Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The people are now the most industrious, peaceable, and civilized in the whole Ar-
chipelago. They are the best clothed, the best housed, the best fed, and the best educated;
and they have made some progress towards a higher social state. I believe there is no ex-
ample elsewhere of such striking results being produced in so short a time—results which
are entirely due to the system of government now adopted by the Dutch in their Eastern pos-
sessions. The system is one which may be called a 'paternal despotism.' Now we English-
men do not like despotism—we hate the name and the thing, and we would rather see
people ignorant, lazy, and vicious, than use any but moral force to make them wise, industri-
ous, and good. And we are right when we are dealing with men of our own race, and of sim-
ilar ideas and equal capacities with ourselves. Example and precept, the force of public
opinion, and the slow, but sure spread of education, will do everything in time; without en-
gendering any of those bitter feelings, or producing any of that servility, hypocrisy, and de-
pendence, which are the sure results of despotic government. But what should we think of a
man who should advocate these principles of perfect freedom in a family or a school? We
should say that he was applying a good general principle to a case in which the conditions
rendered it inapplicable—the case in which the governed are in an admitted state of mental
inferiority to those who govern them, and are unable to decide what is best for their perman-
ent welfare. Children must be subjected to some degree of authority, and guidance; and if
properly managed they will cheerfully submit to it, because they know their own inferiority,
and believe their elders are acting solely for their good. They learn many things the use of
which they cannot comprehend, and which they would never learn without some moral and
social if not physical pressure. Habits of order, of industry, of cleanliness, of respect and
obedience, are inculcated by similar means. Children would never grow up into well-be-
haved and well-educated men, if the same absolute freedom of action that is allowed to men
were allowed to them. Under the best aspect of education, children are subjected to a mild
despotism for the good of themselves and of society; and their confidence in the wisdom
and goodness of those who ordain and apply this despotism, neutralizes the bad passions
and degrading feelings, which under less favourable conditions are its general results.
Now, there is not merely an analogy,—there is in many respects an identity of relation,
between master and pupil or parent and child on the one hand, and an uncivilized race and
its civilized rulers on the other. We know (or think we know) that the education and in-
dustry, and the common usages of civilized man, are superior to those of savage life; and, as
he becomes acquainted with them, the savage himself admits this. He admires the superior
acquirements of the civilized man, and it is with pride that he will adopt such usages as do
not interfere too much with his sloth, his passions, or his prejudices. But as the wilful child
Search WWH ::




Custom Search