The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-08-09
STATE OF EUROPE.

STATE OF EUROPE.
The very disturbed condition, as well
OF the continent as OF the British isles, is
lar from consOlatoIy to those who had
anticipated permanent settlement of the
various conflicting interests OF the nations
OF the old world. But the passions
which the French revolution developed
are neilher to be allped nor restrained
by the conventional barriers, however
sk'lliully erected, or vigiIanlly guarded,
of the theoretical statesmen. The ruth
IS, that the whole ierment may be ex-
planned by the brief remark. that il arises
from a struggle between the psopLE,
who begin to know their rights and ieel
their power, AMI the monarchs and priv
LEGGED classes, who desire 10 retain their
ancient and hereditary asccudancy, and to
exercise unquestioned sway over mesner
men. Orators, statesmen, and ever DO.
Iiticai writers, still treat OF the indtieasi.
bic rights of kings, and the natural and
necessary privileges, exemplior's, and
1mmunities, of mobiles. as though the
credullty OF man on those subjecIs we're
yet mistaken; and however absurd, as it
must apprar to Us hyrc. they stiIl seem
TO consider certain caSs born iut xis;min.
ion, and the other more numerous cias.
ses for sybjection. This is callsd. ,l,e
natural order ofthings whichit is equaliy
'mpIous and reasonable to oppose, vi
cndeavor to subvert. 1t is ,his fatuity.
this blind and way ayward adhefance to ana
c'ent opinions and prtjudices in ealsrs,
that astonishes and wrpexes us beyond
measure. On this SIDE Of the Atlantic
It would appear to ns about US reasona.
ble to maintain that the sun revolyes
round the earth, Of that the torrid zone
is uninhabitable, or any Other Of the
equally uhtenable propositions o. TIE geo.
graphy OF past ages, as to reason gratt!y
about the rights Of any individual, mon
arch, or noble, TO lord it over oiher men
without their concurrence; and it would
seem to US about as practicable 10 stv
bounds to the ocean, as to arrest the s,ea4
dy and perscyering march Of the human
mind Oh these subjects. The truth is,
ti'e impulse was long since given, and
our own evolution as well as that of
France, though in both instances hasten.
"a perhaps little by the pressure Of i'm.
mediate and intolcrable grievances. was
ne necessary result Of. the progress Of
Intellectual light. ThS progress cannot
'e arrested: obstacles may indeed lie
'ast in the way, and impetliments multi.
'lled, and the career thus rendered diff.
'ult and full Of dangers, which otherwise
would have been plain and harmless.
'ut ultimately the triumph Of knowledge
certain. Men will no longer submit
0 Dc al best the playthings, and too Of.
en- the miserable victims, of hereditary
ppression, They will no longer con.
ent to toll away their lives In poverty
nd suffering, at the bidding, and for the
enefit, Of impetious masters. They
erceive that in all mental acquisitions.'
all bodily accomplishments, they are
quail to these before whom they hay-
cen accustomed to bow and they cana
OF but ask themselves then, by what auA
,ority 1t has been decided that we and
'irs are forever to remain in bondage,
bile others no-~it superior to ourselves
e for ever to receive our homage? and
hen this question becomes hsbitual,
lerc IS an end Of divine right and here.
Itsty sway.
This We conceive to be the prescnt
ondiiion Of Europe. An classes arc
i've to their rights, and intep upon as.
ring them; and it is tsc SYSTEMATIC
nj determined &uannes in which X at,a