PREFACE 



The term "Commonwealth" was first apphed to a 

 community of free people in the Massachusetts records 

 of 1634, reaffirmed in the code of 1660, which was reprinted 

 in the year 1889. 



Massachusetts began her career as a Trading Company; 

 but in 1634, her political status was changed, mark you, 

 not into a colony, nor into a province, but into a Com- 

 monwealth. The Governor's Council was called the 

 Council of the Commonwealth. Then it was, in 1634, 

 that Massachusetts became a self-governing Common- 

 wealth. No mention was made of the King, nor of the 

 Acts of Parliament, much less of the acts of the Bishops. 



The Massachusetts code of 1660 does not recognize 

 any foreign authority; it is purely democratic. 



We believe that the hour in human history has struck 

 when despotism is doomed. 



Now right makes might and a world Commonwealth 

 will ensure international Brotherhood. 



We believe that no enlightened people will longer sub- 

 mit to Autocratic power, but that they will rule them- 

 selves with Justice, Equity, and Wisdom. 



Most fortunate will it be if this generation profits by 

 the past, and the nations come to recognize that the good 

 of all is the acme of human progress, prosperity, and peace; 

 and that the consummation of the world's commonweal 

 will bring concord to the nations. 



LUCIAN J. FOSDICK, 



Boston, U. S. A. 



