The Federal Government of Switzerland: An Essay on the Constitution (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Federal Government of Switzerland: An Essay on the Constitution

Tlements, liberty and equality were, in a certain sense, imposed upon the people by the circum stances of colonial life. Yet, however favorable to liberty and equality may have been the con ditions of colonial life in some parts of America, there existed in other parts a superior counter acting force in the despotic traditions of the mother country. This was particularly true with reference to the Spanish colonies which were planted in the New World in the sixteenth century. Of these, Mexico is a conspicuous example. Although now in the list of federal republics, yet it could not claim even nominal independence and liberty till after three centuries of uncompromising despotism. Most English colonial dependencies have worked their way to prominence through a struggling age of feeble ness. And in the effort have prepared themselves to win and defend their liberty. But the Span ish dependencies have been from the outset equipped with ample legal machinery, and been controlled and supported by the sagacity and power of the monarch, and in this state of com plete subordination have lost much of the self assertion and self-control which are requisite to the character of a free people.

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