In the republics of the ancient world, where representative assemblies were unknown, legislative power vested with the citizens, the sovereign power being exercised by the whole people, acting directly in their own persons. They met in what we should now call primary assemblies. This early democracy found its most logical expression in the _Comitia_ of Rome and the _Ecclesia_ of Syracuse. The _Ecclesia_ embraced all citizens over twenty-one years of age, unless they had become liable to any loss of civic rights; it met so frequently, often once a week, that it would be inconceivable, if we did not remember that ordinary and professional labor was carried on not by the free citizens, but by the numerous slaves. The same plan prevailed in the early Teutonic tribes. Tacitus describes such an assembly, almost in the words of Homer: “In matters of inferior moment the chiefs decide; important questions are reserved for the whole community. When a public meeting is announced, they never assemble at the stated time; regularity would look like obedience; to mark their independent spirit, they do not convene at once, but two or three days are lost in delay. Each man takes his seat, completely armed. The king or chief of the community opens the debate; the rest are heard in their turn, according to age, renown in war, or fame for eloquence. No man dictates to the assembly; he may persuade, but cannot command. When anything is advanced not agreeable to the people, they reject it with a general murmur; if the proposition pleases, they brandish their javelins; this is the highest and most honorable mark of applause; they assent in a military manner, and praise by the sound of their arms.” Montesquieu is of the opinion that, in this treatise on the manners of the Germans, by Tacitus, an attentive reader may trace the origin of the British constitution; a system which he claims was found in the forests of Germany. The Saxon _Witenagemot_ was beyond all doubt an improved political institution, grafted on the rights exercised by the people in their own country. The author of the “European Settlements in America” writes: “The Indians meet in a house, which they have in each of their towns for the purpose, on every solemn occasion, to receive ambassadors, to deliver them an answer, to sing their traditionary war songs, or to commemorate the dead. These councils are public. Here they propose all such matters as concern the state, which have already been digested in the secret councils, at which none but the head men assist.”