But it may be said that some subject classes aretoo lowthus to be lifted—that there are some races too weak to be thus wrought into a barrier against aristocracy. I deny it. For history denies it. The race is not yet discovered in which the average man is not better and safer with rights than without them.
Think you thatyourancestors were so much better thanothersubject classes? Look into any town directory. The names show an overwhelming majority of us descendants of European serfs and peasantry. I defy you to find any body of men more degraded and stupid than our ancestors.
Do you boast Anglo-Saxon ancestry?—look at Charles Kingsley's picture in Hereward of the great banquet, the apotheosis of wolfishness and piggishness; or look at Walter Scott's delineation in Ivanhoe of Gurth the swine-herd, dressed in skins, the brass collar soldered about his neck likethe collar of a dog, and upon it the inscription, "Gurth the born thrall of Cedric."
Do you boast French ancestry?—look into Orderic Vital, or Froissart, or De Comines, and see what manner of man was your ancestor, "Jacques Bonhomme"—kicked, cuffed, plundered, murdered, robbed of the honor of his wife and the custody of his children, not allowed to wear good clothing,[62]not recognized as a man and a brother,[63]not indeed in early times recognized as a man at all.[64]
Do you boast German ancestry?—look at Luther's letters and see how the unutterable stupidity of your ancestors vexed him.
Yet from these progenitors of yours, kept besotted and degraded through centuries by oppression, have, by comparatively a few years of freedom, been developed the barriers which have saved modern states.
Is it said that this bestowal of rights on the oppressed is dangerous? History is full of proofs that the faith in Heaven's justice which has led statesmen to solve great difficulties bybestowingrights has proved far more safe than the attempt to evade great difficulties bywithholdingrights.[65]
Is it said that the anarchic tendencies of an oppressive caste can be overcome by compromise and barter? History shows that the chances in trickery and barter are immensely in their favor.
Is it said that the era of such dangers is past—thatcivilizationwill modify the nature of oppressive castes? That is the most dangerous delusion of all. In all annals, a class, whether rough citizens as in Poland, or smooth gentlemen as in France, based on traditions or habits of oppression, has proved areptilecaste. Its coat may be mottled with romance, and smooth with sophistry, and glossy with civilization;—it may wind itself gracefully in chivalric courses; but its fangs will be found none the less venomous, its attacks none the less cruel, its skill in prolonging its reptile life, even after seeming death wounds, none the less deceitful.
Is it said that to grapple with such a reptile caste is dangerous? History shows not one example where the plain, hardy people have boldly faced it and throttled it and not conquered it.
The course is plain, and there it but one. Strike until the reptile caste spirit is scotched; then pile upon it a new fabric of civil and political rights until its whole organism of evil is crushed forever.
For this policy alone speaks the whole history of man,—to this policy alone stand pledged all the attributes of God.
FOOTNOTES:[1]History of Civilization in Europe. Third Lecture.[2]Sempere,Histoire des Cortes d'Espagne, Chap. 6.[3]Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella. Introduction, p. 48.[4]Hallam's Hist. of Middle Ages, Vol. 2, p. 30.[5]Robertson's Introduction to Life of Charles V., Section 3d; also Prescott.[6]What an effect this early liberty had in stimulating thought can be seen in a few moments by glancing over the pages of Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature.[7]For some statements as to hardy characteristics of Spanish peasantry, see Doblado's Letters from Spain. Letter 2.[8]Sempere, p. 205.[9]Mariana Hist. of Spain.[10]Mariana, History of Spain.[11]Mariana, History of Spain, XIII., 11.[12]"There probably never lived a prince who, during so long a period, was adored by his subjects as Philip II. was." Buckle, Vol. II., page 21. This explains the popularity of Henry VIII. of England better than all Froude's volumes, able as they are.