[The following communication from Mrs. Woodhull, who, as the public is
already informed, has devoted herself to enlightenment on the question
of government, will be found as interesting as any of her previous
letters on the same subject This is Mrs. Woodhull’s concluding letter
on the Tendencies of Government:]
In entering upon the next and third part of the subject, we are
conscious of the imperfect construction of the second. It must be
remembered that the purpose of the _resume_ was not to give consecutive
historic detail, but to mark such special facts as evidently show there
was a progressive and consecutive rise and fall of nations. Without
apology for omissions and minor errors, we proceed to the consideration
whether the facts elicited from history form a consecutive chain of
progress, by which the world has been evolved from barbarism, and
whether this evolution has been according to present philosophic
formulas. The first and most prominent fact that becomes obvious to the
observer of general history is that the progress of empire has always
been from the east, westward. The progress of the earth in its daily
rotation upon its own axis and also in its orbital movement around the
sun is toward the east. This is believed to explain the order maintained
by the course of empire. Motion being in the direction of the least
resistance, the general tendency of the surface influence of the earth
must be west. Counter side influences have at times caused deviations
from straight lines, but this only makes the general proposition still
more forcible. Therefore, as a general proposition, the course of empire
and of civilization and population has always been westward.
If this proposition is applied to pre-historic times, to govern
deductions regarding it, neither Assyria nor Egypt can be considered as
having been the first powerful empire of the world. It is known that in
them there existed a numerous and powerful people of whom history fails
to give the exact or even supposed origin; the same is true of all the
surrounding countries, in Europe, Asia and Africa. If it is allowed that
population has resulted from the same general law that civilization has,
it must be admitted that China and India were the predecessors of
Assyria and Egypt.
Allowing that China and India existed as vast tribal communities
previous to the historic age of Assyria and Egypt, it will be seen that
population, general civilization and improving government crossed Asia
westward and developed the Assyrian Empire, which, for the same general
reasons must be held the predecessor of Egypt.
The Assyrian Empire attained its greatest power under Semiramis, 2,150
years B. C., which was about the beginning of the historic age of Egypt,
and 700 years before Sesostris conquered the greater part of the known
world. In whatever comparative light the histories of these two
countries are viewed, Assyria must be deemed the more ancient empire. It
may be further observed, if Nimrod was the first King of Assyria, and
the father of Ninus, who was the husband of Semiramis, the empire came
to its greatest glory in an exceedingly short time. Very many reasons
can be assigned why Assyria must have been an empire of centuries when
Semiramis reigned.
The Assyrian Empire, in the year 2,150 B. C., was the great power of the
world, having sway over the greater part of Asia and Africa. Seven
hundred years afterward, or 1,499 years B. C., Egypt had risen to its
greatest glory, and under Sesostris acquired the Assyrian Empire,
besides a vast country in Europe and Africa which Semiramis had never
subdued.
Out of the ruins of Assyria, Babylon, Nineveh and Medea were formed,
and, after being consolidated, were merged into the famous Persian
Empire by Cyrus, 536 years B. C., or 950 years after the proudest
Egyptian period. The Persian Empire absorbed the Indian and Egyptian,
and became the most splendid power that had existed, and with rising
Greece divided the world.
Grecian power being concentrated by Alexander of Macedon, he acquired
the ascendancy over the Persians, and became the world’s conqueror.
Numerous Grecian colonies, following the general tide of influence
westward, formed powerful kingdoms in various parts of the Mediterranean
coasts and islands.
Rome, rising to power, contended with Carthage for supremacy in the
west. Carthage being destroyed by the three Punic wars, the attention of
Roman armies was turned eastward, to gather in the elder empires that
were verging on decay. Greece, 146 years B. C., became the Roman
province of Achaia. Continuing its conquests further, fifty years B. C.,
Rome became ruler of a greater part of the inhabited world than any of
the previous empires, and existed in the utmost pomp and glory several
centuries, until the northern barbarians swept over and extinguished it.
