New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-20
rrR,,crof.,s Lecture.

To operate with power among some OF the nations
of Europe-though hndered in its developement
b, the abuses and corruptions in which it was en-
veloped. He introduced it BY reference to an in
cident in American History. In l754, ne said,
small regiment found themselves beyond the Ale
ghanies In the Great Meadow. Washington had
| managed to throw up good entertainments, and
had prepared what he called charming field for
an encounter. small party seat out to recoa-
noi,re returned without 6ndiag any enemy. BY the
rules of the wilderness, party that hides and
skalks is a hostile party; and at night the army
became alarmed and remained under arms from 2
o'clock till sunrise. Next morning it waa
nounced that about FIVE miles of the trail of the
French had been seen and al 9 o'clock e1.
press came in declaring that the French were
close at hand. Through storm of rain and
dark nigh, as can be conceived, Washington
with 10 men, marching in single column and in
silence, discovered their Judgement, surrounded
and surprised them. The French sprung to their
feet and seized their arms. Fire said Wash
ington, using his own muSket as ne gave the word
and that command kindled the world into flames.
1t was the signal Of the first great war of Revolu-
tion. There in the Western forest began the con-
test which Inflicted on the establishments of the
middle age fatal wounds through all the continent
of Europe After brief action of a quarter Of
an hour, Washington achieved the victory, ten OF
the French, including the commander, being
killed, and 81 made prisoners.
When the tidings crossed the Atlantic, and the
aame Of WASHINGTON was for the first time heard in
the gallons VI Paris it was pronounced by the par
tizans Of Catholicism with the deepest excavations
1t foreboded to them the loss of Continent, and
struck terror to the hearts of the Aatterers Of Louis
XV,-,he panders of royal lust. What ssprant
then, to the faver of the King would have changed
places with the despsed, the hated, the calamn-
a,ed Washington AT the very moment when the
Freach weeping over the tomb of their Com
nandsr, who had fallen was born the man who
was one day to stretch out his hands for the relief
Of America, to aid the triumph Of American Free
om How did futurity then brood over duties and
nonors for the youthful w Warrington and how many
hopes clustered around the cradle of the infant
Louis
The war which we call the French war, which
IN the Continent of Europe is called the Seven
Years War-was then begun in America, on the
self here; it was then to be seen what America
would do for Freedom, for Humanity, for Equal
ty The way for it was prepared by the last war
If Professionalism which, as European question,
mad been intercaated ia the progress of American
Liberty. The American question was whether
The Continent should continue to be colonzed under
The auspices of Protestant Eng land with its COM
oarative freedom of mind, or under the influence
IF absolute monarchy and Catholic France The
var of Protes: antisrn against the Catholic power,
which followed, one in which was illustrated
more than ever before that moral power which
aways controls events and guides revolutions. In
The previous war Of '48 principles had been lost
sight of and therefore it was sterile of results
rhe Seven Years War war of parties-ot
Reform against Establishments, and IT was preg-
lant in results. England then sought an alliance
with despotic Russia, and strove to induce the
voters of Austria to elect Joseph the Second, hing
IF the Romans. Austria sough an alliance with
France and all Europe stood upon the eve of rev.
Tuition. Under such consciousness that the Mid
lie Age with all its abuses was approaching Its end
did the despotc powers come together-feelinS
,ure ,ha, the dissolution of Legitimacy and Chaleh
Authority was close at hand. For the first time
since the Reformation the three CREST Catholic
powers Austria, Spain and France, who had a.
WAYS been at variance banded themselves together
70 arrest the progress of free inquiry. In vain
they led superior numbers TO the field The heroic
:hivalry of the middle age had lost its strength
In vain vast arrne. crowded the field over plum
dered towns and pillsged citiesfor no God OF bat
| lies breathed his spirit into their hosts. wide
spread sus pcion of nsincerity ruined the influence
Of the priest-craft; and Catholicism looked tor
defea, in its struggle against innovation From
! tho pulpits OF Paris were uttered signs over the
forms Of Christianity and for the last time the ar
mics of the Catholic world were arrayed against
| the Protestants.
The Protestants had already waged successful
| war against the authority Of the Church of Rome,
| but now the ANALYSIS was made OF all existing in
| situations By Luther and Calvin the authority of
he Bible against the Pope and Prelates had been
established and now the appeal was to be made
to reason alone. The spir, of doubt was dtfiused
throughout Europe. Old institutions were doomed
20 fall before gigantic Skepticism. But skep,cism
was no result in which humanity could repose.-
Philosophy had declared for Humanity what Cal
vim had for the Elect, its tendency to perfection.
But skep,icism differed as widely from Freedom
| as from creative power; and though the peace
of 1868 placed the right of private judgement be-
yoad danger of being imPusned, no one In Europe
had yet applied the priRcip'e to the affairs OF ma
tions and that all national authority must rest
on the will of the governed.
In the Northern Protestant Moaarchies there
sprung up disposition for free inquiry. Prussia
he disciple of Luther, the child of the Reforma-
non and essentially pebeian-ofered home TO
vol,are and an asylum to Rousseau. She inspired
Leasing to be apostle of free inquiry and to open
me widest views with regard TO the education of
the race. She gave up her youth to be taught phi
losophy BY Emanuel Kant, philosopher, in power
of anslysis land universally, inferior
since the days of Arist-tle Germany and all Eu-
rope hailed tho peace of 1863 as victory of Free