[13]All this examination into Aristocratic agency in Spanish decline is left out of Buckle's Summary. He passes at once to Ecclesiasticism and Despotism; but the unprejudiced reader will, I think, see that this statement is supplementary to that. In no other way can any man explain the fatuity of the Spaniards in throwing away these old liberties.[14]Grandeur et Décadence des Romains; English translation of 1784; pp. 109-10. Compare alsoL'Esprit des Lois, liv. xiv., chap. 1.[15]Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, chap. 2.[16]Fall of Roman Empire, last part of chap. 1.[17]Histoire de la Civilisation en France, 2mc Leçon.[18]History of Roman Republic, Book III., chap. 1.[19]Schlosser,Weltgeshichte für das Deutsche Volk; vol. iv., xiv., 1.[20]Essay on the Fall of Rome; Essays, vol. iii., p. 445.[21]History of the Romans, vol. vii., pp. 480-81.[22]Bancroft's Miscellanies.[23]The Roman and the Teuton—Lectures delivered before the University of Cambridge, p. 20.[24]Guizot,Civilisation en Europe, 10me Leçon; also Trollope's History of Florence, vol. 1., chap. 2.[25]Trollope's History of Florence, as above.[26]Any historical student can easily satisfy himself of the truth of this statement by comparing the cases given by Barante in hisHist. des Ducs de Bourgognewith those given by Sismondi in theHist. des Républiques Italiennes.[27]Inferno; canto xii., 138.[28]Ibid; canto vi., 60.[29]Histoire des Républiques Italiennes, vol. x.[30]For the working out of this principle by French and English nobilities into cruelties more frightful and inexcusable than any known to the Inquisition, see Orderic Vital Liv. XII. and XIII., also Barante'sHistoire des Ducs de Bourgogne.[31]For examples of the brilliant side of Polish history presented, and dark side forgotten, see ChodzkoLa Pologne Historique Monumentale et Pittoresque. For fair summaries, see Alison's Essay, and his chapter on Poland, in the History of Europe—the best chapter in the book. The main authorities I have followed are Rulhière and Salvandy.[32]This statement is based upon my own observations in Poland in the years 1855-6.[33]Rulhière,Anarchie de Pologne. Vol. I., page 47.[34]Salvandy,Vie de Jean Sobieski. Vol. I., page 115.[35]The effects of Polish anarchy at home and intrigue abroad are pictured fully in a few simple touches in the "Journal du Voyage de Boyard Chérémétieff." (Bibliotheque Russe et Polonaise.) Vol. IV., page 13.[36]To understand the causes of this deep hatred, see Monteil,Histoire des Français des divers Etats, Epitre 22.[37]St. Beuve,Causeries de Lundi. Also Matthew Arnold's Essays.[38]Guizot,Civilisation en France, 19me Leçon; alsoHüllman's, Staedtewesen des Mittelalters. Vol. III., Chapter 1.[39]For these preposterous complaints and claims see theCahiers de doléancesquoted in Sir James Stephens' Lectures.[40]Some details of Richelieu's grapple with the aristocracy I have given in the Atlantic Monthly, Vol. ix., page 611.[41]For samples of thementalcalibre of French nobility under this regime, see case of Baron de Breteuil, who believed that Moses wrote the Lord's Prayer. Bayle St. John's translation of St. Simon, Vol. I., p. 179. For sample of theirmoraldebasement, see case of M. de Vendome.Ibid., Vol. I., p. 187.[42]InLes Plaideurs.[43]In Le Médecin Malgré lui, and other plays.[44]In Le Marriage Forcé.[45]La Noblesse Commerçante.London, 1756.[46]For general account, seeMignet, orLouis Blanc, orThiers. For speeches in detail, seeBuchez et Roux, Histoire Parlémentaire, Vol. II., pp. 224-243.[47]Challamel Histoire-Musée de la République Française, Vol. I., pp. 72-75, where some of these illustrations can be found.[48]Buchez and Roux, Vol. II., p. 231.[49]Mignet, Vol. I.[50]Histoire de la Révolution Française par Deux Amis de la Liberté, Vol. II., p. 228.[51]Any American, whose ideas have been wrested Torywise by Alison, can satisfy himself of the utter inability of an English Tory to write any history involving questions of liberty, by simply looking at Chancellor Kent's notes attached to the chapter on America in the American reprint of Alison's History of Europe.[52]Constitution de 1791, Titre Premier.[53]Constitution de 1791, Titre III., Sect. 2, Art. 1.[54]Any one wishing to see how that inevitable moral debasement came upon the German aristocracy, and in general what the oppressive caste came to finally, can find enough in the 2d vol. of Menzel's History of Germany.