Ebook The House of Hapsburg

Let a score of men come together, for any social, commercial, political or religious purpose, and begin to devise and discuss ways and means: in a little while, it will be seen that the majority are ciphers, and that two or three are trying to lead. All things being equal, the ablest will take the place that nature gave him the strength to hold.

In the olden times, the Judge of the barbarous tribe was undoubtedly the man who was thought to be the wisest. The Chief was the warrior who was bravest, strongest, and luckiest. As these civil and military head-men were chosen by the free vote of the tribe, the office of Judge and of Chief went from man to man, as the years rolled by. The tribe made the few and simple laws necessary to primitive conditions. The tribe divided the lands, once a year, and gave to each family its home.

The Judge heard all disputes, decided each case on its merits, and the tribe enforced the decision.

The Chief led the warriors against other tribes, or in the distant ventures which might mean the conquest of more desirable lands. In time, this Chief was called "King," a word which meant, in our familiar phrase, "The ablest to do things."