The Indianapolis daily herald. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1865-1868, 1865-11-17

10 Biblical chronology, when SOLOMON
wrote that there was nothing new under the
xun.v That l., there was nothing In mans
physical, intellectual, moral social develop
ment which was not simply temperance Of
what. at some former period i'm human pro-
grcss, had been visible I'm human affairs. Its
said that fashions in dress complete the circuit
Of variations In each successive period Of seven
years. The world Is now about six thousand
years old. according 10 the same chronology
mentioned above; about three thousand years
ofhuman experience and human progress have
transpired since SOLOMON uttered the sacred
truth above quoted, and il may still be adopted
as quite nearly expressive Of the existing con-
diti0n Of things" there is nothing new under
SUM-" But how i il, we may ask, a. TO hui
man forms 81 Government? T. there an ex-
eeptiOn herey
We may say that five forms Of government
have been known 10 the world of sufficiently
marked characteristics to be distinguished
from each other, viz
l. A Theocracy,
?. A Democracy.
3. An AristOcracy or Oligarchy For the
purposes Of this article, these two may be
elassed together.
4. A Monarchy
.. \ Constitutional Republic.
Theocracy was an experiment Of the Jews;
Democracy. Aristocracy and Monarchy have
been the prevalent forms Of government, and
their peculiarities were as well understood two
thousand ive hundred years ago a. they are
now.
A curious piece Of history is found in Hero
dotus, illustrating the truth oG this PROPOSE
ton.
On the death Of CAAfBYsEs. King Of Persia.
about two thousand five hundred years ago,
consultation was held by some of the leading
men Of the Kingdom 10 the propriety Of
changing the form Of its government OTNEs
recommended n republican form of govern
ment.
1T does not says he. "scem to me advisa-
BILE. that the Cos ernment Of Persia should
hereafter be entrusted 10 any individual per-
son. this being neither popular nor wise. We
all know the extreme length TO which the ar
roganee Of Cambyses proceeded, and some Of
u have felt it, influence. How can that form
of government possibly be good, I'm which an
individual with impunity may indulge his
passions. and which il apt To transport even
the best Of men beyond the bounds OF reason?
When man, naturally enyious, attains great
ness. he instantly becomes ins0ent. lnsolence
and jealousy are the distinguishing vices of
tyrants, and when combined lead 10 the
most enormous crimes. lie who Is placed nj
the summit of power, ought indeed To be "A
stranger To envy; but we know. by fatal expe-
rience that the contrary happens. We know.
also, that the wOrthiest citizens excite the.
jealousy Of tyrants. who are pleased only with
the most abandoned; they are ever prompt TO
listen 10 the voice Of calumny. II we pay
them temperate respect, they take umbrage
that we are not more profuse in our attentions;
If the respect with which they are treated seem
imm0derate, they call IL adulatiOn. The 81
yere>t misfortune OF all l.. they perVert the
the institutions OF their country, offer violence
10 our females, and put those whom they dis
like TO death, without the formalities of jus
fice- Bun democracy. in the first place, bears
the honorable name Of an equality; the disOr-
ders which prevail in a monarchy cannot
there take place. The magistrate l. appointed
by lot; he j. accountable for his administration,
and whatever Is done must be with the general
consent l am, therefore. Of opinion that mon
archy should be abolished, and that. every
thing depends on the people, popular Gov
erument should Ice established" such were
the sentiments Of Otanes.
Megabyzus. however, was inclined 10 an OH
garehy; in favor Of which he thus expressed
himself: 'All that Otanes has urged concern
ing the eXtirpatiOn Of tyranny. meets with my
entire appreciation; but when he recommends
the supreme authority 10 be intrusteG 20 the
people, he seems TO me 10 err in the extreme.
Tumultuous assemblages of the people
are never distinguished by wisdom; al
WAYS by insolenee; neither can anything be
possibly more preposterous than 10 fiy from
the tyranny Of an individual 10 the intemper-
ate caprice Of the vulgar. Whatever ty-
rant undertakes has the merit of previous con-
cert and design: hut the people are always rash
and ignorant. And how can they De other
wise who are uninstructed, and with no
internal sense Of what Is good and righty
Destitute Of Judgment, their actions resemble
the violence of torrent. Tome, democracy
seems % involve the ruin Of cur country; let
u. therefore intrust the Government Co few
individuals, selected for their talents and their
virtues. Let us constitute part Of these our
selves. and from the exercise 81 authority -
deposited, we may be Justified IN expecting
the happiest events
Darius was the third who delivered hiS
opinion. The sentiments Of Megaby zus.'
lie observed, las they relate 20 popular gov
eminent are unquestOnably wise and lust:
but from his opinion Of an oligarchy. totally
dissent. Supposing the three different forms
of government. monarchy, democracy and an
oligarchy. severally 20 prevail in the greatest
perfection | am Of the opinion that monarchy
Ia greatly The advantage. Indeed nothing
can Dc better than the government Of a man
eminent for hi virtue He VIII not only
have regard O. the welfare Of his subjects but
hi> resolutions will be cautiously concealed
from the public enemies Of the state. In an
oliSarchy the MAJORITY who have the care Of
The state, though employed in the exercise Of
virtue Tor the public good viii DC the subjects
Il mutual envy and dislike. Every individual
VIII D. anxious % extend his own ptr~onal
importance, from which will proceed faction.
coming by these means 10 the hand 81 a siu,yI,
person. constitutes the strongest argument ~
prove what form u government i bel W-ben
ever the people possess the supreme authority.
disorders In the state are unaNoilaile. .r,rh
disorders introduced in \ republic do MOI s,rls
arate the bad and the pr0ngaie from esri'
other: they unite them in the closest bond. 81
connection. They who mutually iniure IN,
state mutually support each ether 1hi> evil
exists tn some individual. assuming authority
~uppre-Se- the seditlon- lie. q course. obtains
popular admiration, which ends In his ltcom
Ing the sovereign; and this, again. tends 10
prove that monarchy l. q all government.
the most excellent 10 comprehend al that
can be aid al once. % what We are indebted
for cur liberty. did derive II from The peo-
pie, oligarchy or an indiHitualf For ny
oNn part. a. We were certainly indebted 10 one
man far freedom. I think that 10 one alone
The government should be- intrasted- Neither
can Ne without danger change the customs u
cur country"
such were the three different opinions deliV-
cred, the latter q which Wa approved by four
cut 81 the seven.
When Otane- saw his desirc - establish
equality Ia Persia rejected, ne spoke thus " ~
Il .eem. determined that Persia shall be govern
81 BY one person. ~ neither chosen among our
By some other method. you shall have no opposi-
lion Rom me; am ecu ally Aserse 20 govern or
obey l. therefore yield. condition that no
one oi you shall ever reign over me, Or any of