The Continental Monthly, Vol. III, No. V, May, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. III, No. V, May, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
It is, therefore, seen that, by the very necessity of the case, when men
themselves are to be massed into communities and nations, they come
inevitably under the same universal method of organization. Whether the
government be free, or whether it be despotic, it must, in either case,
be organized, and organized according to this universal method. It must
consist of parts with their centres, compounded into wholes, and of
these compound units formed into still larger ones; until the entire
nation, as a grand whole, revolves upon a central pivot, or national
government.
But here there presents itself a vast distinction between despotic and
free governments--a distinction which arises out of the different
relations sustained, in these respective modes of administration,
between the government and the people--between the centre and the
subordinate parts. What is this difference?
If we look around through nature, we shall find that all organized
beings, that is, beings composed of different parts or organs, all
aiding, in their several ways, to the performance of a common function,
or a number of harmonized functions--in such an organized structure,
whether it be a plant, an animal, the human body, or even the globe
itself, we shall find two reciprocal movements--one from the centre,
outward, and another from without, inward, or toward the centre; and
further, that the integrity of the life of the individual depends upon
the harmonious relation or balance between these two opposite movements.
The individual man, for instance, is a centre of active energies that
are ever radiating from himself toward men and things around him; and he
receives from them, in return, countless impressions and various
materials for supporting his own life. What is thus true of the man
himself, is also true of the organs and systems of organs of which his
body is composed. The nervous system exhibits nerves with double
strands; one set (the motor fibres) conveying nervous force from the
centre as motor power to the limbs; the other, conveying sensations _to_
the centre, from without.
The heart, again, the centre of the circulating system, sends forth its
crimson tide to the farthest circumference, and receives it back as
venous blood--to send it forth afresh when purified in the lungs.
The plant has its ascending and descending sap; it drinks in the air and
sunshine, and gives these forth again in fragrance and fruit. The very
globe receives its life from the sun--and radiates back, forces into
space.
Human governments--human political and social organizations, are no
exceptions to this general law. Every government, even the most
despotic, while it rules a nation with a rod of iron, depends for its
life upon the people whom it oppresses. While the central head radiates
its despotic will through its pliant subordinates, down through all
ranks and classes of the community, it receives from them the means of
its own preservation.
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