No considerable Power existed after 476, until Charlemagne’s, though
some influence attached to several Asiatic countries. Civilized nations
were extinct in Europe. From Charlemagne, in 800, to 1500, civilization
continued to rear its blighted head in various parts of Europe, and to
mark the countries that should play the next last act in the drama of
unceasing general progress.
The historic age of the world, then, has been occupied thus: The
Assyrian Empire existed and was subdued by the Egyptian, which was
conquered by the Persian, which was destroyed by the Grecian, which was
compelled to yield to the Roman, which was destroyed by the barbarians,
that from its ashes numerous kingdoms and empires should arise, to exist
together, and to spread over and occupy the outside world Rome had never
known.
From this succession of empire many deductions might be drawn which
would assist in forming a well-defined line of progress. Many are so
obvious that it would be superfluous to name them; therefore we leave
them, with the general observation, that in each succeeding empire the
condition of the people was more directly and distinctly recognized,
while each, in grasping for universal sway, and not possessing the
principles upon which universal government was possible, exceeded the
limits of its central strength, and thereby fell. India and China alone,
of all ancient nations, survive, because they have never sought to
extend their limits, but have expended their strength within their own,
though it often was in war.
The commercial greatness of England, more than any other present
externally apparent power, is promoting the general assimilation of the
world. This influence is producing very great and diffusive results in
Asia, Africa and South America, and the way is being opened and cleared
for more radical and general control. It is impossible that the
increasing power of civilized and enlightened ideas and customs in
India, China and Asia generally, should not revolutionize those
countries. Many Chinese will return from this country, carrying with
them the solvent power of the genius of our institutions, which,
combining with all similar powers, will ere long kindle the flame of
popular individual freedom. This flame will cause republics to spring
into existence where one form of government has existed through historic
time over the same defined limits of kingdom. Another great and powerful
influence is being evolved that cannot fail to exercise a tremendous
modifying power over Asia. Russia, the European giant, is slowly but
surely pushing into Asia from the west. If it continue its present
well-consolidated home strength, it will absorb Asia until it meet the
same absorbing process proceeding westward, when Asia will be prepared
for a still grander consummation.
In Europe, Russian influence is also gaining the ascendancy. Though one
of the youngest of European kingdoms, it seems possessed of an inherent
strength superior to them all, which Bonaparte, with all his terrible
power and ambition, could not scatter nor weaken, and which stands ever
ready to gather under its protecting wings the sickening adjacent
kingdoms. At present Russia is biding her time and strengthening her
arms, which she is conscious shall soon reach out and grasp all they can
compass.
Prussia, meantime, is spending its strength in the vain, though
apparently successful, endeavor to consolidate a country under absolute
control, that is impossible of a people so numerously and diffusively
represented, in a country where freedom is the rule. Throughout
Southern, Central and Southwestern Europe, republicanism impatiently
awaits the time to burst forth, and sweep among the debris of the past
all traces of monarchy. The country over which the Roman eagles
triumphed will again be under a republican form of government, improved
upon that of Rome by 2,000 years of successful experiment. Russia will
then occupy a central position between the republics of Europe and Asia,
and its emperors be the last to yield their crowns. Like no other
country, Russia has vast possessions in the unyielding frigid zone,
which gives way but slowly before the gradually equalizing temperature
of the globe, and of the character of which Russian Government naturally
partakes.
Though revolutionized, Southeastern Asia will remain China and India,
the ancient Assyrian, Persian and Grecian Empires will be resurrected
under the consolidated Russian, while Africa will be left for Egyptian
control, the promise of which begins to be visible in the direction
given to civilization and commerce by the successful accomplishment of
Nechos’ defeated project, and, Egypt returned to be a nation of
importance. Africa will naturally gravitate to Egypt, as it is possessed
of no other salient point from which dominion and power can spring. In
this regard Africa differs from all the other grand divisions of the
globe. The character of its inherent wealth is also different. Other
countries have their frozen regions, inland seas and marshes, stupendous
mountains and deep jungles, but Africa alone has its Sahara. Commerce
has scattered the germs of civilization here and there upon the coasts
of Africa, but its central portions are to all intents as undeveloped as
when Semiramis went into Ethiopia, and Sesostris levied his tributes of
gold, silver, precious stones and woods. What Africa is held in reserve
for by the general economy of the universe it is impossible to
determine; but that a time will come when her resources will be required
and obtained, is philosophically certain.
