The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-15
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE Is, 1901.


did that which appeared in last Sundays edition oil
this paper, having called attention 10 that interesting
theatre OF the affairs OF Europe which we were per
mtted by the favor OF the government TO study The con
nexon OF our own national interests with those OF that
distant region, induces us 10 devote hour to the gene
raj Impressions suggested BY the subject In doing
SO, we hope to say nothing which wound the pride
OF any class OF citizens in happy land; and il any
thing escaped US when referring to this subject BEFORE
susceptible OF such construction, and particularly
when adyeItng 10 the causes out OF which originated
the Struggle for religious freedom two hundred years
ago, we can say most conscenlously that no such
intention entered brain. We regard the free
dom and equality OF the church OF this country one OF
the most nestimabe of blessings, and attempt TO
disturb il less sacriegous than would be direct
attack upon the freedom Of suffrage In former article
intended by rapid glance at The dsappointmensfe
by those who had taken part in the recent agilatons Of
Germany 10 show that they did justify state OF des
pondency as to The general and ultimate progress of tie
representative principles and we founded our hope mainly
on the character OF the German mind and the onward
progress of Prussia. which, by it's position and historic
struggles seems destined to concentrate the force and
extend the qualities Of that mind to the east as England
has to the west Of the German But in order that
our readers may the better understand the grounds
which the justice OF this hope rests, il is perhaps proper
to give them particular reference TO the general
features Of the progress OF Prussia separate nation,
and Of the leading in the struggle which still agi
tates her.
The history Of Prussia is short but interesting, and its
rise snguary rapid from insignificant marqusae to a
powerful absolusm. lis vicissudes have been almost
as striking as those OF Arabian tale or dssolvng
view Two hundred years ago, we find her suing to Po-
land for the acknowledgment of her independence-Po-
land which, under Sobiesky, instead of the victim, was
The champion and savior OF Europe-while in 1856
Frederick the Great had doubled her territory, and estab
shed throne which few years afterwards the iron
heel OF Napoleon tramped into the dust When the fab
rio OF empire erected by tina, conqueer had, like an I'M
substantial pageant, faded" Prussia during her thirty
years repose lowered again higher than eveRwith an
army whose fidelity discipline. and organization were
the wonder of the world Yet in night her govern
ment was overlhrown, and constitutional system es-
,abshed on the broadcast democratic principles Peas
ants who could neither read write sat in her egsa
tive hall; royal carriage, lveried servant, was
not seen in the Streets nor soldier allowed within the
walls of her metropolis The honest burgher paced eide
BY side with the wealthy nobeman sentinels in the
public places and if royal minister hesiiaed 10 acqu
esce in any public caprice, body Of 10000 or 10000
day laborers marched 10 his hotel and insnualed III.
propriey of changing his During the lombard
men, of Vienna the national assembly of Berlin
rounded by crowds who demanded that army should BE-
sent The ex morning against the Austrian Emperor, on
pain OF burning the building and hanging the ministers
Then the suddenly changed again. and the prnc
pal street of Berlinthe Lindenwas not broad enough
to contain the twenty twenty-five thousand troops
who sternly but quietly marched through the Branden
burg gale-a gering of helmets bayonets, breast
plates and drawn swords, which Gen. Wrange, the
mander Chief in speech TO the people. delivered
sodier like from his saddle declared had been sharpen
ed to cut hair" Then the state of siege, martial
law, the dissolution of the assembly by violence the
disarmng of the national militia. the resumption OF power
by the old party, and the complete reaction.
History will record the honor of Prussia that this
meiamorphoss took place without drop OF blood. The
plan had been broadly formed and executed with
imposing display OF military force. which rendered resist
ance out of the question: and Gen range TO the firm.
of dictator adding the tao, Of sensible and the
imperturbabe courtesy and even humor of good ma
tured man, did his ministerng gently that the people
while they protested. could not help laughing And
Prussia passed into phase Is she TO remain there
stationary the of the present century, IL there to be
another terrible revolution in Europe. bringing back
disorganza,on OF society like that wrought by the luna
tics Robesperc and Maa,' Intelligent observers on
this point form opposite opinions II the reactona y
governments, now that they possess ample power are
moderate in their resentment, and manifest disposition
undertake themselves the necessary reforms which
Europe needs and pM hare, they may perhaps avoid
great evils.
Certainly violent revolution is not now desired by
the masses The tempest which lays the pal
in ruins sweeps away the peasants hut and
his harvest. 1t is associated with violent socia
changes and dangerous experiments the prosratior
Of trade and heavier taxes 1t is also les,
in Europe associated with inhdety; and, although
there people, high and low, ready TO exclam, with
French demagosue, "TaIk to me no more Of Jesus
Christ and the Bourbons, yet Christianity exists
will always exist and exercise its divine influence owe
the European mind is the silent hope and 10,
Of millions, in all ranks and conditions Its light add
to the palace, and sheds peace within the walls Of TIL
cottage and blind indeed. be king and people VIII,
fancy any form Of government be prosperous an,
permanent where nation well n rulers not in
spred by its faith and do not act upon ,s principles Tn
sceptres Of Robert Blum and Radeizky, Louis Blanc O
Napoleon, the Count Chambord would without b
but various instruments Of anarchy and misery Revoln
lion conquer and prosper only when made necessary
by oppression srd when, and in that which
veliovod Ep0Isad from Iauas m ~ ham in hsn