[55]Gerbertzoff,Hist. de la Civilisation en Russie. Haxthausen,Etudes sur la Russie. A full sketch of the Rise and Decline of the serf system in Russia I have attempted in the Atlantic Monthly, Vol. X., page 538.[56]Creasy's History of English Constitution;—but Hume says of Leicester's Parliament, that it was in the intention of reducing forever both the King and the people under the arbitrary power of a very narrow tyranny, which must have terminated either in anarchy or in violent usurpation and tyranny. Hist. of England, Chap. XII.[57]I perhaps do the last two Georges injustice. Neither of them would have publicly insulted men of letters and science as the Prince of Wales has several times done recently.[58]Creasy, Chap. IX.[59]Fischel on English Constitution, Chap. I., pp. 9, 11. Also Stephens' Edition of De Lolme.[60]For best account of this, see May's Constitutional History.[61]See Kay's Social Condition of English People.[62]Among the grievances put forth by the nobles at the States General of 1614, one was that the wives of the common people wore too good clothing; another was that an orator of the third estate had dared call the nobles their brothers. Sir James Stephens' Lectures.[63]Among the grievances put forth by the nobles at the States General of 1614, one was that the wives of the common people wore too good clothing; another was that an orator of the third estate had dared call the nobles their brothers. Sir James Stephens' Lectures.[64]For a very striking summary of this see Henri Martin'sHist. de France, vol. v., p. 193.[65]I know of but one plausible exception to this rule—that of the failure of Joseph II. in his dealings with the Rhine provinces. The case of Louis XVI. is no exception, for he was always taking back secretly what he had given openly.
[1]History of Civilization in Europe. Third Lecture.
[1]History of Civilization in Europe. Third Lecture.
[2]Sempere,Histoire des Cortes d'Espagne, Chap. 6.
[2]Sempere,Histoire des Cortes d'Espagne, Chap. 6.
[3]Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella. Introduction, p. 48.
[3]Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella. Introduction, p. 48.
[4]Hallam's Hist. of Middle Ages, Vol. 2, p. 30.
[4]Hallam's Hist. of Middle Ages, Vol. 2, p. 30.
[5]Robertson's Introduction to Life of Charles V., Section 3d; also Prescott.
[5]Robertson's Introduction to Life of Charles V., Section 3d; also Prescott.
[6]What an effect this early liberty had in stimulating thought can be seen in a few moments by glancing over the pages of Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature.
[6]What an effect this early liberty had in stimulating thought can be seen in a few moments by glancing over the pages of Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature.
[7]For some statements as to hardy characteristics of Spanish peasantry, see Doblado's Letters from Spain. Letter 2.
[7]For some statements as to hardy characteristics of Spanish peasantry, see Doblado's Letters from Spain. Letter 2.
[8]Sempere, p. 205.
[8]Sempere, p. 205.
[9]Mariana Hist. of Spain.
[9]Mariana Hist. of Spain.
[10]Mariana, History of Spain.
[10]Mariana, History of Spain.
[11]Mariana, History of Spain, XIII., 11.
[11]Mariana, History of Spain, XIII., 11.
[12]"There probably never lived a prince who, during so long a period, was adored by his subjects as Philip II. was." Buckle, Vol. II., page 21. This explains the popularity of Henry VIII. of England better than all Froude's volumes, able as they are.
[12]"There probably never lived a prince who, during so long a period, was adored by his subjects as Philip II. was." Buckle, Vol. II., page 21. This explains the popularity of Henry VIII. of England better than all Froude's volumes, able as they are.
[13]All this examination into Aristocratic agency in Spanish decline is left out of Buckle's Summary. He passes at once to Ecclesiasticism and Despotism; but the unprejudiced reader will, I think, see that this statement is supplementary to that. In no other way can any man explain the fatuity of the Spaniards in throwing away these old liberties.
[13]All this examination into Aristocratic agency in Spanish decline is left out of Buckle's Summary. He passes at once to Ecclesiasticism and Despotism; but the unprejudiced reader will, I think, see that this statement is supplementary to that. In no other way can any man explain the fatuity of the Spaniards in throwing away these old liberties.