In Europe, where the more prominent scenes of modern history have been
enacted, a modified method of conquest was begun by its countries,
resembling that which was pursued by ancient Greece. This was not so
much a subdual of foreign countries to actual control as it was the
general diffusion among them of civilization upon a more extended scale,
made possible by improvements in the art of navigation. The assimilation
of the world was thus begun upon a more perfect basis than by force of
arms, and which differed widely from it in this fact: that while
arbitrary control was at all times open to overthrow, the process of
becoming alike, could never be interrupted except by the suspension of
intercourse. Under the former, no two empires could exist side by side
for any length of time without one being subjugated by the other; under
the latter a number of kingdoms have existed for centuries, and though
frequently engaged in conflict to settle some dispute of boundary or
policy, it has seldom been pursued to utter destruction. The same end
grasped for by Semiramis first and by Bonaparte last is being reached by
the much more certain though gradual process of assimilation.
Thus far America has been untouched, but its consideration now becomes
necessary. The Old World, as has been found, must continue its
evolution, until like conditions shall exist everywhere. Similar
interests beget union. When the general people shall begin to realize
that their common interests depend upon the interests of each
individual, one system of government must follow, whether it proceed
from one common centre or from several centres.
What is America? Americus Vespucius and Christopher Columbus, acting
upon sound scientific principles, discovered to the inhabitants of the
Old World a new country, that was to be a haven of retreat for such of
them as sought greater freedom and better equality, in which
individuality could expand without coming in contact and being dwarfed
by personal government. In continuing to be this haven of retreat it has
become the representative country of the world. To its hospitable and
ever-inviting shores people of all nations and climes have come, so that
in two centuries the principal country of it has grown to be a Nation of
more inherent strength than any country of the Old World, and to rank
among its nations as a first class Power, both feared and respected.
The United States of America, all genuine Americans believe, will become
the United American States. The very name is prophetic of what shall be,
while the progress made in that direction begins to give well-defined
outlines of it. Beginning on the Atlantic coast an infant republic, the
United States has stretched its arms westward across the Continent. The
same oceans that bound the east and west of the Old World wash its
eastern and western shores. Having gained ocean-bound limits
latitudinally, which form a central basis of strength, it will expand
longitudinally until it shall become an ocean-bound republic—a grand
confederation of States and interests, which, while being peculiarly
American, will be so far cosmopolitan as to represent the descendants of
every nation of the world—we no longer say of the known world. Europe
has its well-defined limits of kingdoms and states, the people of which
seldom pass from one to the other to become citizens; so also has Asia,
while Africa is more nearly homogeneous; but they all give up their
people to America. America, besides being American, is European, Asiatic
and African, while each of these is becoming American. No well-informed
person doubts that the progressive greatness, of republican forms of
government, is rapidly dissolving the strength and solidity of all the
monarchies of the Old World; though they may affect to despise
republics, and to call ours a failure, their subjects are anxiously
asking, When can we successfully revolutionize? Though such a step may
not be openly advocated by any, it is, nevertheless, secretly discussed,
and preparatory means are being devised, in every country.
And for these reasons the United American States will be the
representative country of the world. Some may argue, because the
commercial power of England is so superior; because she has such
numerous general possessions, the English language being the one that
must become universally used, that, by virtue of these, that dignity
belongs to England. The fact cited above, showing that the general
disintegrating influence of the world centres and is integrated in the
United States, is a sufficient answer to such an illegitimate
argument—illegitimate, because it is evident to all, that the process of
the diffusion of English influence throughout the world is, so far as
England is concerned, one of disintegration; while that going on upon
American soil is diametrically opposite, being most decidedly one of
integration. If the process of integration is pursued until it
culminates, and the argument is educed that disintegration must follow
in America as it has in England, it may be answered that the English
influence that is being diffused world-wide is peculiarly English;
while, when that process shall have commenced in America, it will
proceed from a centre formed by previous influx from all countries in
the world, and in this sense is not a process of disintegration, but
simply of reaction.
