None of these federations, however, was founded with half wisdom of Germanic institutions, Helvedian League, or nation as a whole.

If these bodies are still so few and so far from perfection we think possible, it is because realization of good is always less than ideal. For politically and morally, more we expand our knowledge, more we are forced to recognize extent of our suffering.

In addition to these formal confederations, other, less obvious, but no less true confederations can be built, consisting of common interests, agreement of habits and customs, acceptance of common principles, established ties. between politically divided countries are silently intensifying.

Thus, great European powers form a single whole, united by unity of religion, moral norms and international law. Through letters, commercial and finally through balance, inevitable result of all these connections.

No matter how consciously one tries to maintain this connection, it cannot be destroyed as easily as many imagine. This European concert did not always exist. The specific reason that caused it is still working hard to keep it alive.

The fact is that before conquest of Romans, peoples of this continent were mired in barbarism, completely unfamiliar to each other, having nothing in common except a courageous character.

The character, corrupted by customs of slavery, in their eyes is not much different from what constitutes a savage.

Thus, Greeks were vain and contradictory, almost dividing human race into two separate races, so to speak. One, of course, was created by themselves to rule, and other was created by rest of world just to be slaves.

This bond is further strengthened by adopted principle, be it wisest or most stupid, to transfer all rights of conqueror to conquered.

The most important thing is famous decree of Claudius, according to which all subjects of Rome are included in list of its citizens. Thus, all members of empire were united into one political body.

They were also united by laws and civil institutions that strengthened political ties by a fair and unambiguous recognition of ruler and subject, mutual rights and obligations of one citizen in relation to another.

Code of Theodosius and later legislation of Justinian formed a new bond of justice and reason, which showed clear signs of weakness of sovereign power at moment when it replaced it.

More than anything else, this will keep empire from falling apart and even keep it in control of barbarians who ravage it. Religion provides a third, stronger connection.

It cannot be denied that even now Europe is more indebted to Christianity than to any other influence on Union, however imperfect, that has survived among its members.

This is so true that a people that rejects Christianity remains a stranger among other peoples. Christianity was so despised in infancy that in time it became its refuge.

Roman Empire pursued it relentlessly for centuries, drawing from it a strength it could no longer find on its own. The missionaries did more for this than any victory.

He sent bishops to correct mistakes of his generals, and when his soldiers failed, he won with help of priests.

So Franks, Goths, Burgundians, Langobards, strong>Avars strong> and others finally recognized power of empire which they owned, at least superficially, law of gospel and law of princes that had been preached to them.

Even in its death throes, this majestic institution commanded such respect that, in end, its victors were honored to accept its title.

The generals who humiliated Empire became ministers and officials of Empire. The king proudly welcomed them and even gathered nobles, counties and consulates.

And like those he could easily devour, these formidable conquerors paid homage to a throne they could abandon at any moment.

Thus, clergy and empire bind nations that share principles and beliefs in groups with no real interests, rights, or interdependence. effects still persisted.

The Roman Empire never ceased to unite peoples that were once part of it. Because Rome was still asserting its power in a different form after fall of Empire, Europe, home of both temporal and spiritual power, still maintained closer relations of friendship than anywhere else.

Countries on other continents are too scattered to interact with each other. They have no other points of contact that Europe enjoys. There are other, more specific reasons for this difference.

European population is more even, and land distribution is more even. It is easier to move from one part of it to another. The interests of his princes were linked by ties of blood, trade, art and colonies.

Countless rivers meander from one country to another, making it easy to communicate. A kinship love of change drives its inhabitants to constant travel, often taking them to foreign lands.

The invention of printing and general love of writing gave them a basis for common knowledge and common intellectual pursuits. Finally, its quantity and smallness.

The country, desire for luxury and variety of climate that Europe offers to satisfy them, are necessary to each other.

All these reasons combined make Europe more than just an imaginary collection of peoples like Asia and Africa.

There is nothing in common except for name, but a real community, with religion and moral principles, with its own customs and even laws, which no participating country can refuse without shaking whole frame.

Watch an endless strife, robber, usurper, riot, war strong>, murder, they have brought devastation to this ancient home of philosophy, this glorious mecca of art and science.

Consider infinite humanity of our aphorisms and endless cruelty of our actions.

So benevolent is our religion, so ferocious is our intolerance. Our politics are so soft in our textbooks and so harsh in our deeds. Our rulers are so generous, our people are so unhappy, our government is so soft, our wars are so fierce.

Then tell me how to reconcile these seeming contradictions. Tell me, is this so-called brotherhood of European peoples nothing but bitter sarcasm of their mutual hatred? But, Really, what else can you expect?

Every community without laws and rulers, every alliance created and maintained by chance, is doomed to strife and strife at first change.

The historical union of peoples of Europe has involved their rights and interests in a thousand complications. They touch each other at so many points that neither of them can move without touching other. Their differences are even more fatal. Since they are more closely intertwined, their frequent squabbles are almost as ferocious as internecine wars.

Links:

"On Confederation and Federalism in Theory of European Integration of Early Modern Times"

"Permanent and comments"

"World History"