The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-03
Switzerland's Six Hundred.

The preparations made to celebrate in
New York the six hundredth anniversary of
Swiss independence insure a fitting re-
Spouse from Helvetia's children In this
country to the rejoicings which have already
begun in their native land.
1t is suggestive and typical fact in the
history OF the little republic, illustrating tho
sturdy character OF her democracy, that
only few weeks ago. almost on the eve Of
her great national celebration. plebiscite
favored a new law introducing popular ini-
tiative in legislation. Under this law a
body Of $1,000 citizens may submit to the
Federal Assembly the text Of such bill as
it desires. and that body must thereupon
take 1t up for action. The two chambers of
which this Assembly is composed comprise
ono body Of A members and the other .
body OF l45. The population Of Switzerland
is now about three millions. Thus tho
larger body. or National Council, yields q
representative for each 10000 persons or
thereabout. This unit OF population neces-
sary for delegate is one-third smaller than
ours was at the foundation Of our Govern.
ment, and 1t Is only about one-eighth of the
prescribed number In Congress district OF
the United States to-day. 1t Is very much
smaller unit, too than ts customary In the
popular branches OF the parliaments or leg
islatures Of other countries Of Europe. Yet
80 strong is the democratic tendency in
Switzerland. that with this degree of popu-
lar representation in the law-making body
she also will permit the direct origination
Of bills among the people.
Certainly. as the Switzerland Of to-day
looks back 600 years to that primitive COM
pact Of confederation for self-defence and
the preservation OF law. order. and freedom
which was formed between the three forest
communities Of Uri. Schwyz, and INTER
walden. she can feol that the spirit OF indie
pendence and fidelity then manifested has
remained constant, and still anlnlates tho
twenty-five cantons that make up tho pres
ent republic. The changcs during this long
period have been in the direction OF devel-
oping the democratic principle side by side
with the principle OF federation.
Whilc the development OF the Swiss sys-
tenn Of federation from the. compacts,
solemn pledges, and mutual covenants be-
tween cantons which formed tho rude but
not ineffective appliances OF six centuries
ago. to the common fundamental constitu.
" !
becomes doubly so by observing how the
principle OF popular control has been made
to keep pace with it. Especially since the
attempt at secession In ls47 taught the
Swiss the need OF q more perfect union"
the principle OF democracy has been sedu-
lousy cultivated as safeguard against
undue Capitalization. 1t Is seen In the
institution Of the referendum, or the sub
mission OF acts OF the Legislature to popu-
lar vote under certain circumstances. The
referendum, either In its optional form or
In Its obligatory form. as called for by q
certain number Of the people, Is also found
In the individual cantons. And now We
have tho popular initiative OF legislation
already spoken OF.
Democracy keeps up Its sturdy growth in
the ancient and honored republic which con-
tinues to take Its own path in the field OF
tree government. mindful only OF its own
needs and possibilities. without following
the lead Of lis younger and more imposing
sisters, the United States and France. and
In many OF her institutions. perhaps notably
her schools. her postal system. and her Or
gunizatlon for self-defence. she may well
attract the admiration OF her powerful
neighbors. The sentiment appropriate at
this time is one -; wondering congratula-
tion that during six centuries this little
group al cantons has maintained its indie
pendsnce. surrounded o. 1t has been by
mighty and grasping nations, and that with
communities OF different origin and lau-