Washington telegraph., 1851-11-26

The record of political movements III
Europe, at the present TIME. presents
subject Of grave consideration to the re-
aectng mind. Enjoying, rs we do,
perfec, freedom of expression and action,
only by the laws of courtesy,
and the general principles OF human right
we are prepared TO understand and APP
preciate al its true worth, the oppressive
despo,,sm of the imbeclle governments
of the Old World. Europe, at this day.,
offers TO our view the spectacle OF TWO
great parties contending for supremacy
This contest is not noU waged upon the
field of battle. nor is it heralded with
the sound Of trumpets, or attended with
the attractive insignia OF armed batta-
lions marshaling for war. The contest
nevertheless, lacks not in deep interest,
nor in the elements Of fierce strife.-both,
growing out Of the striking character
istics OF the two parties thus engaged.
On one side, are arrayed the accumu-
lated strength and influence of kingly
power,-the weight o. standing aud we'll
disciplined armies,-and all the prestige
that links itself so firmly to throhes built
upon the despotism of ages, and insepa-
rably connected with all ideas of national
glory. On the other. are enlisted the
discontented of all ranks and classes, who
from the various motives Of ambition, or
patriotism, or the mere love of revolution.
desire to effect a speedy and radical
change in the existing systems of govern
ment.
The first terrible blow against the hoary
majesty of the throne. was struck III
France III the year 17o9,-whel all the
restraints OF society. and reason, and
religion, were impiously disregarded. and
men rioteG in the blood Of iteir fellow
men-when
"-through the streaming streets
OF Paris, red-eyed Massacre o'tr wearied,
Reeed heavily, inioxicAte with blood
From that day to the presen., there have
not been wanting men, who, either Ill
secret conclave, or in open assembly, have
dared 20 advocate the cause of human
liberty, and declaim aganst the oppressive
exactions of tyrannical power. We have
lately witnessed in the case of France,
this spirit of revolt in the deposition o
Louis Philippe, and the reestabishmen'
of Republic. One unique ard impor'
tanr feature; however, has marked and
still marks this spirit of French repub!i'
cansm, and is destined, unless speedily
checked, to plunge the country again into
the chaos of anarchy. We allude to the
fact that with that nation, there appears
to prevail mistaken view of the nature
of liberty The cry for liberty has, here
1ofore, degenerated into the demand for
equality. In the first revolution, it was
not enough 10 procure the destruction of
the throne the abolition OF all titles of
nobi,ity,-the utter annihlation 0! all
distinctions of rank;-but they s,rove
with fendish malice to drag down 20
their own degraded level, all who were
their superiors either in wealth. inteili-
gence, or moral worth. The guillotine
was the instrument by which this level
ing process was consummated, and such
monsters as Danton, Marat, and Robes
pierre, the prime movers in the midst of
these terrible orgies. The high-sound-
ing phrase of Liberty-Frate aternity-and
Equality" is even now re-ecboed through
ou: France by thousands who possess no
national idea Of the true nature of liber-
ty,-whose bond of fraternity is brother
hood in crime, and whose views Of
equality involve the abuegation of all re-
straiIts both civil and religious. 1t the
midst, however, of thsse liberty flowing
demonstrations, these shouts for equality,
the course that Louis Napoleon is pursn-
ing is well worthy of observation. He
has certainly exercised an authority
which smacks strongly OF something
besides repub.icanlsm. In the language
of the Paris correspondent Of the London
Morning Herald d,-"Louis Napoleon has
grappled with journalism, he has bound
it with letters of iron. gagged its mouth,
cast i into prison, and cleared ont its
pockets, and the people have applauded
him."
But, Notwithstanding the dark picture
which France presents, let us not forget
that there are in Europe many brave
spirits nobly struggling for the cause.
Hungary has been, tor the moment, crush
ed by the iron hand of despoisrn. but
the blood of her patriots so lavshly, has
not been let US hope, unavaiingly shed.
The time must come when ''the old and
fatal system OF policy which now sus-
tains their crnmbllng thrones will dis