Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-02-25
NATIONAL INSTABILITY

Revolutions and changes in Governments h.,
become "the order of the day." Europe for ,to
last two Years, has been full of convuls;c n, s
France, Rome and Hungary have, success;ve,,
been the theatres of revolutions. Almost the ~
IRE continent is marked by the desolaons of IVA,
he grandeur OF Empires is now buried beneath
heaps OF ruins, the power of monarchs has no..
shaken by the excited fury of the restless mn,
tude, and national prosperity has been absorlea
by the evils OF revolution and the horrors Of MY
Yetthe nations Of tht old world have gained moth
ing BY their couImoiion. Every scheme IN.
failed. The effects of the recent revolution. ..s
net vsibly traced upon the nations of Eurono
save in the scenes of devastation and min Fr,ra'
sought the overthrow of her kingdom. and VIII
she may actually have succeeded in ban;sh;n-
her King. she has literally failed. She estahl;sbe'
ed Republic, but the stability of her peonle wa.
not sufficient 10 maintain it, and it is now with
The things of the past. True, she has the namo
but the character of Republic is not hers. Tho
realty oil Republican Government has fled and
ITS shadow on Y rests on the land of France and
1t too Is last fading. From the form of Rennbl-
canism she will pass to that OF an Empire D;s-
satisfaction will ensue and the establishment, If :,
Kingdom will result. The flight of the pope fore.
Swallowed the humiliation Of the Papa system
But the flight OF the Pope was mere matter of
expectancy; he has been enabled by the co-opera.
lon OF France to return to his domains and Rome
IS now, as she has been, governed by the mower
OF the Pope, Hungary has gained nothing, but
lost much She sought to establish her national
'ty, but by the intervention of an uninteres,ed
party, she has been crushed. The CONNEXIONS
OF Europe have resulted solely in the production
OF ag'tations, the subsiding of which has left the
halohs oil the continent unaltered in their Gov
ernmen.s.
sc 1
America. The British colonies of the North and
the Spanish possessions of the Eastern ocean.
groan beneath the weight of political oppression.
Each seeks change in its government Even
the great Republic has been shaken with com.
motion. The fearful cloud of dsnnion hangs in
olackened fury over the great American nation,
In 1t there IS great struggle. But il is strue.
gle unlike the conflicts which have shaken En-.
rope. The nations OF the old world have strno
ged to destroy governments, thus showing their
want OF attachment TO them; while the people of
America seek 10 preserve that, under which they
exist, thus exhibiting their devotion to the nsli.
tutions upon which it is based And the result
OF our struggle will be far different from those of
European nations. They have arrayed them
selves against governments, sought their overthrow
but have signally failed, and thus have they de-
monsirated their weakness. We are attempting
to preserve our liberties, and the "signs of the
times indicate our success. thus will be demon
Straed our strength Did the agitation, which is
spread throughout our country, prevail in other
nations revolutions would long since have ensued.
But our agitation will only afford an opportunity
to exhibit the holiness Of our patriotism. Discon-
tent amongst the inhabitantS of the old world. is
the prelude to revolution; hut our Government is.
endowed with the competency TO hush discon-
tent by hestowlng upon the people that which
they need.
We do not fear dsunion Wisdom and patr
otiSm are seeking a compromise; the conciliatorv
spirit which framed the Constitution. and has
since preserved it, actuates the people and they
will still cling, with devoted attachment. to the
Union.