The Republican journal., 1899-08-03
CIVILIZATION.
No. g..

tian society of Feuda times was merely
the association of such as chose to asso-
ciate themselv es together. They enjoyed
freedom so far as they were able to defend
their rights. The church gradually sub
mitted to the clergy. bishops and councils,
thus establishing an arstOcratic form of
government. In civil society. the people
clustered around some powerful noble for
protection of common interests. The
Court OF Rome triumphed over the church
and the corresponding step in civil govern
ment was the triumph of monarchy, but all
the steps in the development of church
government were in advance of the cor
responding movements in civil society. In
the 10th century, an instruction broke out
against spiritual monarchy or absolute
power in the church. at least century in
advance of the corresponding step in the
attainment of civil and political liberty.
In the 10th and 18th centuries religion and
intellectual liberty were achieved. In later
years absolute temporal power has been
abolished and the rights of civilization
have been established. From the 18th to
the 10th century the various elements of
society were fused into two elements,
nation and people. During the 10th cen
fury we see power being centralized in
~i'il ooSlely anu tHe ihleileCt pelnS lloel-
ated III the religious world, Religious
progress being IN advance OF civil OF pollu-
calprogress caused intellectual and relig-
ious liberty to prevail at the same tire as
absolute monarchy.
From the opposite nature Of these
forces a clash was inevitable. The Eng
lish revolution was the first movement of
this great struggle, not because the Tu-
doris We're more GeSpOtic than of her rulers
oUt because royalty was here more syste-
maue ami more mature than elsewhere
AenFy VII took the lead IN the Retorma-
tioh ana reform was made IN the interests
OF royalty Ihe lncompleteness OF the
reformation aud the distribution OF
property haSLened the con1llct.
AT the close OF the l6Lh century, the
51Guse OF Commons possessed more prop
Sa'y nan the mouse OF Lords ne love
o. Polltical liberty was supported by an
citnl lASliluuohs I'D England more than
on me continent
ne great Darons made King John sign
'.u9 Magma Ch2fta ID l2i3. This charter
Vas confirmed 10y Kings mole than 50
times between the 18th and 10Th centuries.
~naeI the Plantagonets, the House Of
commons TOOK little interest in govern
ment but was boid in the defence of indi
yldual nights. Under the Tudors. Par
-i'itIeH3 .o9A 1VSS interest III lholNluudd
~-sits ou' oec% Al more tise instrument OF
@tlV<4 lIiletl lI''uS4 olleh Tue mere 0ool
= eve ~ y s'eaully Increased II Is =, "a
9uN9l. -AV US ginning OF we Ehshsl
-eNoluiloH spllItual dDo Ponucal power
WAS coLeeHl4Ieu ID lhe hahas OF aosolute
hlohalcnI' ne Iflends OF poHtcaI iib-
cry combined with the TRENDS OF rehg-
1oUs reform ana lneF enjoyed many al
Vahiages not SHARED by the people on the
con1tnen'' Many plecedents had been
estdollsneo 70 uPholu 'hem III theli stlug-
gie against oylahhlcai government The
Pllnclpies OF hoefty mad been often en-
oooled IN documents institutions We're
pregnant WIN the SEEDS OF liberty. The
crown domains, feudal lights and other
3noeRenoent revenues beng exhausted.
the Kings Were dependent upon parlia-
anent tor means OF support
ne lehglous retolmers wished to es
tabhsh their system but they We're unable
70 take step without the sanction OF
thell aIhes' the political reformers. Lib
sIty was the common interest OF all, and
'he revolution was struggle Tor liberty
ana 1oi the destruction OF absolute power
and pure monarchy There was politi
~ AZ f p,l 'nu " ie,lsIo,ls parry On the sac
80 '' ", ~ - 49,