The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-21
The Great Struggle In Europe.

is of a transition character, at highly interest
ing and exceedingly important. To the mind Of
the political philosophers presents the single aspect
of terrible struggle between two mighty forces
the principles of popular democracry as established
to certain extent already in France, and extend
ing its influence from that great centre of the east
ern continent-and the principles of military des-
potism and Of positive government combined in the
yet lingering elements Of feudal times These lat
ter principles hang the very verge of the crater
whose eruption may scorch them to cinders, while
they who maintain the tenets of a monarchica
policy hope to put out the boiling, seethng fire
raging under their feet yet it will be in vain for
any moral or physical force that may be concen-
rated for such purpose, to engage in such enter
prise The hirelng soldier of the present day has
a heart and head as well as cartridge box and
musket. Hewill exercise the light of thinking, as
well cabinets and kings.
In this picture Of the two forces in European
ciety, which are opposed to each other-this demo
cratic instinct and this monarchical instinct-the
British people and government assume a neutral
TINT which becomes kind Of dcbatable subject for
political connoisseurs, and which may blend with
the democratic or with the monarchical character,
which will be eventually worked out by the circum-
stances coloring the whole. France and her next
election are the grea. problems, the solution of
which will have vast effect on monarchical Eu-
rope. the French republic with all the influences
exerted within and without to make her take step
backward, can only retain portion Of her original
yigor, and exhibit ii conclusively in the coming
election, assuredly death-kncll will be given TO
oppressive and exigent monarchies from the Allan
tic to the gates Of Moscow, and from the Medter-
ranean to the North Cape. Austria, Prussia, Rus
sia, Spain, Italy, and the minor kingdoms Of Eu.
rope, watching with eager gaze the great strug
gle now going on between the living bone and
sinew Of democracy with the fossil remains Of mo-
narchy in France. The hopes Of the powers awaiting
the result the frontiers Of France, unusually
excited by the factions a. work in the capital and in
tie provinces; but thu ,sy struggle itself, and the
fact that there i tev icy TO the multiplication Of
these factions, furnish The best safeguards for the
perpetuity Of the republic. in spite Of the secret
Vaccinations Of those the frontiers Of France
and Of the intEgues Of the political cabals of Paris
We have every confidence that the popular prin-
ciples Of republcanism sufficiently conservative
to avoid the most dexterous coup ddat invented to
create collision, and that those devoted to the re-
public, without disorder, without any signs Of an
tmcae, viii be able steadily to pursue their course
in elcctng new President and new Assembly,
however shocked and chagrined may be the mo-
narehieal powers who now watching with anxiety
every step towards this end
The destiny Of Europe and the character OF its
future history will depend the result Of this next
election in France. II the French republic should
triumph even only in a modified form, the people
throughout the eastern continent viii be the virtual
rulers everywhere, and the trainers Of all law, or
within five years W. may expect terrible conflict
between the OLD remains Of monarchical and feudal
times, and the general aspirations Of mankind for
wiser, better and more equal government. The
election in France will be the key note TO a uniyer-
al hymn q liberty; II France should fail in
clecting a symbol of republcanism, that failure
viii be the keynote 70 general dirge over the
hopes Of the whole heart Of Europe. However, We
entertain no belief that any hereditary or imperial
factions can regain the fyothold their ancestors
have lost. A. Tor coalition II natural enemies,
Whit need " say moro than that Il Il mpracticabe
a. wei - Unreasonable OBc thing il ccrtain-thnt
amidst al these conflicts. Il "a evident that all
casscs of republicans, from the moderate % tho ex-
IRENE. ere acquiring every day, momentum and
force ~ tttal Of good government. The example
q the United states il not loss upon thorn. On
The contrary. the system which We have adopted
ouly proves better and better Il passes the ordeal
u sevcfer and trial.; and the history that
We TrCscnt only gives encouragement 70 tho true.
hearted republicans If Ffa7ce, while IL hls tho
supporter II military dcspotism, from The crown Of
tho head @ the solcof the foot. with dread, appre
heIsion q defeat, and terror.