Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/349

Rh favorable to the education of the people, and consequently salutary. And until this general political education is completed, no one can judge with any certainty of the republican form of government. Switzerland is as yet young in her public life. It is only a few years since its union established its form of government on that of the North American States. Is it not under the shelter of its republican freedom that Switzerland has already produced so many men remarkable for their influence on the development of mankind in almost every branch of human culture? Is it not under the shelter of this tree of freedom that so many excellent educational institutions have sprung up and daily increase for the younger generation, so many beautiful asylums for the aged, and for those who have suffered shipwreck in life? Is it not in its shelter that every home, and every private individual has the opportunity of enjoying independence of conscience and the noblest culture? Let us not fail in the due estimation of such fruits of popular freedom!

There exists in Switzerland—whether it be the result of the political institutions of the country, or from any other influences—a certain high-toned opinion with regard to that which is right, moral, and