The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-05-18
CIVILIZATION.
No. 8.

No. 3.
We have noticed the infancy, growth
and maturity of feudalism and the Church
as civilizing influences from the fifth to
the twelfth centuries. Free cities in
their infancy were neither in state of
freedom nor servitude. They were not
free in the modern sense, for they were
subject to the depredations and violence
of the strong. They possessed a relic of
Roman institutions, and we hear of the
convocation of the senate, and many civil
transactions were arranged in the curiol
by magistrates. They were not in con-
dition of servitude, for they were &C
customed to join with their neighbors for
the defense Of their rights. AS feudalism
advanced the cities became of less i'm
portance, because they were included in
some fief and were under the control of
some lord. At the very time when the
cities seemed absorbed in the country
new conditions arose, new wants were
felt. Commerce and wealth increased
Even before the towns had built fortifca
tions, many unfortunate fugitves took
refuge in the Church. Refugees of this
sort, taking their property and fleeing
from their enemies, introduced much
wealth into the cities. Some came for
security, others from motives of sociabil-
ity. The rowing life was abandoned as
feudalsm became established, but the
love of excursion and piliage still re-
manned and they often went far from
home to pillage.
AS wealth increased, the need of pro
lection increased. Proprietors doubled
their rental at the close of the tenth cen
fury. At first insecurity increased with
industry. Mobiles attempted to increase
their wealth at the expense of the sur
rounding country, till the cities broke out
il rebellion. The feudal system con-
stantly displayed the power and energy
of the individual will. The enfranchse-
ment of the cities is placed at the begin
ming of the eleventh century Many I'M
known attempts are usually lost and many
triumph of any good cause. The en-
franchisement of towns was the result of
war declared by the people against their
lords. The houses in which our apces-
three stories, the upper one doubtless
used as watch tower. These houses
were tlanked with an angular tower. If
cities were unsuccessful of course they
were subjected to still greater oppression
after an instruction. But when they
were successful every treaty of peace was
a city charter.
The general spirit of insurrection may
have been to a certain extent contagious
but it was mostly due to the oppression
and means of resistance shared in com
mon by all cities or localities. Even the
charters or treaties were sometimes vio-
lated by both parties. Kings were some
times requested to interfere, sometimes
by the cities, sometimes by their lord.
Though all government remained for the
most part local, yet by calling on the
king to settle their quarrels, king and
people came into closer relations.
The citizen or burgess of the twelfth
century was either proprietor of houses
) or lands. 1t was three centuries later
when lawyers, physicians, magistrates
and men of lettets were added to this
class. The word citizen has an entirely
| iii mi, OF cd
history than it does at another, owing to
the changes in society, which are going
on continually. In Asia, where one class
has conquered another, the system of
caste has become established and society
has become immobile. But in Europe,
where no class could subjugate another,
this very struggle has rendered society,
active and progressive Variety and dis
cord have blended to form a splendid
national unity. The citizen of the twelfth
century was very modest, very different
from the naughty lord whom he has been
compelled to subdue on account of his op-
preston. Here we have the elements of
human character; humility, energy, ambi-
ton and love of justice. Though the
neighborly baron had been conquered by
physical force, the citizen still felt his
own intellectual inferiority The citizen
|; or burgess knew nothing of that haughti-
ness which animated the proprietor OF a
fief. Municipalities were sometimes es-
teemed, consulted and respected, but rare
ly feared. The struggle at this time de-
veloped patience, perseverance, boldness
and enegy of character. The Roman
empire was a coalition of municipalities
whose rights of sovereignty were transfer
red to the Roman world. The municipal
system became a mode of administration.
After the dark age of chaos, cities re-as-
sumed sovereignty for the sake of secur
ity. Neither respect for political theory
nor feeling of dignity influenced them.
Cities were governed by magistrates chos-
en- by the communal assembly which was
composed of all who dwelt within the
walls. Legally constituted trading COM