the early local
liberties of the people. It has always been the synonym of freedom and
the haven of refuge for the politically oppressed of all nations, and
its freedom has always had a tendency to advance civilization, not only
within the boundaries of the Swiss government, but throughout all
Europe. Progressive ideas of religion and education have ever
accompanied liberty in political affairs. The long struggle with the
feudal lords and the monarchs of European governments, and with the
Emperor of Germany, united the Swiss people on a basis of common
interests and developed a spirit of independence. At the same time, it
had a tendency to warp their judgments respecting the religious rights
and liberties of a people, and more than once the Swiss have shown how
narrow in conception of government a republic can be. Yet, upon the
whole, it must be conceded that the watch-fires of liberty have never
been extinguished in Switzerland, and that the light they {344} have
shed has illumined many dark places in Europe and America.

_The Ascendancy of Monarchy_.--Outside of Switzerland the faint
beginning of popular representation was gradually overcome by the
ascendancy of monarchy. Feudalism, after its decline, was rapidly
followed by the development of monarchy throughout Europe. The
centralization of power became a universal principle, uniting in one
individual the government of an entire nation. It was an expression of
unity, and was essential to the redemption of Europe from the chaotic
state in which it had been left by declining feudalism.

Monarchy is not necessarily the rule of a single individual. It may be
merely the proclamation of the will of the people through one man, the
expression of the voice of the people from a single point. Of all
forms of government a monarchy is best adapted to a nation or people
needing a strong central government able to act with precision and
power. As illustrative of this, it is a noteworthy fact that the old
Lombard league of confederated states could get along very well until
threatened with foreign invasion; then they needed a king. The Roman
republic, with consuls and senate, moved on very well in times of
peace, but in times of war it was necessary to have a dictator, whose
voice should have the authority of law. The President of the United
States is commander-in-chief of the army, which position in time of war
gives him a power almost resembling imperialism. Could