The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-08-24
CIVILIZATION.
No. L.

was none other. He possessed the good
sense of knowing what he could accom-
plish. He knew the revolution had been
directed against despotism, and that he
must rule by parliament. He tried to
form parliament from every party will
ing to take part with him in government,
but as soon as they were seated they en-
deavored to take from him his authority.
He knew that his government was hateful
to the people, but all knew that it was
necessary. An regarded his rule as tran
STORY. He always had to enforce his
authority by force. At his death no
party was in a condition to govern and
the Stuarts were restored. This ancient
monarchy was the only form of govern
ment of which the faults had not been
realized in the last 20 years.
Lord Clarendon was prime minister
under Charles II. They brought back
with them the principles of absolute
sovereignty kept within legal bounds.
Order was established and the national
interests were cared for. The principle
of absolute sovereignty had become
powerless Seeing that the commons pos
sessed the preponderance of power, new
royalist rarty was formed which dis
charged Clarendon. The Cabal ministry
and Earl )anbys disregarded the princi-
piles of law and justice was selfish and
immoral, wanting in dignity and honor.
But it possessed tact, was not so antigua
ted as Clarendon and was more popular
but more dangerous. Corruption and
contempt of public honor We're carried to
an uncomfortable extent and national
party supported by the nation was formed.
The King was obliged to take the leaders
l.; p,1tt how
possessed more virtue than political tact.
The legal ministry, the corrupt ministry
and the national ministry had all failed,
and the country was in similar position
10 that when Cromwell assumed the reigns
of government.
Charles IL. protiting by the example of
lutte power. His brother, James H., at
tempted TO combine popery with absolute
power.
The quarrel was settled by William III.
The revolution of 1858 was European as
we'll as English. Louis XIV. attempted
to establish universal monarchy on the
continent at this time. Though the strug
gle was not of parties but of states, yet
it was struggle for civil and religious
liberty.
William, Prince of Orange, was head of
the league against Louis NV. and, eros
sing the English Channel. won England
to the cause of liberty. Charles III. and
James II. had belonged to Louis XIV.
The Emperor Of Germany and Innocent
N. opposed Louis from fear of his APP
preaching power rather than from love
of political and religious liberty. Eng
land stands at the head of European civil
ization. Civil and religious orders have
developed there more rapidly than on the
continent. Under the Tudors pure mon
archy and the principles of democracy
dourished at the same time. The revolu-
ton of the nth century was a political
and religious conquest. Monarchy tri-
umphed in England under Elizabeth and
in France under Louis NV.
No system gained SO exclusive control
in England as on the continent. The
conQueror must tolerate the presence of
his rival. Political experiments were
made on a larger scale on the continent.
They occupied longer time and attained
greater vigor. The simultaneous devel-
opment Of social elements enabled Eng
land to acquire political good sense and
to establish stable government sooner
than any other nation. England being
the more rapidly developed is the more
and philosophy are more advantageousy
studied on the continent, where the move
ments were slower and on a larger scale.
The movements were always in the
same order, though taking place more rap
idly in England than on the c9r5inent
Pure monarchy existed in Spai' in the
time Of Charles Y. long before Louis
NV. of France. Free inquiry reigned in
England in the 18th century, one hundred
years before it was developed in France.
But these principles were not dissemiuat-
ed in Europe until taken up by the social
genius Of France. Previous to the close
OF the 18th century wars were mere bands
OF populations sweeping over the country,
lmpelled by want or fancy. Now came
another class of wars as different from
these Of modern times. The governing
power abandoned their own territory and
penetrated distant lands from motives
similar to those actuating the maurading
bands of earlier days. The wars of Louis
XIV. were of different character. They
were from serious motives, to reach some
natural boundary or some point Of de-
Tense. They were for the lost part for
political reasons, to extend power and
glory of France. France is to-day what
Louis NV. made her. His policy was
able if not always just. Previous to the
time of Louis NV. Europe was divided
between the Protestant and Catholic
leagues. Now the division was between
universal monarchy and independence of
States. The system of balance of power
in Europe came into existence at this
time. Though Louis XIV. is accused of
lighting for the propagation of absolute
power, yet the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of France
was PROFESSIONALLY more powerful mo-
tive The legislation of Louis XIV. was
designed to produce public order and give
stability to laws. Though there was lit
tie thought of justice or liberty, these
laws were superior TO any preceding them.
And the ministers and diplomats were
unequalled by any contemporaries ex-
cept those of William of Orange. Other
governments were engaged in fighting for
existence, contending with enemies at
home or abroad. Here was the first ex-
ample of a government fighting for its
aggrandizement.
Philip II. of Spain established absolute
power by sitting every kind of activity,
but Louis fostered every innovation favor
able to progress and gave his government
preponderance in Europe. In the 18th
century the French government stood at
the head of civilization, but in the 18th
century it disappeared and French society
took its place. An absolute government
was never respected or came to its merited