[14]Grandeur et Décadence des Romains; English translation of 1784; pp. 109-10. Compare alsoL'Esprit des Lois, liv. xiv., chap. 1.
[14]Grandeur et Décadence des Romains; English translation of 1784; pp. 109-10. Compare alsoL'Esprit des Lois, liv. xiv., chap. 1.
[15]Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, chap. 2.
[15]Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, chap. 2.
[16]Fall of Roman Empire, last part of chap. 1.
[16]Fall of Roman Empire, last part of chap. 1.
[17]Histoire de la Civilisation en France, 2mc Leçon.
[17]Histoire de la Civilisation en France, 2mc Leçon.
[18]History of Roman Republic, Book III., chap. 1.
[18]History of Roman Republic, Book III., chap. 1.
[19]Schlosser,Weltgeshichte für das Deutsche Volk; vol. iv., xiv., 1.
[19]Schlosser,Weltgeshichte für das Deutsche Volk; vol. iv., xiv., 1.
[20]Essay on the Fall of Rome; Essays, vol. iii., p. 445.
[20]Essay on the Fall of Rome; Essays, vol. iii., p. 445.
[21]History of the Romans, vol. vii., pp. 480-81.
[21]History of the Romans, vol. vii., pp. 480-81.
[22]Bancroft's Miscellanies.
[22]Bancroft's Miscellanies.
[23]The Roman and the Teuton—Lectures delivered before the University of Cambridge, p. 20.
[23]The Roman and the Teuton—Lectures delivered before the University of Cambridge, p. 20.
[24]Guizot,Civilisation en Europe, 10me Leçon; also Trollope's History of Florence, vol. 1., chap. 2.
[24]Guizot,Civilisation en Europe, 10me Leçon; also Trollope's History of Florence, vol. 1., chap. 2.
[25]Trollope's History of Florence, as above.
[25]Trollope's History of Florence, as above.
[26]Any historical student can easily satisfy himself of the truth of this statement by comparing the cases given by Barante in hisHist. des Ducs de Bourgognewith those given by Sismondi in theHist. des Républiques Italiennes.
[26]Any historical student can easily satisfy himself of the truth of this statement by comparing the cases given by Barante in hisHist. des Ducs de Bourgognewith those given by Sismondi in theHist. des Républiques Italiennes.
[27]Inferno; canto xii., 138.
[27]Inferno; canto xii., 138.
[28]Ibid; canto vi., 60.
[28]Ibid; canto vi., 60.
[29]Histoire des Républiques Italiennes, vol. x.
[29]Histoire des Républiques Italiennes, vol. x.
[30]For the working out of this principle by French and English nobilities into cruelties more frightful and inexcusable than any known to the Inquisition, see Orderic Vital Liv. XII. and XIII., also Barante'sHistoire des Ducs de Bourgogne.
[30]For the working out of this principle by French and English nobilities into cruelties more frightful and inexcusable than any known to the Inquisition, see Orderic Vital Liv. XII. and XIII., also Barante'sHistoire des Ducs de Bourgogne.
[31]For examples of the brilliant side of Polish history presented, and dark side forgotten, see ChodzkoLa Pologne Historique Monumentale et Pittoresque. For fair summaries, see Alison's Essay, and his chapter on Poland, in the History of Europe—the best chapter in the book. The main authorities I have followed are Rulhière and Salvandy.
[31]For examples of the brilliant side of Polish history presented, and dark side forgotten, see ChodzkoLa Pologne Historique Monumentale et Pittoresque. For fair summaries, see Alison's Essay, and his chapter on Poland, in the History of Europe—the best chapter in the book. The main authorities I have followed are Rulhière and Salvandy.
[32]This statement is based upon my own observations in Poland in the years 1855-6.
[32]This statement is based upon my own observations in Poland in the years 1855-6.
[33]Rulhière,Anarchie de Pologne. Vol. I., page 47.
[33]Rulhière,Anarchie de Pologne. Vol. I., page 47.
[34]Salvandy,Vie de Jean Sobieski. Vol. I., page 115.
[34]Salvandy,Vie de Jean Sobieski. Vol. I., page 115.
