Page:The Rise of the Swiss Republic (1892).djvu/13

Rh munity of Schwiz, which was the most pronounced in its opposition to the pretensions of the German nobility. It was not until 1648, by the Peace of Westphalia, that the complete independence of the Swiss from the German Empire was established beyond question.

There is another fact which must be borne in mind, namely, that Swiss self-government, in the opinion of the writer the most perfect yet devised by any free people, is Teutonic in character, like that of England and the United States. Although Switzerland is now a polyglot state, and her constitution expressly stipulates that German, French and Italian shall all alike be considered national languages, the majority of the inhabitants are German-speaking, and it was from them that the original impulse toward independence made itself felt. The other Romance-speaking Cantons were acquired by conquest, and were not admitted on a footing of equality until the beginning of the present century.

It is, indeed, surprising to notice how that country, with whose name we are accustomed to associate some of our noblest conceptions of liberty, has run up the gamut of self-government, striking all the intervening notes between complete subjugation and unquestioned independence. The history of the Swiss Confederation presents for our inspection six centuries of growth from the very rudiments of liberty to its full flower in the present day. It furnishes a veritable catalogue of priceless precedents for our edification and guidance, and the indifference with which it has heretofore been viewed by English-speaking scholars is, therefore, inexcusable.

Of course, the prevailing neglect of this promising historical field is susceptible of certain explanations, which do not, however, condone the fault of the neglect itself.

Switzerland is visited for the sake of its scenery; for recreation, not for study. The Swiss people themselves do not, at first sight, invite interest, nor does the national character stimulate the imagination. Public affairs are managed with so much moderation and sobriety that the attention of the world at large is not attracted to them. The country is too small, and apparently insignificant, amid the great powers of Europe, to arouse the enthusiasm of the superficial observer.

And. yet, how disproportionately large has been the share of Switzerland in the work of overthrowing the feudal system, of