ISBN: 9780217071857

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1909. Not illustrat… More...

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1909. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ASHES OF THE BEACON AN HISTORICAL MONOGRAPH WRITTEN IN 4930 OF the many causes that conspired to bring about the lamentable failure of self-government in ancient America the most general and comprehensive was, of course, the impracticable nature of the system itself. In the light of modern culture, and instructed by history, we readily discern the folly of those crude ideas upon which the ancient Americans based what they knew as republican institutions, and maintained, as long as maintenance was possible, with something of a religious fervor, even when the results were visibly disastrous. To us of to-day it is clear that the word self-government involves a contradiction, for government means control by something other than the thing to be controlled. When the thing governed is the same as the thing governing there is no government, though for a time there may be, as in the case under consideration there was, a considerable degree of forbearance, giving a misleading appearance of public order. This, however, soon must, as in fact it soon did, pass away with the delusion that gave it birth. The habit of obedience to written law, inculcated by generations of respect for actual government able to enforce its authority, will persist for a long time, with an ever lessening power upon the imagination of the people; but there comes a time when the tradition is forgotten and the delusion exhausted. When men perceive that nothing is restraining them but their consent to be restrained, then at last there is nothing to obstruct the free play of that selfishness which is the dominant characteristic and fundamental motive of human nature and human action respectively. Politics, which may have had something of the character of a contest of principles, becomes a struggle... Ambrose Bierce, Books, History, The Collected Works Of Ambrose Bierce (volume 1); Ashes Of The Beacon. The Land Beyond The Blow. For The Ahkoond. John Smith, Libe Books>History, General Books LLC<

ISBN: 0217071856

Taschenbuch, [EAN: 9780217071857], Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Book, [PU: Cambridge Scholars Publishing], Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 65140011, Geschi… More...

Taschenbuch, [EAN: 9780217071857], Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Book, [PU: Cambridge Scholars Publishing], Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 65140011, Geschichte, 65141011, Afrika, 65383011, Altertum, 65196011, Amerika, 65622011, Arktis & Antarktis, 65400011, Asien, 65450011, Australien & Ozeanien, 65458011, Europa, 65538011, Historische Forschung, 65567011, Militär, 65621011, Militärwissenschaft, 65550011, Nahost, 65449011, Russland, 65597011, Weltgeschichte, 54071011, Genres, 52044011, Fremdsprachige Bücher<

ISBN: 0217071856

Paperback, [EAN: 9780217071857], General Books LLC, General Books LLC, Book, [PU: General Books LLC], General Books LLC, 65, History, 271237, Ancient History & Civilisation, 276416, Archa… More...

Paperback, [EAN: 9780217071857], General Books LLC, General Books LLC, Book, [PU: General Books LLC], General Books LLC, 65, History, 271237, Ancient History & Civilisation, 276416, Archaeology, 271343, Britain & Ireland, 271480, Europe, 271565, North America, 271411, Military History, 772016, Maritime History, 771710, Political History, 772148, Social & Economic History, 772162, Cultural History, 771714, Religious History, 271389, Other Historical Subjects, 771724, Essays, Journals, Letters & True Accounts, 271605, Reference, 771718, World History, 771708, Countries & Regions, 4119251, Academic History, 1025612, Subjects, 266239, Books<