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suitable public institutions and laws； by the State administration
and foreign policy； but above all by the unity and power； of the
nation。
History everywhere shows us a powerful process of reciprocal
action between the social and the individual powers and conditions。
In the Italian and the Hanseatic cities； in Holland and England； in
France and America； we find the powers of production； and
consequently the wealth of individuals； growing in proportion to
the liberties enjoyed； to the degree of perfection of political and
social institutions； while these； on the other hand； derive
material and stimulus for their further improvement from the
increase of the material wealth and of the productive power of
individuals。
The real rise of the industry and power of England dates only
from the days of the actual foundation of England's national
freedom； while the industry and power of Venice； of the Hanse
Towns； of the Spanish and Portuguese； decayed concurrently with
their loss of freedom。 However industrious； thrifty； inventive； and
intelligent； individual citizens might be； they could not make up
for the lack of free institutions。 History also teaches that
individuals derive the greater part of their productive powers from
the social institutions and conditions under which they are placed。
The influence of liberty； intelligence； and enlightenment over
the power； and therefore over the productive capacity and wealth of
a nation； is exemplified in no respect so clearly as in navigation。
Of all industrial pursuits； navigation most demands energy；
personal courage； enterprise； and endurance； qualifications that
can only flourish in an atmosphere of freedom。 In no other calling
do ignorance； superstition； and prejudice； indolence； cowardice；
effeminacy； and weakness produce such disastrous consequences；
nowhere else is a sense of self…reliance so indispensable。 Hence
history cannot point to a single example of an enslaved people
taking a prominent part in navigation。 The Hindoos； the Chinese；
and the Japanese have ever strictly confined their efforts to canal
and river navigation and the coasting trade。 In ancient Egypt
maritime navigation was held in abhorrence； probably because
priests and rulers dreaded lest by means of it the spirit of
freedom and independence should be encouraged。 The freest and most
enlightened states of ancient Greece were also the most powerful at
sea； their naval power ceased with their freedom； and however much
history may narrate of the victories of the kings of Macedonia on
land； she is silent as to their victories at sea。
When were the Romans powerful at sea； and when is nothing more
heard of their fleets？ When did Italy lay down the law in the
Mediterranean； and since when has her very coasting trade fallen
into the hands of foreigners？ Upon the Spanish navy the Inquisition
had passed sentence of death long ere the English and the Dutch
fleets had executed the decree。 With the coming into power of the
mercantile oligarchies in the Hanse Towns； power and the spirit of
enterprise took leave of the Hanseatic League。
Of the Spanish Netherlands only the maritime provinces achieved
their freedom； whereas those held in subjection by the Inquisition
had even to submit to the closing of their rivers。 The English
fleet； victorious over the Dutch in the Channel； now took
possession of the dominion of the seas； which the spirit of freedom
had assigned to England long before； and yet Holland； down to our
own days； has retained a large proportion of her mercantile marine；
whereas that of the Spaniards and the Portuguese is almost
annihilated。 In vain were the efforts of a great individual
minister now and then under the despotic kings of France to create
a fleet； for it invariably went again to ruin。
But how is it that at the present day we witness the growing
strength of French navigation and naval power？ Hardly had the
independence of the United States of North America come to life；
when we find the Americans contending with renown against the giant
fleets of the mother country。 But what is the position of the
Central and South American nations？ So long as their flags wave not
over every sea； but little dependence can be placed upon the
effectiveness of their republican forms of government。 Contrast
these with Texas； a territory that has scarcely attained to
political life； and yet already claims its share in the realm of
Neptune。
But navigation is merely one part of the industrial power of a
nation a part which can flourish and attain to importance only
in conjunction with all the other complementary parts。 Everywhere
and at all times we see navigation； inland and foreign trade； and
even agriculture itself； flourish only where manufactures have
reached a high state of prosperity。 But if freedom be an
indispensable condition for the prosperity of navigation； how much
wore must it be so for the prosperity of the manufacturing power；
for the growth of the entire producing power of a nation？ History
contains no record of a rich； commercial； and industrial community
that was not at the same time in the enjoyment of freedom。
Manufactures everywhere first brought into operation improved
weans of transport； improved river navigation； improved highways；
steam navigation and railways； which constitute the fundamental
elements of improved systems of agriculture and of civilisation。
History teaches that arts and trades migrated from city to
city； from one country to another。 Persecuted and oppressed at
home； they took refuge in cities and in countries where freedom；
protection； and support were assured to them。 In this way they
migrated from Greece and Asia to Italy； from Italy to Germany；
Flanders； and Brabant； and from thence to Holland and England。
Everywhere it was want of sense and despotism that drove them away；
and the spirit of freedom that attracted them。 But for the folly of
the Continental governments； England would have had difficulty in
attaining supremacy in industry。 But does it appear more consistent
with wisdom for us in Germany to wait patiently until other nations
are impolitic enough to drive out their industries and thus compel
them to seek a refuge with us； or that we should； without waiting
for such contingencies； invite them by proffered advantages to
settle down amongst us？
It is true that experience teaches that the wind bears the seed
from one region to another； and that thus waste moorlands have been
transformed into dense forests； but would it o