The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-26

nave, III uc icDpcIuvc OOldy put themselves
at the head of the revolutionary movement The
version Of his Majesty Of Prussia these revolutionary
ideas has beep somewhat sudden for as late January
last, in calling together the Diet of his kingdom, he
was careful to proclaim that he could permit
Vrittsa constitution TO be interposed between him
and his subjects. We have fewer details as to the
movement OF the King of Sardinia; but it ap
pears probable that his attempt is quite much to
free Italy from the Austrian yoke, to establish civil
freedom among his subjects Yet both of these monarchs
entitled the praise of having dscened the spirit of
their times ere il late, and of having, to all APP
pearance least sought in sincerity operate with
it. Upon the other European sovereigns, with the
cepon of the Pope, the revolutionary movement seems
have been forced whatever they have conceded to the
people, has been extored from them.
The intelligence by the Acadia has probably put beyond
question the fact that in the progress of events, are
destined the great struggle between liberty and des
posm waged by revou onized Europe on the side,
and the Empire of Russia on the other. "Uness stray
bullet" says the London Telegraph, "or the weapon OF
some fanatic of liberty the hand of overrung Provi-
dence shall remove the Emperor Nicholas from the
and prepare the way for revolution in Russia the prospect
of fierce and devastating one OF the most fearful
that has befallen humanity, is before The mme
date cost of this struggle must be great blood
and in the happiness of this generation But the issue al
though it may be protracted, will not be doubtful Rus
STA may support Austria retain her crumbng power
and these two may make head for while; but, Poland
resusctated Italy made free, Germany united, France
revoutionized and Great Britain, by the will of her peo
ple ranged in support Of freedom and the ideas of
Europe must all act together What chance will despot
ism have against an array like this None A long
peace followed the last war peace durable must
follow the next The new settlement of Europe must be
founded upon true, upon false prncipesupon the
interests of the people, upon the systems OF kings
And if despotism will fight in the meantime despotism,
most assuredly will fare badly in the battle. and
or later be driven from Europe, take refuge in more
congenia Asia
We shall endeavor to present our readers such
ments Of the English and continental press upon these
great events, appear to us most worthy OF attention
We find the following paragraphs in the leading article
of the London Morning Chronicle of March goth. Our
readers will observe in them tone very unusual in the
British press towards country and institutions:
No doubt it is good and valid argument, far it
goes against despom, tn appears be, in its nature,
and to carry seeds of its decay
the civilized world to have outgrown gradually
have been unconscious of its progress till, at
touch from without the mask falls off, and the whole
eeantry Of arbitrary power, vanishing like the baseess
fabric of a vision, leaves not wreck behind Strength
and stability essential points to be considered in deci-
ding the respective merits Of different forms of
ment and it is useless prove, paper that certain
constitution is the best it, matter of fact we find that
cannot stand alone, when attempt realize it. Just
now fact that if the american people posed ton
ro from the Rio Grande to the ST. La,crenc single
individual coud voe precsey the form Of government
chch he posss undoubtedly strong argument in
| favor of that government.
"Droppng therefore, for the present, the question be-
popular and arbitrary principles of government,
which will not be stirred at least for time come,
wish to draw attention to another great principle which
think likely be brought prominently forward, and to
great nauence-a principle the exempifcation
of which, the fullest extent also to the Ameri-
the principle of federalism. The most inn
portant improvement in the practice of modern constu
onal countries compared with ancient is the introduce
ton of the system of representation In the Athenian
ccsia and in the Roman cona, the people dellbeated,
discussed and voted the upon each separate ques-
ton of policy.
''The idea of eecng from time time, plenipotentiary
delegates do their political business, never occurre
them. II is needless point out the extreme nco aveni
ence of the ancient plan, and the incacnabe extent tt
which the transaction of public affairs has been facilitated
by its abolition But it would seem that the idea which
representation embodes has yet been but partially ant
nadequaely carried in Earope, and that ,cc mus
look for esetual and consistent Development to til
United States. We conceive that IDEA to be the union
individual participation in power with an effective comb
nation of Individual powers for purposes mod
technical phraseology, Legislative centralizat will
ad mnistrative ocalsm.
"There is at this evident endency all owe
Europe in two directions apparently opposeto local sell
government and to national unity In 1885, rtan line
drawn upon the map, according which s. ates wer
carved out of the continent without reerenc
to language, habits race, feelings anpathes, or any O
those influences which constitute real nations ity TIL
consequence was that the desire for ndepend
ence in the provinces thus subjected to foreign domn
ion hand in hand with the wish for popular insu
tons they became convinced that they could not hav
the without the other; they have long struggled 70
both, and length they appear tho of winnn.
them. But these provinces have in almost every case
national unes OF their own, which, when rid of thu
crude and Procrusean arrangement of 1876 they begin
ming naturally to look supports to their born indie
pendence, and rallyngpoins for their awakened patriot
ism. Thus Italy is gathering under and banne
her estranged and provinciazed chiden scattered
and dsunited States Of Germany craving earnestly 6
union Poland is untng Switzerland is uniting; it will
not perhaps, be long before a Pansclavonic nation
in the of Europe Yet none of these prov
their affairs, in order safety and dignity
of greater fatherand The question: then for them
consider is, whether, by adoption of the principle
federalism, their wants may be supplied and their ten
denotes. satisfied.
'Let them observe the working of federalism in America
The complete national unity there preserved as re-
CARDS foreign nations complete freedom trade complete
uniformity OF action in all respects essential national life
while the me the inestimabe habit of
created and retained and the power of adapting
loo institutions exercised so fully thar mn