[35]The effects of Polish anarchy at home and intrigue abroad are pictured fully in a few simple touches in the "Journal du Voyage de Boyard Chérémétieff." (Bibliotheque Russe et Polonaise.) Vol. IV., page 13.
[35]The effects of Polish anarchy at home and intrigue abroad are pictured fully in a few simple touches in the "Journal du Voyage de Boyard Chérémétieff." (Bibliotheque Russe et Polonaise.) Vol. IV., page 13.
[36]To understand the causes of this deep hatred, see Monteil,Histoire des Français des divers Etats, Epitre 22.
[36]To understand the causes of this deep hatred, see Monteil,Histoire des Français des divers Etats, Epitre 22.
[37]St. Beuve,Causeries de Lundi. Also Matthew Arnold's Essays.
[37]St. Beuve,Causeries de Lundi. Also Matthew Arnold's Essays.
[38]Guizot,Civilisation en France, 19me Leçon; alsoHüllman's, Staedtewesen des Mittelalters. Vol. III., Chapter 1.
[38]Guizot,Civilisation en France, 19me Leçon; alsoHüllman's, Staedtewesen des Mittelalters. Vol. III., Chapter 1.
[39]For these preposterous complaints and claims see theCahiers de doléancesquoted in Sir James Stephens' Lectures.
[39]For these preposterous complaints and claims see theCahiers de doléancesquoted in Sir James Stephens' Lectures.
[40]Some details of Richelieu's grapple with the aristocracy I have given in the Atlantic Monthly, Vol. ix., page 611.
[40]Some details of Richelieu's grapple with the aristocracy I have given in the Atlantic Monthly, Vol. ix., page 611.
[41]For samples of thementalcalibre of French nobility under this regime, see case of Baron de Breteuil, who believed that Moses wrote the Lord's Prayer. Bayle St. John's translation of St. Simon, Vol. I., p. 179. For sample of theirmoraldebasement, see case of M. de Vendome.Ibid., Vol. I., p. 187.
[41]For samples of thementalcalibre of French nobility under this regime, see case of Baron de Breteuil, who believed that Moses wrote the Lord's Prayer. Bayle St. John's translation of St. Simon, Vol. I., p. 179. For sample of theirmoraldebasement, see case of M. de Vendome.Ibid., Vol. I., p. 187.
[42]InLes Plaideurs.
[42]InLes Plaideurs.
[43]In Le Médecin Malgré lui, and other plays.
[43]In Le Médecin Malgré lui, and other plays.
[44]In Le Marriage Forcé.
[44]In Le Marriage Forcé.
[45]La Noblesse Commerçante.London, 1756.
[45]La Noblesse Commerçante.London, 1756.
[46]For general account, seeMignet, orLouis Blanc, orThiers. For speeches in detail, seeBuchez et Roux, Histoire Parlémentaire, Vol. II., pp. 224-243.
[46]For general account, seeMignet, orLouis Blanc, orThiers. For speeches in detail, seeBuchez et Roux, Histoire Parlémentaire, Vol. II., pp. 224-243.
[47]Challamel Histoire-Musée de la République Française, Vol. I., pp. 72-75, where some of these illustrations can be found.
[47]Challamel Histoire-Musée de la République Française, Vol. I., pp. 72-75, where some of these illustrations can be found.
[48]Buchez and Roux, Vol. II., p. 231.
[48]Buchez and Roux, Vol. II., p. 231.
[49]Mignet, Vol. I.
[49]Mignet, Vol. I.
[50]Histoire de la Révolution Française par Deux Amis de la Liberté, Vol. II., p. 228.
[50]Histoire de la Révolution Française par Deux Amis de la Liberté, Vol. II., p. 228.
[51]Any American, whose ideas have been wrested Torywise by Alison, can satisfy himself of the utter inability of an English Tory to write any history involving questions of liberty, by simply looking at Chancellor Kent's notes attached to the chapter on America in the American reprint of Alison's History of Europe.
[51]Any American, whose ideas have been wrested Torywise by Alison, can satisfy himself of the utter inability of an English Tory to write any history involving questions of liberty, by simply looking at Chancellor Kent's notes attached to the chapter on America in the American reprint of Alison's History of Europe.
[52]Constitution de 1791, Titre Premier.
[52]Constitution de 1791, Titre Premier.
