The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-31
Circulation OF the Herald
Tho French Revolut,on-A New Age.

Tho French Revolution-A New Age.
The French revolution of last month is as
much the beginning of new age and new
era in the history of civilization and the human
race, az the downfall of Paganism and the
spread of Christianity in Europe were ten GEN.
turtles ago, or even the reformation In Germany
commenced by Luther, which spread over the
then civilized world, and convulscd all Europe
for two centuries. This revolution cannot go
backward-it must go forward. 1t is the ninth
wave of human society, and will fix itself on
the shores of time, permanently and durably.
1t has already shaken all Europe like al earth
quake, and has been received in this country, by
the whole American people, with exultation and
JOY. Meetings, professions, and celebrations,
spring up every day, in every part of the country,
in sympathy with the great movement of the
French people. Members of Congress in Wash
ingtop, cannot Withstand the contagon. A great
public meeting has been held there, and some OF
our leading statesmen have thrown off the first
bursts of feeling on the occasion. Resolutions
are introduced, and Congress recognizes and
eslogis the prodiglous impulse given to modern
eoclety by the great events III rarls.
There are some features in this revolution
different from those of any preceding one. We
pally that exhibiting the new aspect in which
the Catholic clergy present themselves before
the republic. This is one of the most important
elements of the recent movement The arch.
bishops OF Lyons and Paris, and probably the
rest of the Catholic hierarchy in France, have
frsternized with the revolution at once-openly
aud notwithstanding the truth ofthe move
ment, the fact OF its triumph, and the cordial
understanding existing between real religious
sentiments and the principles of the Catholic
church, and those of democracy and democratic
government. The archbishop OF Lyons even al
ludes to the unity existing between the political
freedom enjoyed In the United States, and the
pinc pies OF The ancient system OF christianity In
this republic.
This is one of the peculiar and extraordinary
features of the new revolution in France. 1t
combines within itself the seeds of genera
revolution among all the monarchies of Europe,
and the final establishment of republics in the
old world Hitherto the Pops and the clergy OF
Europe, have joined heart and hand with the
princi pies OF monarchy, unfolding monarch cal
institutions aad despo:ic dynastes, in opposition
TO the principles of democracy and the spread of
liberal ideas Until the accession Of The pre- sent
Pope, the consanguinity between the ancient
doctrines of the Catholic church and tie
modern principles Of political reform, or republ-
canisn, was never discovered; in fact, from
that period in European history when the
power of the church united with the power of
the old Roman empire, the church has been gra-
duaIly retreating further and further from the
simplicity Of ancient Christianity, aud from the
principles OF the gospel, as first taught TO the
world. 1t was corruption in the sdmi istration
and doctrines of the Catholic church which
caused the reform in Germany begun By Luther,
and which extended over the half OF Europe by
his cosdutors Of the f.rsnt Protestant sscts
The same corruption, local in character but
similar in quality, brought about the downfall Of
Louis Philippe and his form of government
The discovery has, however, been made by the
present Pope, and many of the clergy, that their
influence and power founded on morality
and religion; that the happiness of the people
and the spread Of freedom, are foster brothers to
religion and the purest forms of Christianity
The position assumed by the French clergy in
the French revolution, and the sentiments
enumerated by them, spring from this new
era-thls novel discovery, which was origi.
mated by Plus the Ninth, and which will
be one of the most powerful elements in revolu-
tionising Italy, Germany, and all Europe. La
MARITIME himself the great master spirit of the
provisional government in France, belongs 10
this school of religious sentiment and republican
principles, combined with democracy and popu.
lar rights and liberty There are, TO be sure, two
or three socialists, as they are called, or those
who support and promulsate the idea of COM
munity of property and new combination OF
labor, connected with the new government
Whether the new religious sentiments an
nounced by the French clergy will come in con-
tact with those novel principles OF socialism, in
the attempt TO reconstruct society and new GO
vernment IN France, may perhaps create some
fear and some alarm in the minds of pbilosophi.
cal observers, at a distance Such fears have
been expressed in the English ne wspspers-fears
encouraged AID edged on by the further slarm of
a financial crisis, causing arrangement of pri.
vate a1s rs and general business, with all it's
train OF bankruptcy, disorder, wat of work,
hunger and riot.
With the experience before us in the United
States, during the last twenty-five years, where
all such extreme principles and notions have