The general law of direction for population and civilization was
westward until it had encircled the globe, and in their last conquest
found a country of sufficient inherent vitality to attract all other
countries toward it. Not only does the tide of influence continue to
flow to America from the east, but since her power has made itself felt
upon the Pacific coast, the same tide has set in from the west, and Asia
pours her surplus population upon our western coast, which exemplifies
one of the modifying portions of the rule of motion. For the time,
therefore, though preponderant commercial importance must be accorded
England, the United States thereby loses none of its general prestige as
the representative country of the world.
From whatever point consideration begins, the conclusion that is
inevitably reached is, that the world must, in due time, become subject
to one system of government. Whether that system shall at first proceed
from one common centre or from several centres, is not so presently
apparent, though that such a consolidation will be ultimately reached no
one can doubt, who gives proper weight to the established fact that all
perfect things become universal. So it is with everything of vital
interest to the general people; rapid and sufficient communication is
the only limiting power that controls their diffusion. In proportion as
the diffusive means increase, in number and extent, so do the interests
of the people become proportionately assimilated and best systems
prevail.
A striking exemplification of the benefit that would flow from the
adoption of general systems in all things may be drawn from the system
of international telegraphing. A universal language in this becomes of
the first importance. How much more important when the general uses and
benefits are considered. The adoption of a universal language would
remove the greatest obstacle from the path of the general diffusion of
knowledge and innumerable difficulties from methods of communication.
It should be further observed, that the same law governs in all
communications between the different countries. This is a necessity, in
order that the intercourse may be preserved and be at all times safe.
Should it be inquired, how much of the common law of the world is
similar, the answer returned would astonish all who had not given it
consideration, by being so considerable a portion of the whole. Were the
inquiry pressed further, to find how great modifications of common law
would be required in the various nations to make a common administration
possible to all, a still greater astonishment would be developed by the
slight disparities that would be shown to exist.
It has been remarked that England has possessions in very many latitudes
and longitudes of the world. Over these possessions a governing control
is exercised, which control foreshadows the possibility of a government
that shall control every country in all latitudes and longitudes. When
it is remembered that the countries of Asia are practically as near
Washington as California, there can be no argument deduced from distance
against a common and world-wide administration of government. The broad
assertion is made, that there is no argument against universal
governmental administration, but that every possible argument urges all
people to prepare for it as the thing of all things to be desired by
them.
It only remains for some one of the great countries of the world to
arrive at, or to approximate to, a perfect system of government that
shall contain the elements and principles of sufficient inherent
strength, to insure to that country the power which shall control the
destinies of the world. From what has been said regarding the position
of the United States, it must be admitted, that nearly all the natural
advantages, as well as the general order of things, are on this side of
the globe. If any conclusions naturally flow from the observation of the
past tendencies in the order of nature, they are that the United States
is destined to be the centre of a universal government.
The tendencies of government from earliest historic time have
persistently been to universal sway. The systems and forms through which
this tendency has been manifested have changed from time to time, as the
circumstances that created them—the environment—the sum total of the
governed—have changed. These systems will continue to be modified, until
this tendency shall have opened such channels for itself, as will permit
free and untrammeled action; until these channels shall have encircled
the world, and its utmost limits shall have been attracted within the
realm of its positive flow and negative reaction, and until the
commanding magnetic influence that shall proceed from its central seat
of power shall reach all subjects and find in their general heart an
answering response of fidelity and confidence.
In such fidelity and confidence each and all can safely and earnestly
devote themselves to the best aims and wisest purposes of life—to
intellectual, moral and spiritual growth. In this general and universal
pursuit the millennium, so long prophesied and prayed for, can alone be
gained, through which reaching, the government of heaven can alone be
administered on earth.
