Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/138

154 thanksgiving to “the Lord Almighty who had given them the victory over their enemies.” It was in the mean time easy to see that this victory could not be conducive to their freedom. The men of the Forest Cantons foresaw clearly that new hosts would speedily be armed against them and their freedom. In order to overcome these and to permanently withstand their enemies, the Confederates saw no other means but by an Eternal Sworn-Confederacy with each other.

It was at the town of Brunnen, on the 9th of December, 1315, that the deputies from the Forest Cantons assembled and swore an eternal confederacy against “all warfare and all power, ” as well within as against themselves. A confederacy, unlike other federate unions at this period, which had trade-interests or the acquisition of power or honor for their object, this aimed only at the maintenance of the noblest prerogatives of humanity,—freedom, justice, peace, and happiness. Therefore it won by degrees the esteem and attention of princes and people, and became confirmed by them not long after its commencement. Therefore it extended its power by degrees from its home in the Forest Cantons over more and ever more Cantons and their people, whom it attracted with magnetic force into its freedom and peace-giving circle. Therefore, during the course of several centuries, it has been able to overcome enemies both within and without, been able to form a federal republic, which at this moment stands alone amongst the States of Europe, an example to many and esteemed of all.

The Forest Cantons, the kernel of the Confederacy,