Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-05

sS@Aa2Aa4ala>A8aa&2-A A acter 1t is to the citi
Zens of small republics that we are indebted
both for the great discoveries which have
improved the condition or elevated the char
acter of mankind, and for the noblest ex-
amples Of private and public virtue with
which the page of history is adorned. 1t
was in the republics of ancient Greece, and
in consequence of the emulation which was
excited among her rival cities that the beau
tiful arts of poetry, sculpture, and archtec-
ture were first brought to perfection; and
while the genius of the human race was
slumberng among the innumerable multi
tudes Of the Persian and Indian monarchies,
the single city of Athens produced a sue
Cession Of great men, whose works have i'm
proved and delighted the world in every sue
ceedng age.
Examples OF this kind often led his
tOrians to consider the situation Of small
republics as that OF all others most adap pied
to the eXaltation and improvement of man
|. kind. 10 minds of an ardent and enthusiast
tic cast, who delight in the contemplation of
human genius, or in the progress of public
| Improvement, the brilliancy and splendor of
such little states form the most delightful of
all subjects; and accordingly, the greatest
of living historians, in his history of the
Italian republics, has expressed decided
opinion that in no other situation is such
scope afforded to the expansion of the hui
man mind, or such facility afforded to the
progressive Improvement Of our Species
With great balance Of judgment he observes
on the contrary:
MANY wise and good men have been led
| to regard small states as the prolific source
of human suffering; and to conclude that all
the splendOr, whether in arts or in science
with which they are Surrounded, is dearly
bought at the expense of the peace and tran
guilty of the great body Of the people, TO
such men it appears that the periods of his
| tory on which the historian dwells, or which
have been marked by extraordinary genius,
are not those in which the greatest public hap.
piness has been enjoyed; but that it is to be
| found rather under the quiet and ingIorioaa
government Of great and pacific empire"
He then proceeds to apply these principles
to the United States Kingdom of Great Britain
without pretending to determine which of
these opinions is the best founded, it is more
important for our present purpose to observe
that the union of the three Kingdoms in the
British Empire promises to combine for this
| country the advantages Of both these forms of
government without the evils of which either is
exposed"
Considering the case Of his own beloved
Scotland he proceeds to say:
"IOWards the accomplishment Of this most
desirable object, however, it is Indispensable
that each nation should preserve the remem-
Drance OF its own distinct origin, and look to
the glory of its own people, with an anxious
ana peculiar care. 1t is quite right that the
Scotch should glory with their aged sovereign
IN the name of Britain; and that when con-
sidered with reference to foreign states
Britain should exhibit united whole. intent
only upon UNFOLDING and extending the glory
OF that empire which her united forces have
formed. But it is equally important that her
"ncleHI metropolis should not degenerate into
provincial town; and that an independent ma
tlon, once tie rival of England should remem-
Der, with pride, the peculiar gI0ries nv which
her people have been distinguished Without
THIS, the whole good effects of the rivalry of
the TWO nations will be entirely lost and the
genius or her different people, in place of
ehuIatlng and improving each other will be
draWn into one center, where all that is
original and characteristic will be lost in rho
Overwhelming influence Of prejudice and
fashion. DN
Such an event would be an inca1culabIo
calamity to the metropolis and to the genius
OF this country
NOR would such an event be less iniurious
TO the general progress of science and arts
throughout the empire 1t is impossible ,o
uouot' that the circumstances of Scotland he
ing separate kingdom, and maintaining
rIFaIshlp with England, has done inca1ucn1a
Die good to both countries-that it has given
rise 10 succession of great men whose -
yours nave enlightened and improved man
MINI" VINO would not otherwise have acted
upon the career of knowledge. Who can saw
"Hdt would nave been the present condition
" England IN philosophy or science if she
n'u not peeh simulated by the splendid prog
-e90 WHICH scotland was making, and who can
cdcuiate the encouragement which Scottish
97"1US mas derived from the generous applause