Government, then, will be no longer one of physical force, but of the
more powerful control of wisdom, including, perhaps, modified forms of
force. Caste will no longer be distinction regarding material position
or possession, but in moral and spiritual position and intellectual
possession. In such government and caste a true aristocracy can exist in
the midst of a true democracy. All will be born free and entitled to the
inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in
self-chosen paths, which alone is perfect equality. Perfect equality in
the order of nature does not presuppose that all shall be alike, but it
does presuppose that all shall be equal in the right to apply their
natural or acquired talent according to the dictates of the power that
governs them—the same as the flower and the tree follow their natural
courses, and are equal, but not alike. As the lightning and the
sunshine, the mountain and the river, the bird and the bee, the
earthquake and the storm, follow their natural courses and tendencies
under the government of the universal God, so shall the people follow
theirs under a universal social government, when fashioned after the
same general principles that obtain in the domain of nature. For
Honest nature’s voice shall give
The laws to man by which he’ll live.
It will be seen, then, that the philosophic formulæ that it has been
demonstrated the evolution of matter conforms to, apply with equal
force, effect and directness to the evolution of society, which is the
fruit, so to speak, of the evolution of matter. The evolution of
society, then, is “a continuous establishment of psychical relations
within the community, in conformity to physical and psychical relations
arising within the environment, during which both the community and the
environment pass from a state of incoherent homogeneity to a state of
coherent heterogeneity, and during which the constitutional units of the
community become ever more distinctly individualized.” Thus it has been
from the earliest existence of communities, and this formulæ applies to
all communities, whether Assyrian or American.
The process of revolution in its ultimate effects brings about a perfect
state of action and reaction in all the various productions of nature,
by which they are first perfected and then destroyed. The process in
society must also continue until an equilibrium shall have been attained
between the governing power and the power governed. When this is reached
its perpetual continuance will depend solely upon the perpetuity of that
over which it acts, or upon continuous individual existence. Continuous
existence does not belong to the kingdoms below man, but does to man,
from the fact that inherent within his consciousness there is a
persistent though utterly unexplainable and undefinable knowledge of
continuous existence, which is forever independent of all the changeable
circumstances of the purely material, and which represents in him that
characteristic of Divine power exhibited everywhere in the universe
which is forever beyond scrutiny and limitation.
This evidence of Divine power within the individual, then, is the
distinction between man as the product of nature and all other products
of nature; while the consciousness of its existence is the direct
evidence to the understanding that as the Divine power is eternal, so
must that within be, which partakes of it, or is made up of its
essential attributes.
It becomes the duty, then, of each individual who can catch but faint
glimpses of such a consummation as universal government, to point it out
and to assist by all legitimate means in the dissemination of light upon
it and all relevant subjects. It becomes the duty of each nation to see
that its people are educated to the same ultimate perception; and
specially does it become the duty of that nation which seems appointed
by the Divine order of things to become the central power of all the
rest to push its influence and the genius of its institutions abroad and
into every nation. A mere passive acquiescence in this Divine
appointment will not suffice; an active and positive acceptance of the
mission, and the faithful and persistent performance of the great trust,
is required.
When the people of this country shall rise to a true and competent
conception of the responsibilities of the position assigned it in the
order of the universe, the present system of things will undergo such
rapid transformations as no revolution ever yet accomplished, and to
which the destruction of the Roman empire by the barbarians can alone
compare in magnitude. By that the dominion of the world was wrested from
Rome; by this that shall come, it shall be restored to that country of
which Rome was the Divine prophecy. Personal, sectional and national
motives will be sunk in oblivion, and such governing rules of action
will obtain as shall bring the world into intimate, harmonious and
Divine relations, such as will know no Jew nor Christian, Mohammedan nor
Pagan, but one general and acknowledged brotherhood of man, flowing from
the common fatherhood of God.
[Editorial from the New York Herald of May 27, 1870.]