The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-09-15
Freedoms Future ~ Europe.

Ifthe last intelligence from Hungary should
prove to be true, says the Pennsylvania, we must
not settle down in this land Of Civilization and
Liberty, and felicitNts Ourselves, that we are so
much better than other nations, oRly because we
are more fortunate and more favored. The con.
trast may well bewilder u.s. We may readily be.
come intoxicated by our own broud position.--
Our majestic Union--,he sweet content that bles-
ses every threshold, and lluminates every hearth.
stone--the calm and placid Freedom that makes
all men equal-sre indeed in favorable contrast
with the state Of things in the old world.
But it is not all night in Europe. Dark and
dreory as the prospect is, there are still some
CLEANS Of sunshine toenliveh US. Less than two
years ago, when the FIRE of Revolution broke out
on the barricades Of Paris, the crowned heads
were strong, confident, and arrogant, in supposed
involablity and power. Since then, what have
they not lost, and to recover what they have re.
gained, how mahy lives have they not sacrificed !!
how many millions have they not lavished -
Is it nothing that France has secured universal
lSclblleeo llbHN OClOle "Hlbh aul-
bilious traitors hide their diminished heads ap.
palled--that inapprecisble blessing which, once
enjoyed, is only yielded with the very life Of
Freedom itself! Is it nothing that Prussia has
had Introduced into her polity the elements Of a
wise and intelligent progtessl Is it nothing that
the Pope returnsto Rome, aided by foreign bay.
onets, and yet only able TO secure "peace" and
"Order" to his dominions by promising to re-.
store to them liberal instluti tions! suppose
Hungary goes back TO A ustria will the latter
dare to oppress people that de6ed Russia and
herself combined, while Power rioted in ito tri.
umphs in mannacled Italy, in Berlin, and in Pa.
ris' Let Va answer these questions to ourselves,
before we give way 10 the belief that Europe is
about to become Cossack. II is the very cant Of
conservatism-the very error Of slarm--the very
panic Of weak minds-->to say so. Never before
have the tyrants Of the world had such difficulty
TO maintain their position, as within the last year
and half, That they have been compelled to
yield many Of their most cherished privileges. in
order to maintain il, is beyond all doubt For
every future struggle, they VIII, 1t is true, set
new guards, and create new resources, but il is
easy to see how the end must be, il every contest
with the masses leaves them more and more ,horn
Of their prerOgatives and their strength. The re.
dempton of the old world may not be so near
as it was yesterday, but it is equally certain to
core. The more liberal governments Of Europe
will not. we are sure, stand by and see future at
rocities like those Of Russia in Hungary. or
France in Rome, without forcible inierpostion.
Thoy were unprepared to act in regard to them
heretofore their suddenness left them hardly
time to act; but their own people will be sure
to force them to do SO hereafter.
Do not then, let us despondngly cry ont, that
"all is lost" Much remains upon which the
cause Of Human Progress may build the strongest
hopes, and upon which he People may avn for
new struggles, and, let ushope, new trlUmphs