The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-31 00:00:00

THE NEW LEADER OF EUROPE.

Whatever immediate results the great struggle in
Europe moy have, whether France shall make a despe-
rate effort and throw back the invaders, or Napoleon be
hurled from his throne and a Provisional Government
erected, or Prussia be induced to make peace, holding
the old Alsatian provinces as security for indemnification
of the war expenses—whether these or still more marvellous
effects follow this brilliant campaign of the German forces

—one event shines forth clear in the dim future, crowded
as it will be with grand achievements and the changing
destinies of empires. It is that from this, the momentous
year for many decades, and perhaps centuries to come, a
new Great Power leads European civilisation. Th
leadership of Europe has been held in succession, or ha
been shared, by many of its chief nations, In the time
of Henry VII. and Elizabeth, the I oiling
Power of the civilised world was un,u EtiGnably
Spain, or the Germanic Empire of Willa t wa'
the head. For a period succeeding, huland held
the van of commercial progress, and controlled the ocean,
followed by England. But the struggle for the Continen-
tal leadership lay in general between Germany, always
broken and at war with itself, and France, which made
up for inferior numbers and power by' the martial
qualities of its 'people. This struggle continued with
varying fortunes for centuries, Teutonic firmness,
for the most part, repelling and quenching French
ardour. The same battle-grounds which appear in this
war have been stained, century after century, with
German and French blood, and have been made glorious
by the heroism and generalship of the great commanders
of both races. Through all these years of contest, however,
it can never be said that Germany, as a unit, was pitted
against France. At length the democratic uprising
of France, guided by the genius of the greatest
military commander of modern times, gave that country
the victory in the century long struggle, and put Ger-
many under feet. France was now at the head of
Europe. After Napoleon's fall, England may be said for
a certain period to have been the controlling Euro-
pean Power, until the vast population of Russia
and the increasing respect for her military
force, placed her at length in the front rank

of the Great Powers. During the last fifty years,
however, England has gradually sunk from her position ;
_ _

the Crimean war, and her internal difficulties, have dis-

placed Russia ; and, until the victory of Sadowa, the
increasing wealth and power of France, with her central
position, and the audacity of her military chiefs, had
given her the pre-eminence in Europe. During the six-
teen years before 1866, France was unquestionably

the leading Power of the civilised world. Aud,
however we may admire French genius and
capacity for organisation, all must admit that the
great influence of this brilliant people were thrown on
the side of the worst evils of civilisation—of standing
armies, of fettered presses, personal government, and
Ceasarism, as the best form of political administration.
Wherever France should control, whether in Italy,

or Algiers, or Mexico, or Spain, there Iv, -11U1

prevail "Napoleonic ideas," government by ol) for
the sake of one, military glory, a universal su:::.tge.

of the ignorant supporting v a military, chief, and all
the oppression of free thought by an Imperialist
rule. Her leadership in Europe has been a hind.:a,nce to
true progress and civilisation. The victory of Sadowa
shewed a new and formidable rival arising into supre-
macy. Since 1812-14 Germany had hardly been "mown
as a Power on the Continent. For a brief period then

the great German masses seemed to unite, and, despite• all
divisions of government and religion, to hurl them-
selves as one Power on the invaders. The

fruits of this great popular uprising, instead
of cementing union, seemed only tir— increase
separation and strengthen despotism in the fatherland.
Through all succeeding changes the one cry and passion
of the German people has been'for " unity." But even
revolution did not give them that, and it was reserved for
an abitrary statesman and an absolute sovereign to win

for Germany: what her people could not gain, a popular
unity. The natural results of the brilliant campaign of
1866 were to sweep away all the petty barriers of govern-
ment and ceremonial which had so long separated
German communities, and to make Germany, from the
Baltic to the Maine, one nation, and the rival of France
in European leadership. The campaign of 1870 will do
more. It welds Germany into one compact mass from
the North Sea to the Bavarian Alps, and places this
vast community at the head of European civilization.
No such grand and momentous event has

happened since the overthrow of France i
1814. A Teutonic instead of a Latin race
leads Europe, and nationalism in place of Carisna; par-
liamentary institutions instead of personal government,

peaceful development under constitutional forms, rather
than military glory and Imperial rule, will now be the
models presented to the world. Teutonic seriousness,
Teutonic love of liberty in Church and State, and
the Teuton's disposition for peace (unless he
feels his rights trampled on), will be the
qualities of the ruling race. The Latin races have
done their part—and not always an inglorious
one—in the world's history. Now more earnest and moral
and free races must guide the helm of progress. Protes-
tantism and Parliamentary Government must lead Euro-
pean advancement. By a marked coincidence, the Pope
ceases from his temporal power with the fallof Cmsarism•
A new European era opens with a vast Germanic State--
controlled by Parliaments and without standing armies
marching at the head of civilization and progress.— New
York Times.

The Gloucestershire movement in aid of the sick
and wounded is being vigorously urged by the Countess
of Ducie, who is obtaining liberal contributions in monei
and,material, and has opened a special subscription for
the purchase of surgical instruments and drugs. The
Midland Railway Company has undertaken to transmit
all packages addressed to her in the movement free of
charge. The Bishop preached in behalf of the movement
in the Cathedral on Sunday, and the city authorities are
11 ( matter.