The Sun. — 1820-02-12 (London, England)

TENA X.  FOIL THE SUN.  THE ORIGIN AND IMPROVEMENT OF GOVERNMENT.  (No. II.)  MR. EntTott---The revolution in States, and changes of Govt.; nments, were the effects of natural causes within, but on the increase of men, various external causes produced Republics and absolute Monarchy. In the Republican form there are inherent defects. It is of an elastic nature, and, while compressed, its resistance is great, as the result of virtue. If small, it wants the powers of defence, and it large, it wants inherent tranquillity. It may exist in miniature, as among Arcadian shepherds, but the subjects are below their size, and ever in danger of foreign invasion. ' They are quiet.and careless. A large Republic, like Carthage, in its decline is a mere hydra, or a monster whose tail is its head, and is a victim to itself. A large aristocracy is tull of jealousy, and has at times a sullen tranquillity, but is liable w be destroyed by some overwhelming spirit, or shaken into a •femocracy, which ends iu tyranny. Uucompounded Republics, if large enotiOt io defend themselves, have a tendency progression, and make them foes to the rest of the world. To preserve their own peace they corrupt the minds and mariners of the subjects. Holland is sonic exception, which is rather a great trading company, governed by Directors, and headed by a Chairman.  t is equally absurd now to suppose a Republic void of merit, as it was during the 'league of Charles the Second with the King of France, to destroy Holland with religion, and liberty in England ; yet to call - a man a Republican, was thought a compliment, meaning a person who consulted the welfare of all ranks in the Nation, who detested the claim of a pretender to the Throne, who was a lover of the Revolution, and the succession in the House of Hanover. But things are changed, and whosoever doubts the prOpriety of, or opposes public measures, is a Republican leveller ; forgetting or not knowing that the western hemisphere owes the art of commerce, navigation, and mechanics to the Republics of Pbeilicia; the alt of war to Sparta ; the -art of elegance to Athens ; and time art of victory to the Romans ; though they each contained some rooted evil, and were imperfect. The Swiss or Helvetic cantons, as a compoundeld Republic, is the most perfect of all, and though they are in general Papists, it evinces that their absurd religion may co-operate, and mix with liberty as in Scotland, where the Presbyterean mode of worship does with a limited Monarchy. Few others have ended so happily. Most of them became subjects to an absolute Monarch. A tyrant of a vital State may know something of his people, and whom to trust ; but a tyrant of a large one, only knows a minor part of those he governs through fear, by men whom he bates.  Au absolute Monarchy is mitigated despotism, of which a slavish submission to the Monarch is the soul. Charles the Ninth of France, haying set an example of assassination, his two immediate successors were murdered, and all the virtues of Henry the Fourth were required to restore peace to the nation, which for fifty years atter. was continually in arms. Let Princes who wish to be absolute, or to govern by a Constitution like the lit itish, pause and .rcfleo, that within (lie last sixty-five years, an Emperor and three Kings were wounded by assassins. _ _  Some there are who contend that the British Constitution is not to their liking, because is is too free, and because they do not receive stilldent respect as gentlemen from the sturdy peasant, or jocular mechanic. It is incumbeot on these haughty beings to prove that they deserve respect, by having shown any to law or rergion, wisdom or common sense. Until when, let:hem continue as ignorant of the British Covet iment, as they ore of their duty to God and man. It hits been said, that no Country but BHan !tas a Consiitution, expressly combining law-, directing who shaii govern, and how; and prier the sancti,,n of a settled mode of redress apinst those iviio act contrary to their spi-rit. Tl)evord Conscitwioti is of amide meaning, and sh,.l be explained in the next Number.