, 1863-07-31
GRECIAN AND AMERICAN pEMO.
CRACX.
Lecture by DR.. o. II. Tiffany.

hcf. LIT. ". IL. 11uaQ{ Qt11Ftfcu 4ECiuft IL
the West Indiana street Methodist Episcopal
Church, on Wednesday evening Inst, on the
Democracy of Greece Is compared with that
Of America There was to1erably good au-
dience, and 1ould doubtless have been a
much better one Il the rain had not set In
about half m hou- before the lecture
commenced, continuing more Or less during
the evening.
The lecturer commenced By observing that
it was difficult thing to form an idoa Of any
government; and this difficulty was immense.
II increased when the government sought to
be elucidated was separated from modern
times BY the nists Of antiquity and lay atar
Off On the dim platforms Of aremote history.
This was especially the case with ancient
Greece, whose whole records were exceeding
IL complicated, and hard to unravel The
democratic element, however, in Grecian So
ciety vas plain aud 1umistakab1e, and popu-
lar government arrived at full perfection in
those old md venerable ages. He did
not pretend in the course Of the
present lecture to unfold the entire
history Of the Grecfan Democracy, for
Ais Tas task which wonld occupy volume
but he Won1d endeavor to present some Of
it's more prominent features. Colonies were
founded by the mother country, which at first
were frequently governed by ar3stocrats, with
limited powers, chosen by the people, OF ap-
pointed by the ruling authorities. These col
onies became, Of necessity, more and more
and intelligence. They were not large gov.
ernmcnts, such Us at this day extend their
sovereignty over dom{nions upon which the
Sun never eets, but small States with very
definite and limited boundaries. The Hellenic
governments we're not those Of a country, but
of town; md those which began as monar.
chies, under the rule ofa chosen, or delegated
leader. ended, With the single exception Of
Epirus, as republics.
But in all these cases, the transition was
efIected-as all such must be, to be permanent
by gradual processes. Monarchy was not
abolished, as In some mad French revolution,
but It declined; and the power Of the people
only became manifest as they developed
themselves in intelligence, and in their lave
Of freedom, and reverence for the laws.
The name Of King, was changed to
that Of ruler, as first sign Of
the growing power Of the people. Then they
began to take more sand more prominent
part - public pnna ssfhsS as and ns they nRn
public. AL Eas gradual. The original foun-
dation Of Grecian aristocracy was gentle
birth, and high manners, and good estate.
This naturally gave them power and fmpor-
lance, and increased their dignity as rulers;
and, 60 long aB they conducted the govern
ment with mildness and efficiency, and the
people were content to see the ruling power
in tie hands Of one individual, they managed
to get along In peace and prosperity. But 1t
was in the constitution Of the Grecian mind
to rule themselves, and they were sure to out
grow every monarchial institution. Even
oGgarcliee were dlstastefnl to them, and fell
as those Of Marsailles fell before the growth
Of popular power.
The lecturer .gaye a rapid account
Of the rise of the Tyrants Of Greece,
through military, or political usurpation over
the popular forms Of government. The word
meant Indeed tyrants were characterized By
an extreme moderation Of deportment-and
their ascendency Wills beneficial to the people,
They constructed public works and buildings,
and 50 identified themselves with the people
that they we're blessing instead Of q curse
Tylants were representative, in every sense,
OF the popular Will and opinion. It was re-
markabic, however, that no tyranny lasted
longer in Greece than one hundred years, aud
then only because It vas mild, and beneflceut
IN fts government Many sons Of tyrants
them and the people, which was near.
ly sure to end III the triumph of the
Democracy. Philip Of Macedon became mas
ter Of Greece because Of the differences and
conflicts Of the oligarchies and fhe aristocra. c
cles with the people. The fa]i of Cnr;nth
crumblcd to pieces tie Inst yesfIre If Grecian
liberty, and prepared The way for Roman ,1. rnT-
eminent. Freedom became license Will the
old Democracy Of GREECE, just asit no4 is with
however. that becanse Grerian nemnrrncrfS1'
American Democracv mnst a1so Iii r.. r..
Faronean desnots ara 1oolinp for snc1, a con.
summaiion. mud Euronean writers have hee1,