeval anachronism has never been corrected, not even long after Berwick ceased to have any military importance, and it remains the situation to this day.
Berwick upon Tweed is still under English administration, but the purely administrative boundary at Lamberton, 4 kilometres to the north of the town, has no constitutional significance. The Scotland-England border at this point is still the mouth of the River Tweed, as it has remained legally for almost eight centuries, and is the starting point for Scotland’s marine border. At no time has Berwick ever been transferred to England.
The factor that makes Scotland's claim of right to self-determination different from almost all others is that its participation within the present United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is not based on conquest or other form of assimilation, but on a treaty under international law as well as two acts of parliament that ratified and implemented the treaty. These measures can, of course, legally be rescinded at any time, since the circumstances that led to their conclusion now no longer prevail, and the disadvantages arising out of the present political structure are becoming daily more obvious. The elected Scottish Parliament and Government are completely competent to negotiate such a withdrawal from the treaty.
Scotland has a quite unique history of its own. It possesses its own highly distinctive legal and educational systems. The roll call of Scots who have achieved worldwide fame in the fields of learning, and the lists of their discoveries and inventions, would fill volumes. The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian, in the Calvinist tradition, but the Catholic and other Christian denominations are equally distinctive in character, springing as they all do from the early Celtic Church.
Almost all of Scotland's other national institutions are equally distinctive. Scots law is based on totally different principles from those of the legal system of the rest of the United Kingdom, and is more akin to continental European systems in its reception of Roman law. Scotland had a system of compulsory school education from the late 15th century, when its earliest universities were founded. The Scottish Enlightenment had widespread international effects. Scottish constitutional ideas inspired both the American and French revolutions. The writings of the philosopher David Hume were the foundation for the Constitution of the United States and its numerous progeny around the world. Adam Smith founded the science of political economy, Adam Ferguson that of sociology. In the natural sciences James Clerk Maxwell is regarded as the equal of Albert Einstein. Scotland was a cradle of the industrial revolution, when the steam engine developed by James Watt revolutionised the world. The list of Scottish scientific achievements is endless: anaesthetic surgery, the bicycle, the telephone, television, radar, penicillin and countless others. The Scottish financial institutions are among the largest in the world.
Few people will fail to be aware of the highly distinctive Scottish national dress; even the Roman writers two thousand years ago described the checked tartan patterns of the clothing worn by their unconquerable adversaries, the Caledonians. Many countries share the bagpipe as a musical instrument, but nowhere was it brought to such a pitch of perfection as in Scotland, which is unique in possessing a large repertoire of classical music for it. The Scots share their heritage of Celtic graphic art with their Irish cousins, but in music, dance, literature, architecture and many another field the Scottish culture is absolutely unique in the world. On an international scale, Scotland is one of the few custodians of Europe's ancient Celtic heritage, the preservation of which is a matter that concerns all the peoples of the continent.
The ancient crown insignia of the Kingdom of Scots, the Honours of Scotland, which can be seen in Edinburgh Castle, testify to one of the oldest monarchies in the world. The State Crown is so ancient that its date of manufacture is unknown, although it was remodelled in 1540 for King James V. It was certainly in existence when the reigning Popes presented the State Sceptre and the Sword of State to James IV, King of Scots, in 1494 and 1505 respectively. The historic Parliament House in Edinburgh, completed in 1639, and now the seat of the Scottish supreme courts of law, indicates the country's lengthy tradition of democratic government in a national Assembly, for which the word "Parlament" was used by a chronicler as early as the year 1174 under William I, King of Scots – the first time in history it has been recorded as a designation for a legislative Assembly.
Scotland's claim of right to self-determination was first raised at international level almost seven centuries ago, when the Declaration of Arbroath was sent in 1320 to the Pope - the then international authority - by the Scottish leaders in the name of "the whole community of the realm of Scotland". It was not an appeal for independence, but an assertion by a people who had been independent since their origins in the mists of history that they were under no circumstances prepared to give up that status for subservience to an aggressor. This important constitutional document confirmed the sovereignty of the people over the institutions of state, and unequivocally asserted the independence of the Scottish Nation, as the following extract makes clear:
"But if this Prince (Robert I, King of Scots)...shall consent that we or our kingdom be subjected to the king or people of England, we will immediately exert ourselves to expel him, as our enemy and as the subverter both of his own rights and of ours, and we will make another king who will defend our liberties.
For so long as one hundred of us remain alive we will never consent to subject ourselves to the dominion of the English. We fight not for glory, or riches, or honours, but for freedom alone, which no good man will relinquish, except with his life."
No other nation in the world possesses a more inspiring declaration of independence. Moreover, its constitutional principles, which have been reinforced over the centuries by Scottish constitutional and legal writers, are fully in accord with modern concepts of democracy.
It cannot, therefore, be asserted that the Scots are not a distinctive people within the meaning of the United Nations definition. They have established their unassailable right to self-determination, and to such degree of self-government as they themselves freely decide to assume without external interference. We anticipate that Scotland's rights in this respect will be unequivocally confirmed and upheld by the international community in Europe and the world, in accordance with the United Nations Bill of Human Rights, the Helsinki Final Act and the other relevant instruments by which all participating states are bound.
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
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