The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-07-10
Republication In Europe.

A superficial observer would decide that
republicanism was just now making no pro-
gress in the old world, bu, a philosophical
mind would not long watch the ebb and flow
OF Liberalism without seeing that each sue
ceeding wave rises higher than the last, and
makes a new breach into the crumbling
walls that hedge about the towers Of despo-
item. The sea is vast and boisterous, and
you cannot see it rise at once, but take any
mark upon its bank and you will see it far
submerged when you look for it again.
II is q common error TO say that France has
gained nothing by its sanguinary revolutions.
But have not these given 10 it a constitution
al government? Has not an extension Of
the right of suffrage taught its people a thou
sand new truths, and made them earnest and
anxious students of political economy? No
such people as the French will study long
without learning, and no such people think
long without acting. An honorable nation
can easily learn TO be honest, and hon esty
with policy must teach the lesson of virtue
When the American republic sprang into
existence there was scarcely a constitutional
government in all Europe, now what despot
there dares stand above the law in open de-
1iance? Even Austria and Prussia have
constitutional governments in these days.
Even the mobiles of Russia are for a repub-
lie, nor are they merely anxious 10 change
the rule of one tyrant for that of a hundred,
since they have too much property at. stake
10 desire any thing else than a good and safe
government.
And in England, though there has been
no | oisierousous and bloody revolution, we
see a total change in the system of public
affairs. Until Of late it was the the govern
ment Of the rulers, and when these could
no longer control and command the repre-
sentatives Of the people the ministry was
forced to resign. The king never trusted
himself upon the national ma ynanimity and
patriotism, for in such things he had no
faith. The kings ministers suggested and
fashioned the public policy Of the country,
and the peoples representatives were mere
aatomatons 10 cry "amen." When tn is from
some accident failed, the government was
dissolved.
But of lac even England has become a
government of tie peoples representatives.
Those who were wont 10 dictate have been
confined 10 their proper functions Of ministe.
Iial executors Of The law and the Common
ers who were wont 10 be the ministers Of the
ministry have in turn ar's,n 10 their true
d gnily Of untram slled Legislators. The
ministers have become cabinet officers, as
in a repubhc-they are now the hand that
wields the pen of the government, but no
longer the whole head, heart and body of the
iling power. They have become the Off
GERS and servants Of the government; while
before, the government was the great officer
and servant of the ministry. This is the
fundamental difference between a republican
and a despoIic government-beween a gov
eminent 10 The % Of Lycurgus when The
citizen lived for the stale alone, and a repuo-
lie of our time, when the state is understood
TO be made for the c%itizoL's good.
TIE English nation has been reluctantly
male to con Tess that the people, though
their chosen representatives, can sustain aud
conduct a national government aud that the
science of political economy is within the
comprehension of the popular mind, and
not a thing of dark mysteries and c%onjura-
tons, which only a few titled charlatans,
mountebanks and coxcombs have been pre-
destined 10 understand.