[53]Constitution de 1791, Titre III., Sect. 2, Art. 1.
[53]Constitution de 1791, Titre III., Sect. 2, Art. 1.
[54]Any one wishing to see how that inevitable moral debasement came upon the German aristocracy, and in general what the oppressive caste came to finally, can find enough in the 2d vol. of Menzel's History of Germany.
[54]Any one wishing to see how that inevitable moral debasement came upon the German aristocracy, and in general what the oppressive caste came to finally, can find enough in the 2d vol. of Menzel's History of Germany.
[55]Gerbertzoff,Hist. de la Civilisation en Russie. Haxthausen,Etudes sur la Russie. A full sketch of the Rise and Decline of the serf system in Russia I have attempted in the Atlantic Monthly, Vol. X., page 538.
[55]Gerbertzoff,Hist. de la Civilisation en Russie. Haxthausen,Etudes sur la Russie. A full sketch of the Rise and Decline of the serf system in Russia I have attempted in the Atlantic Monthly, Vol. X., page 538.
[56]Creasy's History of English Constitution;—but Hume says of Leicester's Parliament, that it was in the intention of reducing forever both the King and the people under the arbitrary power of a very narrow tyranny, which must have terminated either in anarchy or in violent usurpation and tyranny. Hist. of England, Chap. XII.
[56]Creasy's History of English Constitution;—but Hume says of Leicester's Parliament, that it was in the intention of reducing forever both the King and the people under the arbitrary power of a very narrow tyranny, which must have terminated either in anarchy or in violent usurpation and tyranny. Hist. of England, Chap. XII.
[57]I perhaps do the last two Georges injustice. Neither of them would have publicly insulted men of letters and science as the Prince of Wales has several times done recently.
[57]I perhaps do the last two Georges injustice. Neither of them would have publicly insulted men of letters and science as the Prince of Wales has several times done recently.
[58]Creasy, Chap. IX.
[58]Creasy, Chap. IX.
[59]Fischel on English Constitution, Chap. I., pp. 9, 11. Also Stephens' Edition of De Lolme.
[59]Fischel on English Constitution, Chap. I., pp. 9, 11. Also Stephens' Edition of De Lolme.
[60]For best account of this, see May's Constitutional History.
[60]For best account of this, see May's Constitutional History.
[61]See Kay's Social Condition of English People.
[61]See Kay's Social Condition of English People.
[62]Among the grievances put forth by the nobles at the States General of 1614, one was that the wives of the common people wore too good clothing; another was that an orator of the third estate had dared call the nobles their brothers. Sir James Stephens' Lectures.
[62]Among the grievances put forth by the nobles at the States General of 1614, one was that the wives of the common people wore too good clothing; another was that an orator of the third estate had dared call the nobles their brothers. Sir James Stephens' Lectures.
[63]Among the grievances put forth by the nobles at the States General of 1614, one was that the wives of the common people wore too good clothing; another was that an orator of the third estate had dared call the nobles their brothers. Sir James Stephens' Lectures.
[63]Among the grievances put forth by the nobles at the States General of 1614, one was that the wives of the common people wore too good clothing; another was that an orator of the third estate had dared call the nobles their brothers. Sir James Stephens' Lectures.
[64]For a very striking summary of this see Henri Martin'sHist. de France, vol. v., p. 193.
[64]For a very striking summary of this see Henri Martin'sHist. de France, vol. v., p. 193.
[65]I know of but one plausible exception to this rule—that of the failure of Joseph II. in his dealings with the Rhine provinces. The case of Louis XVI. is no exception, for he was always taking back secretly what he had given openly.
[65]I know of but one plausible exception to this rule—that of the failure of Joseph II. in his dealings with the Rhine provinces. The case of Louis XVI. is no exception, for he was always taking back secretly what he had given openly.
backcover
Transcriber's NotesMinor punctuation errors have been silently corrected. Footnotes have been reindexed with numbers and moved to the end of the document.In Footnote 17: "2mc" is a possible typo for "2me."(Orig:Histoire de la Civilisation en France, 2mc Leçon.)In Footnote 18: Changed "Boook" to "Book."(Orig: History of Roman Republic, Boook III., chap. 1.)