Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-11-30
Spirit Of Reform in Europe.

Rev. w. >. Balch, of New York, now on
a tour through Europe, writes thus from Rome
to The Tribune -
There 10 radical defect in the attempted Re-
forms here in Europe. Everything is done on
purely selfish scale. One nation seems TO
have no respect for the rights Of another
The same Germans who could fight at home
against Monarchy, could only obey Monarch s
orders for ,eages, and march into Italy to fight
against those struggling for Freedom. So al
SO the people Of Naples, so boisterous about
Liberty, can 60 and fight the Sicilians who are
virtually free, and are, by nature, maniiestly
designed 20 be SO. The fact is, too much Of
the Revolutionary spirit all over Europe is
more the result of starvation, of personal suf-
iering than Of increasing knowledge of human
rights or respect for liberal institutions. They
feel the keenness of suffering they see Kings
and Courtlers in afluence and spendor and
they think If they can get up revolution
blessings must come to them; hoW, they never
ask. There is, fear no principh-no fear OF
God and love Of humanlty-no lofty and noble
aspirations-no acknowledgment of the great
doctrine Of Equal Rights, and burning desire
for universal happiness and good order. We
in America sadly mistake this whole matter
by supposng the people Of these countries to
be like our ancestors, or like ourselves, ac-
qualntcd with the great doctrines Of Human
Righis--when the fact is nine-tenths of the
actors are moved by mere personal consldera-
tions-I had almost said animal instincts. OF
course, many in France and Germany are to
be excepted. speak Of the masses. They
want somcthing-to be relieved of their suffer
ings-to have something to eat and drink-to
be comfortable. Beyond that, and some indis-
tinct notions Of glory fitting across their brains,
they care little for Kings and less for Repub-
canism.
The difficulty is the want Of harmony be-
tween those who do knOw and those who are
to pork and suffer. The former are judged
Conservatives, tardy, faithless, because they
do not accomplish all at onoe, and give com
pete relief in day. The latter are thought
rash, because they clamor still, and will not
be content with what is done for them. And,
too, the distinctions, as have said in former
letters, are too great TO be oblllerated at once.
France will stand. 1t has more Of the egdhtc
and Jraternue. Germany may survive civil
war, which fear will come and be of long du-
ration and then learn what real freedom is
! The relics Of old Feudallsm still must all be
uprooted. Another reformation will pave the
way to liberal institutions.
| A HOUSE WARMIso.-P. T. Barnum, pro.
prietor of the American Museum in n. York,
who has accumulated an immense fortune
within few years past, has just completed a
splendid villa or country seat, at Bridgeport,
CT, which he calls lranistaD. 1t is SAID TO
have cost, with its furnishing, $50, 900. On
| Tuesday night last, the elegant and gorgeous
! ly furnished apartments, about fifty in num-
ber, were thrown open for public entertain
mcnt, which was attended by over one thou
sand of the principal people of Bridgeport, and
1 by gentlemen from New York, Boston, and
Philadelphia. The expense of the feast was
I S270O. Two bands of music from New York,
were present. A splendid supper was served
at clock, and dancing was kept up until
ll3. In one Of the rooms was splendid ser
vice of gold plate, purchased by Mr.. b. flou
the effects of Russian Prince and in anoth-
or was service of silver and Sevres ware.
Springfield Republican,