principles of absolute government, its restoration
on an extensive scale required only the success of
a new line of usurpers from the ranks of the petty
sovereigns, whose power was established on the
downfall of the last absolute government. This
oscillation may be easily traced in the history of
those nations of the Archipelago, where there has
been a field for the establishment of considerable
states, as among the Malays and Javanese.
Whatever be the form of government among
the civilized tribes of the Archipelago, slavery, or
at least servitude, is alike the lot of the people, but
their condition is invariably most easy and comfortable,
where the absolute authority of one despot
has superseded that of the many. * They even
enjoy a larger share of personal freedom under
such a government 5 for their immediate rulers
are in some degree responsible. The government
* “ The history of the lower classes of a people is the relation
of the events which, in creating at the same time a
great inequality of fortune, enjoyment, and individual happiness,
have gradually placed a part of the nation under the tutorage
and control of the other. We shall seek for this
relation in vain in the annals of history. They transmit to
us the memory of the great political revolutions, wars, conquests,
and other scourges which have afflicted humanity, but
they inform us nothing of the more or less deplorable lot of
the poorest and most numerous class of society.”—Humboldt’4
Political Essay on Neu> Spain, Book II. chap. 6.
is also more regularly administered, and, therefore,
there is less anarchy and disorder.
Wherever there exist numerous petty states, there
is perpetual warfare and contention ; and the people
are bought and sold without mercy. Thus slavery
and rapine are more general under the federal
government of Celebes, than under any of the absolute
governments. In Java, for example, it is remarkable
that there is no personal slavery, no buying
and selling of human beings. The petty tyrant
of the village or district is engaged in the perpetual
exercise of his tyranny; but the greater despot
has no time or opportunity. In the villages
of the federal governments there is, of course, no
vestige of elective government. In those of Java
the people frequently choose their village officers
with a remarkable degree of freedom, and with
very little control. This benefit arises from the
removal, to the greatest possible distance, of the
influence of power and authority. Even where
absolute government is established, if the jurisdiction
should be small, the mischievous effects of the
interference of the sovereign are immediately felt. *
* “ The sultan (of Mindanao) is absolute in his power over
all his subjects. He is but a poor prince ; for, as I mentioned
before, they have but little trade, and therefore cannot
be rich. If the sultan understands that any man has
money, if it be but twenty dollars, which is a great matter