Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-11-19
Extracts from woolsey's Political Science.

Vol H., page 14i.-A country where all,
or nearly all, are landholders, where intelli-
gence is diffused, and action under excite
ment over a large territory is very difficult
above all, where the religious and social
condition is goodwill, for long time,
thrive under the stimulative air of democ-
racy. Those who wish to rise in the world
will feel that it affords all the helps which
they need. Personal rights, free choice of
employments, all the advantages that gov
eminent can secure, are secured to them.
Under favorable circumstances a democratic
republic may be one of the quietest and
steadiest of governments. But it is that
one which feels most the changes of society,
particularly the changes in wealth and moral
principle. 1t is thai one which, when the
self-governing power is lost, crumbles to
pieces, or is subject to a power above its
own, most easily. As long as equality of
condition and simplicity of life remain, it
secures contentment, manliness, self-re-
straint and obedience to law, such as are
nowhere else to be found. But the changes
in society, changes which men can neither
prevent nor foresee, are stronger than con-
situations. The principle of representation,
indeed, it would appear, is the most valuable
improvement in politics that has been made
by the modern world, and reconciles order
with freedom more effectually than bayonets
or spies. But neither representation nor
any other conservative force lying in insti-
buttons can save government by the peo-
pie and for the people from the decay and
disintegration which attends on a society
without moral principle and without hope.
Vol. H., page 30i.-As almost all the dis
turbing elements arise in city life, as the
great interests of commerce, manufactures,
banking and other capital there situated are
sure to be protected for general reasons, l
would give the rural districts something
more than their share of legislative power.
The cities are to be dreaded in modern
times. They take the lead in all commo-
tions, they have less wisdom and less stabil-
ity, but more energy and political fanaticism
ludu ouc Iuiuiy ocIticu COuubiy, Wuerc iucu,
living apart, act less on each other and think
for themselves. 1t can be shown, believe,
that in great crises of national commotion,
when the great interests of country have
been at stake, the country people when once
aroused are the surest, strongest defenders
of the land. Such was the case in the war
of the revolution and in the great struggle of
the present time against secession in this
country.
Vol. H., page 39l.-Mr. j. s. Mill thinks
that the plan of representative sub-parlia-
ments for local affairs must henceforth be
considered as one of the fundamental iustitu-
tions of free government" If the
land is held by few hands, and all agricult-
wrists are tenants or farm laborers, they
will not, we may assume, be members of
such ub-parliaments. The hope of country
depends mainly on small landowners A
country without these is in danger of run
ming into practical despotism. When the
mass of the people, by reason of their poverty
or exclusion from places of influence, is only
passive, there is little self-government or
political education.