Page:Popular Works of Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1889) Vol 2.djvu/234

 and Freedom,—in order that they might not return to Asiatic despotism, but willingly admit the principle of Equality of Right for All, which had been previously developed among the Greeks and Romans. They would have to combine with this general characteristic the special feature of a delicate sense of Honour, in order that they might be accessible to the legitimate influence of Christianity upon Public Opinion which we have already pointed out. Precisely such elements as we have described were found among the Germanic Races, as if they had been expressly reserved for this great purpose. I mention only these; for the devastating inroads of other Races had no enduring results; and those kingdoms of other origin, which are incorporated with the Republic of Nations now existing in Europe, have for the most part received Christianity and Culture by means of the Germanic tribes. These Germanic tribes,—who were apparently of similar descent to the Greeks, and must have held intercourse with them at an earlier period as a strict examination of the respective languages might incontestibly prove,—occupied approximately the same stage of Culture in their forests as the Greeks in their Heroic Age. Many a Hercules, Jason, or Theseus, may there have assembled around them bands of willing associates, and achieved wonderful adventures with them, unnoticed by History. Their worship was simple as their manners, and they were seldom disturbed by scruples about their moral worthiness. Independence, freedom, and universal equality, had become natural to them by the usage of centuries. To fix the regards of all men by bold and hazardous enterprises, and after death to live in the songs of after times, was the aim of the more noble among them;—faithfulness even unto death, on the part of the free follower towards his leader, was the glory and honour of others;—and any breach of faith was universally regarded as so