Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-08-27
BLACKBOARD, TOwNLEY Il CO.,
PRoPE1EToRs.
EYNCIHUKG, AUGUST ~, 1919.
EUROPE.


the various members Of the Union paying their as
sseSed quotas with about much punctuality as
our States used to do under the old articles of
confederation. In fact, the Central Government
is virtually extinct. This has been mainly brought
about by the jealousies existing between Austria
and Prussia. We confess our disappointment.
Always distrnstiul of the capacity OF the French
for the enjoyment of rational and constitutional
freedom, we did entertain lively hopes, that the
Germans from better training, might be able to
establish form of government analogous 10 our
own, by which individual liberty might be secured
and the influence of people, outnumbering the
population of France, be brought to bear upon
the cause of popular rights in Europe. The first
stages were marked by a prudence and modera-
ton which presaged the most favorable results
But the experiment has failed. There is of
course, some danger Of reaction. But we hope
the petty German Sovereigns will take lessons from
the past, and not attempt TO stille all efforts at
reform. Their true policy would be to avert the
necessity of revolution, by correcting admlnlSra-
tive abuses aud mellorating the institutions OF
their respective countries.
In the meantime, a new idea of union is broach-
ed. which seems to be attended with fewer diff
culties than that of including all Germany under
one Federal Government. 1t is now proposed
to form two distinct but traernal Unions. The
Northern of which Prussia would he the head to
include Saxony, Hanover, Wurtemburg and the
smaller Protestant States. The Southern, with
Austria at its head, to be composed of Bavaria and
the Catholic States. The division, 10 territory
and people, wo, not be very unequal,and each
would constitute a State second, in population
and strength, only to Russia and France among the
nations of Europe. There are several consider
atoms which might be adduced in favor of this ar
rangement. The jealousy of Austria and Prus-
STA was as we have said one of the main causes
which led to the failure OF binding all the States
of Germany up in one grand nationality. The
proposed arrangement would obviate this difficult
ty. The Northern States are already, pretty gen.
orally, members of the ZoH cerejn, or customs
league, by which interior cuslom-houses dis
pensed with, and each State receives proportion
of the revenue levied upon commerce. This, OF
itself must exert powerful influence 10 favor of
the scheme. Then we must not overlook the de-
narration of religious sentiment. The Northern
Union would be composed OF States in which Pro-
tesants greatly nae-Whilst in the South
ern the Catholics are greatly the most numerous.
Two Unions thus formed would have no difficult
ty in entering into friendly alliance, which
would constitute them virtually, as to all other
nations, but one people. We hope the project
may be carried into effect. We should enter
tain, for various reasons, greater hopes OF the sue
cess OF popular government in the Northern u
mon. But even Austria, might, by example, be
led to enter upon the career of progress At any
rate ii is better that play should be q ven to cleo
tive affinity and the numerous States of Germa-
ny be permitted according to Their tastes and in
terestS to cluster around one or the other of the
two great powers, than that all should be en-
braced IN one incongruous fellowship.
And France-the so called Republic of France
what shall we say of her, Affairs are rapidly
approaching crisis The prolonged existence
q ~ RpDublic of Ia bp a mr.
ed question. Its speedy extinction is generally
conceded. People differ in opinion and wishes
as to the intermediate steps, but all agree that
return to monarchy, in some shape, is inevitable.
Louis Napoleon does not affect TO conceal his am
bilious designs lie aims to tread in the footsteps
OF bis "illustrious predecessor" He has not his
uncle's genius no gores of an Italian or Egyp
tan campaign encircle his brow-yet circum-
stances are far more favorable to his seizing the
Government than those under which Napoleon
was declared Consul for life. There will never
be another election COR President in France, 1t
required little political sagaciy to foresee this, the
moment 1t was aScertaned that universal suffrage,
with astounding unanmty, had elevated to the
Chief Maglstracy man whose only conceivable
claim rested in his name apd relationship TO Ma
poleon. The vote he received was, in fact
popular declaration for the principle of hereditary
right tits confessedly difficult to foretell the
|
the next six months. But the debates in the
French Assembly, upon the question of taking a
recess and investing the President, during that
period, with extraordinary powers, indicate that
from no intrigue but in obedience to the popular
wlll-early measures will be taken to alter the
clause of the constitution which limits the PreSi.
dents term of service TO four years. with ineligi-
olllty for like space of time. approximations are
ielt that nrIgues will spring up forthwith for the
succession, and that society will be kept in state
OF excitement incompatible with ,he public good,
from the commencement of the canvass to the
election. To avoid this, the first step will be to
declare Louis Napoleon President for life, or for
ten or fifteen years. This done, it would be an
easy matter TO set aside formally, as in practice
has already been done, all the clauses of the con-
Suluon distributing power and limiting that OF
the Executive. The transition to Monarchy
would be easy and indeed inevitable. great
man might care little as to the title which he
wore, so that he possessed the whole of the au-
thority of the State-but Louis Napoleon longs
Tor the title OF Emperor and the Empire will be
the form OF Monarchy adopted. The Legitimists,
OF both wings, have, heretofore, viewed with
complacency the tendency of affairs to bring about
the overthrow of the Republic. They wish
Monarchy restored, even in the person of Louis
Napoleon Undertaking, perhaps his strength, the Y
believe 1T would be an easy task, when the ma
ton has deciSivey pronounced in favor of Mon
arChy, to substitute a Bourbon for a Ronanar,e