New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-27
SCENES AND THOUGHTS IN EUROPE.
WYE LA REPUBLIQUEi
BY AN AMERICAN, GEORGE II. cALvERT.)

WYE LA REPUBLIQUEl
FRANCE, October, 1851.
We have crossed the line that divides
Belgium from France. vive la Republique What
promise, what a hope is in that shout What
achievements it proclaims, what consummltions it
prophesies Not with the outward voice of catch
ing momentary fervor but solemnly from the depths
of a souenkindled feeling be that stirring sound
reuttered. 1t is the rally cry OF Christendom. To
France, all Europe looks with hope with reliance.
She is the center Of the new regenerating move
ment. Regeneratng, not because it substitutes
Presidents for Kings, citizen representatives for
Barons but because it is to break down political
monopoly, to make governors amenable to the
governed, and, far more than this, because by CIV
ing each man VOTE it is to raise each voter to be
man.
Economy, simplicity, suppanting military by civil
process less partially in legislation and adminisra
ton, wiser legislators and administrators, for this,
in the long run, is the result equality before the
law lettering of most public methods-al these are
the minor gains of Republicanism, whose essential
virtue is IN the energizing of the primary elements,
IN the recognition. cultivation, refinement, enlarge
ment Of the substance out of which all forms of poll
cy spring, and upon which they react, viz the
masses of nation the individuals Of its component
multitudes, in Europe brutifed by monarchie and
arisocratic despotism as to have been lately desg
mated by leading Statesman IN. Thers) as Ia
rHe multitude.
Democracy is the diffusion, and at the same time
the nvigoration of light and organic life. IL vital
ICES the remotest parts, though Its generic power
permeates the whole social body. 1t is SUBSTITUTION
of Man for the State of men for things OF SOUS ior
bodies Demanding liberty, il. creates what it needs
10 To he hr
claiming the power of selfgovenment, 1t developes
a broader deeper self. He who believes not in self
government is less than Democrat he who doesis
more. Democracy is progressive and expansive Its
ascendency is the gain of much liberty and the as
surance Of more.
Honor to France! A glory greater than that
dazzling one, whereby she was so long blinded, is
hers the glory due holiness and insight in social
and political transformations. In this sphere more
fruitful will be her courage than in the battlefield,
although on that there may be still some last laures
for her to gather. Napier, in his History OF the
Peninsular War, celebrating the brilliant bravery
of French charge, notes as a characteristic OF
French nature, tina. the first fiery onslaught being
repelled, their line is disheartened They lack
elasticity under defeat Not in that higher field.
With fresh life and spirit they have returned to the
charge under the banner Of Democracy after living
for fifty years in defeat. And again partially worst
ed, after the triumphant onslaught Of ISIS, they ex
hibit determination, forttude, calmness forbear-
snce, that bespeak conviction, matured by thought
and confidence that cannot be broken by discom-
future.
The morning of new eraS is liable to be overcast
but blinded by Ignorance, or fear malignity
they who mistake this tranStory observation for
relapse 10 the past darkness people that has in it
the juices for mature strength may be retarded in
its progress, but not arrested and what seems
forced retardations from without, may be the
natural current of occult growth The political
revolutions Of such people can no more go back
than can the planetary revolution OF the earth
Evolutions they should be called, for they de-
veopments, however crashing may be the inaugu-
rating acts. Democracy or self government hes
potentially athe heart of every people that is, of
every people Of the white races. The time and
manner of its emergence depend on mental consti-
tuition and outward influences In England, where
its spirit strong 1t took possession of the
State under the Commonwealth but it had not yet
the cordial strength TO inpel itself ar.eriay into
all the members and the most capable man whom
il created being by nature despotic instead Of geneT
Gus, regal instead OF Christian, principles were
smothered under usurpationS, that the bastard
monarchy OF cromwell was at his death easily sup
planted by the legitimate monarchy of the Stuarts.
Many too Of the most resolute for freedom had al
ready fed across the sea to the newly discovered
Continent, there on It's virgin shores unbefouled by
the taIes of ogarchical esotism to lay foundations
wherein was TO rise political fabric OF purely
Democratic architecture, whose starry hag unfurled
at the end of the 18th century before the MD
die of the 18th 10 challenge the regards of the world
as that OF pIeponderatng Power among Christian
States. Democracy had, if not its birth, It's first
wide national development In America.
IL France, il can forth blind Samson, and buried
itself beneath the ruins caused by its ragetul grasp
Its movement was that of the loosened hon, whose
courage is made frantic by hunger and fear Men
glared on men Ike unclaimed demons in a faInished
hell. With insane relish they Tapped blood that
was their elixir !or political renovation But all
this was transient, explosive phenomena, the agony
of great peoples hawaii where nature had been
In the OF ST. Bartholomew seventy thousand
FTsrchnen slain two thousand OF thsm in Pans
Dung The two Of the Reign Of Terror from 90 %
"a, two thousand eight hundred and thirty
ecuted IN Pans.