Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/39

 GOVERNMENT. 27 is also more regularly administered, and, therefore, there is less anarchy and disorder. Wherever there exist nmnerous petty states, there is perpetual warfare and contention ; and the peo- ple are bought and sold without mercy. Thus sla- very and rapine are more general under the federal government of Celebes, than under any of the abso- lute governments. In Java, for example, it is re- markable that there is no personal slavery, no buy- ing and selling of human beings. The petty ty- rant of the village or district is engaged in the per- petual exercise of his tyranny ; but the greater des- pot has no time or opportunity. In the villages of the federal governments there is, of course, no vestige of elective government. In those ^f Java the people frequently choose their village officers with a remarkable degree of freedom, and with very little control. This benefit arises from the removal, to the greatest possible distance, of the influence of power and authority^] Even where absolute government is established, if the jurisdic- tion should be small, the mischievous effects of the interference of the sovereign are immediately felt. * all his subjects. lie is but a poor prince ; for, as I men- tioned before, they have but little trade, and therefore can- not be rich. If the sultan understands that any man has money, if it be but twenty dollars, which is a great matter
 * " The sultan (of Mindanao) is absolute in his power over