Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-09-01

5-s9 Hl9Ns q ssss & 8is S
maintain national Independence, has beer
uppermost. The signs Of better times arr
here, it must be confessed, few and lar be-
tween.
Italy has been crushed to death for year.
BY the political oppression Of Austria; bu'
here there are many signs Of political re-
demption. Her patriots are in earnest
council and striving for unity OF effort, and
it will need all the concentration they car
command to drive her tyrsnts from hel
classic borders. As the people are igno.
lnorant, passionate, and feel deeply their
wrongs, the judgment they win pass upon
their despots WILDE severe when the reck-
soning Of revolution comes The world
may, sooner than it expects, be startled BY
the deeds of Italian patriotism, for il is
certain that the democratic element is
powerfully at work in the Austrian Prov
inces, and will not stop at the bidding Q,
the hoary absolutism that watches and
breads its approach. In the papai domiE-
ions the Pope is winning golden opinions
by his earnestness, courage, and steadiness
in abolishing ancient wrong, and favoring
institutions that will tend to elevate the
condition of the people.
Germany has long been an enigma among
the nations. She has been ahead of some
Of them in mental freedom and cultivation,
but behind them in the affairs of practical
life; and she has submitted TO a miserable
absolutism in politics. But there is a
change passing over this theorising people.
Her Zollverein has secured for her inter
nal free trade; the rapid extension of rail
road communication will give her mechan-
zeal skill new life, and at length, by per-
severing demands, quasi representative
constitution has been wrung from an OBJ
stinate and pedantic king. The diet re-
Gently convened will afford vent for Ger
man thought, and the turn that commerce
and politics is taking promises to put a
new face on this honest, plodding people.
Russia, under the rule Of her able, tho
absolute emperor, is consolidating her
strength at home, and keeping watchful
eye abroad. Nicholas has taken Poland,
even to the last remnant Of it, into his
hands, and for this deserves and receives
the denunciations Of the friends of free
dom everywhere just as Great Britain
does for her grinding oppression Of Ire
land. And he is now, by terrible APP.
plication Of fire and sword, Of treachery
and retaliation, annexirg Circassia to his
immense domains. But internally, Mich
olas is doing good work. He is liberia
ting the boors (s!aves) ef his dominions,
breaking the power of his naughty mobiles,
developing the resources Of his country,
and encouraging education, science, and
commerce. He keeps sharp watch on
Constantinop!e, and the British intrigues
iii Persia; and the day may not be far dis
tant when the autocrat of the north will
feel like contending with Great Britain in
the field for dominion in the east.
Turkey has made brave and successful
attempts Of late to throw off some of her
ancient and absurd usages. She has now
grand vizier who is applying reform TO
the Ottoman empire in manner, that, a
nan century ago would nave made the We
ny bones Of Mahomet rattle in their grave.
This officer has undertaken to reform the
collection OF the revenuc-to give order
and stability to the nation. One measure
will show his bo!dness he has Just pro-
posed TO enlist ten thousand christian re-
cruits TO serve in the navy, to teach the
mussulman mariners how to maintain the
integrity of their country.
Though in some pow ers, as in Austria,
there may be the complete s,agna,iun of
despotism, yet in other countries, as in
Switzerland and Holland, there are signs
of political life and moral progress. Look
ing at the dark side, there appears as
much political wrong, slavery, as cruel
and bloody wars as ever;yet on the bright
side there are evidences that the demo-
cratic principle is on lis silent, but all
powerful march, urging IFS unceasing de-
mand for the amelioration of legal mjus-
tice, and for progress in TIE things that
adorn humanity.