Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-02-15
THE UyTyBRgAL REPUBLTC.

There are great many Americans
who believe that this is the only coun-
try in the world fit to be q Republic.
It is but fair to say that not q few OF
these same Americans are of the opin-
ion that the Republic has been q fall
ure here also, and expect that in
course Of time it will be superseded
by something OF a different kind.
But, at all events, they hold that the
French in particular are unit for q
Republic, and the SpaniArds and Ital-
ians are totally unfit for Republic,
and Germany and Austria are intrin-
sically unfit to be Republics IL ls
possible these persons may forget that
there were several excellent and long
lived Republics in the world many
years before COLUMBUS discovered the
continent on which the American
Republic exists. There were Greek
Republics, free and heroic, which en-
dured for centuries. There was the
Roman Republic, broad based and
powerful, which lasted from the down.
fall Of the kings to the time Of the
CEsARs. There were the prosperous
Italian Republics Of the middle ages,
Florence, Tenice, and others. The
so-ealled Dutch Republic and the
English Republic" Of Cromwell, are
also facts and part Of history. The
Republic Of Switzerland has weather
ed the storms OF time, and exists to-
day in freedom and independence.
There were, and there are at this day,
several free Continental Governments
which differ out little from Republics.
1t IS true that the Republics Of an
cient times and the Republics Of med
i@val times broke down at last; but
so did the kingdoms, Empires and
despOtisms Of ancient and medieval
times; and therefore the fact does not
argue against the ''fitnes-n Of nations
to be Republics, any more than facts
argue against their fitness" for mon
archy, or imperialism, or despotism
or Caesarism.
Not a few of the most intelligent,
prosperous. cultivated and elevated
nations Of history have been Rspub-
lies. It Is not at all impossible that
some Of the great and enlightened
European nations Of modern times
may also become peaceful and long
enduring Republics. If circumstances
should permit their establishments
under proper conditions.
In the letter which Vice President
Colfax sent to the late Italian Uni
tyr meeting in New York, there is
the following striking sentence:
81 am one OF those who believe
that RepBlblics, with wise men at
their heads, are possible on al con-
tileTts, and IN al parallels Of tatS-
t,ide.u II
This is an opinion which differs
very widely from the opinions held
by q great many Americans and re-
publicans but It is a truly American
and republican opiqion, nevertheless.
In reference to the establishment Of
q Republic in France, an able writer
lately said:
"The truth is that the French, as
nation, are exceedingly immature
having some abstract notions Of lfbeF-
ty rather than the moral qualities
without which liberty can not thrive !;
unable to submit long to tyranny, but
bound to administrative institutions
and traditions, which are the ever
ready auxilliaries of tyranny :. diff
cult to manage by force, but easy to
lead by the secret appliances Of state
craft. And this is the reason why all
Well-wishers ought to eEeoufage the
new trial France is going to make out
of republican institutions. A Repub-
lie Is the form OF government which,
excluding the private ambition and
dynasticaI selfshness Of rulers, would
most surely leave the French 10 the
free development Of their genius.
They have always hitherto been gov
efned; It is time that they should
learn to govern themselves, to think
FOR themselves, to inaugurate among
them the reign Of public opinion.
When this happens, no nation, l am
Convinced, will be found more paeii-
cally disposed, because none is more
accessible 70 general and generous
ideas, to considerations Of Justice and
humanity. ."-CFn. Com.