Primary Document: Good Versus Bad Government
Leonardo Bruni
Panegyric to the City of Florence
REPUBLICANISMNow this interest in republicanism is not new to the Florentine people, nor did it begin (as some people think) only a short time since. Rather, this struggle against tyranny was begun a long time ago when certain evil men undertook the worst crime of all--the destruction of the liberty, honor, and dignity of the Roman people. At that time, fired by a desire for freedom, the Florentines adopted their penchant for fighting and their zeal for the republican side,and this attitude has persisted down to the present day. if at other times these political actions were called by different names, still they were not really different. From the beginning Florence has always been united in one and the same cause against the invaders of the Roman state it has constantly persevered in this policy to the present time.FOREIGN AFFAIRSBut what ought to be praised most in this outstanding Florentine triumph? Their military skill, which enabled them to win; or their high morale, which prompted them to pursue the victorious Pisans; or their generous spirit, which led them to undertake so great a battle on behalf of their friend? I think that the deed ought to be viewed as one and the same deed that is to be praised.LAW AND ORDERAs Florence is admirable in foreign affairs, so it has outstanding civil institutions and laws. Nowhere else do you find such internal order, such neatness, sand such harmonious cooperation. There is proportion in strings of a harp so that when they are tightened, a harmony results from the different tones; nothing could be sweeter or more pleasing to the ear than this. In the same way, this very prudent city is harmonized in all its parts, so there results a single great, harmonious constitution whose harmony pleases both the eyes and minds of men. There is nothing here that is ill proportioned, nothing improper, nothing incongruous, nothing vague; everything occupies its proper place, which is not only clearly defined but also in right relation to all the other elements. Here are outstanding officials, outstanding magistrates, an outstanding judiciary, and outstanding social classes. These parts are so distinct as to serve the supreme power of Florence, just as the Roman tribunes used to serve the empire.Indeed, the magistracies were created to carry out justice; they have been empowered to punish criminals and especially to ensure that there is no one in Florence who stands above the law...A great many decisions, once they have been approved by these magistracies, are referred to the Council of the People and Council of the Commune for final action Florence thinks that what concerns many ought to be denied by the action of the whole citizen-body action according to the law and legal procedure. . . As a result, no one here has ever suffered any harm, and no one has ever had to alienate any property except when he wanted to. The judges, the magistrates are always on duty; the course, even the highest tribunal is open. All classes of men can be brought to the trial; laws are made prudently for the common good, and they are fashioned to help the citizens. There is no place on earth where there is greater justice open equally to everyone. Nowhere else does freedom grow so vigorously, and nowhere else are right and poor alike treated with such equality. Florence not only protects its own citizens in this way, but it extends the same protection to foreigners. No one here, citizen or foreigner, is allowed to suffer harm, and Florence strives to ensure that each is given his due. Moreover, the justice and spirit of equity in Florence promote toleration and humanity among the citizens since no one can be prideful or disparage others while all men experience the same benign rule. What remains to be done? Nothing other than to venerate God on account of His great beneficence and to offer our prayers to God. |
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