Chapter 15 Chapter II Concerning the Origins of the Existing Old Government

Governments of this kind, which have hitherto existed in the world, could not have been established except by means which totally violated all sacred and moral principles.The oblivion of the origin of all existing old governments means that they began with crime and disgrace.The origins of the present governments in America and France will be remembered, for it is an honor to record them; but as for the rest, even if they are flattered, they will be sent to the grave of time, and need not be. What inscription. When the world was in the early savage times, when people mainly tended herds of cattle and sheep, it was easy for a band of outlaws to invade a country and force it to pay tribute.Having thus established their power, the gang chiefs secretly exchanged the title of robber for monarch: and this is the origin of monarchy and kings.

The origin of the English government, in so far as the line of its so-called monarchs is concerned, is perhaps the best recorded, being the shortest in history.The hatred aroused by the Norman invasion and tyranny must have been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and cannot be easily erased.Though no courtier speaks of the curfew bells of yesteryear, no village in England forgets it. After the gangs had carved up the world and turned it into domains, it was only natural that they began to quarrel with each other.What was acquired by violence is considered legal to be taken away by others, so a second predator follows the first.The brutality with which they treated each other by taking turns encroaching on the domains which had been allotted to them, speaks of the original character of monarchy.That's villain abuse villain.

The conqueror takes the conquered not as captives, but as property.In victory, he led him away by tinkling chains, and sentenced him to hard labor or death at will.As time obliterated their first part of history, their successors appeared in new guises; their inherited disgrace was wiped away, but their principles and aims remained the same.The first plunder was given a sweeter name of taxation; but the powers first usurped they gladly inherited. From a government thus begun, what else is to be expected but continual wars and exactions?It has become a business.Bad behavior is not peculiar to this or that person, but is a rule common to all.In such a government there is not sufficient force upon which to effect reform; the quickest and most effectual remedy, therefore, is to begin anew.

Just consider the character of such governments, and examine their history, and what horrors and crimes lie before your eyes!If we wish to paint a human nature so horrifying and unacceptable to man, it is kings, courtiers, and ministers who must be waiting to be painted.Although ordinary people also have various faults; they are not qualified for this qualification. How can we conceive of a world in such poverty and trouble as we see, if government springs from a right principle, and has no intention of promoting a wrong one?What causes the peasant who is tilling the land to abandon his peaceful labor to go to war with the peasant of another country?And what are the reasons that impel the factory owners to do this?What does territory mean to these people or to any category of people in a country?Does it add an acre to someone's property or increase the value of the property?

Doesn't victory and defeat have the same price, and the result is always the same tax?While this rationale may be good for the citizens of a country, it is not for the government.War is a pharaoh game played by the governments of various countries, and the people are the deceived in this game. If there is anything more astonishing in this deplorable state of affairs of government than might be expected, it is the achievement of peaceful labor in agriculture, industry, and commerce under such a long-accumulated burden of despair and oppression. improvement.This circumstance may show that animal nature has no stronger influence on man than the principles of society and civilization.In the face of adversity, man pursues his goal tirelessly, making no concessions to anything but the impossible.