The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-02-21
University Column
A CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS FOR
EUROPE
By Prof. J. r. Robertson

Americans more familiar with Eu-
rope and 10 lead us 90 think more
seriously upon its problems.
Rarely. however. do we think OF
Europe a. a whole. For US IL con-
sists Of separate states. each with
its own form Of government and
its social customs. We speak Of
monarchies and republics; Of dem
ocratic states and Of autocratic
states: Of the constitutional basis
NJ the one or the other.
II is probable that we must leara
IN The future to widen our point u
view 20 include all Of the states TO 3.
gether. There has always been a
sort Of unity among the nations Of
Europe that has changed from time
20 time and il is that union which
am calling the constitutional basis
Of Europe. There are just three
ways by which the states Of Europe
may be related TO one another, the
imperial, the national. and the fed
eral.
The imperial type Of unity in
clude. all peoples under one SOW
ereien power. II was best realized
by the Roman Empire. which 70"
centuries held together the civilized
peoples OF Europe and the parts OF
Africa and Asia surrounding the
Mediterranean Sea. Its influence
was felt far beyond its borders
among the barbaric peoples that
surrounded the empire proper. II
was political system that was
based on power and conquest. II
cared little or none for the con-
sent Of the governed. II absorbed
all that came in its path that might
Withstand its will. The constitu-
tional basis for Europe was imperial
The decline and fall Of this re-
markable empire left Europe divid-
ed into a multitude Of small frag-
ments. in the hands Of feudal lords
in the country and autocratic
councils in the cities. This was a
dark age for Europe, though lighted
here and there. in isolated spots, |
with unwonted brilliance. Around
the stronger and more resourcful
feudal states, as centers, gradually
grew up the modern nations OF Eu-
rope. based on racial similarity or
geographical unity. Thus came into
existence nationality as a consti-
tutional basis for Europe.
The system OF nationalism gave
opportunity for many of the most
bloody wars Of all time. Each nation
in turn aspired TO extend its own
territory or its influence at the ex-
pense OF its neighbors. Spain,
France, England in the earlier
times and Russia, Austria and Prus-
STA in later, give abundant examples
Of this fact. Out Of this constant
turmoil there gradually grew the
doctrine OF balance Of power, a
term which signifies the effort TO
hold in check an aggressive nation
by an alliance Of the other states
OF Europe. The combinations were
almost infinite in number and
changed with every changing cir
cumstance. Nationalism under the
check OF balance OF power was
the constitutional basis Of Europe
when the present war broke out,
and whatever Of peace and security
existed was the outcome OF a
balance Of power that rested on
counter alliance Of strong nation
alities. On this the very existence
OF the small states depended.
There remains but one other
constitutional basis for unity in
Europe, and that is included in
the word Federation. BY the ap- /,
Dlication Of this principle equal and
Independent states may come TO-
yether as closely or as loosely as c
hey may desire. Our own United
States is the truest and best ex- +
ample OF federation. BY this means \
he thirteen independent colonies p
With their differences and hostili- o
lies, were finally united and gave n
Use to our strong and beloved ma a
ion. 5
In the early times the independ- C
mt Greek states, beyond their age Z
n political thought, had discovered 4
he principle Of federation and c
fought 10 put il into operation just S
5efore they were absorbed by the 5
roman imperial state. The Dutch p
provinces al the mouth OF the O
Rhine river were federated when v
hey won their independence from a
spain. but changed through the r
PRESSURE from surrounding nations. b
switzerland is successful and H. g
ustrious example OF federation OF r
mountain cantons Of central Eu- p
.ora Earmap.. aauna ~ ha q otronU 4,