The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-07

az length introduced and cstablshcd and that, with
ieligioD, Il shell govern the hearts Of land pro
duce happier days to mankind"
Thus has the knel of liberty in Europe been tocd,
its obsequies publicly celebrated, and its fall wept;
with what sincerity ! do not pretend to say,
Engand.-aye, cir, England-the proclaimed
champion Of freedom IN Europe! England, that
sympathizes with the diffusion Of constitutional
governments on the continent! England, that has
been go often depicted as the flaming sword which
guards the eastern gate Of the Eden Of liberty !
England acqnie5ces in the new order Of things
What a commentary upon the announcement 50
frequent OF late of English sympathy with Amer
lea aid with freedom throughout the world.
The English Prime Minister, then, trusts that, by
the increase of knowledge, by civilization, and the
inventions Of the nge, liberty may at length be in
Todxced-may reappear upon the continent, and
bring happier days to mankind!
Let US pause here, and speculatea moment upon
this great fact. which marks the progress of civil
ization in the nineteenth century. Let us panse
and consider the conclusion, and the causes which
have led TO it, Of the strange eventful story Of q
contest which may be said to date further back
than the first French revoution--going back even
to the middle Of the sixteenth century, when the
human mind, awakened after slumber OF a g es,
to conception OF the civil as well as Of the re
hgous rights of mankind. II is said that the last
scene Of the th and last act Of the great drama
OF freedom in Europe is brought to a close. But
ask again. can il be that the contest is over?
call to mind another fact in addition TO all |
have before stated in confirmation Of the conclusion
that all is A late number of the United Ser
pice Journal, periodical of approved authority,
states that the armies on the continent number four
millions Of bayonets. And they arrayed on the
side Of despotism. II is true, that some of the
more ardent friends of liberty contend that the
conclusion does not follow, from this fact. that the
contest for freedom is at end. They allege that
it has only yielded for time to the Sbeiming
physical force brought to bear against it, But, on
the other hand, il is strongly maintained that one
OF the results OF the progress Of The age s that the
bayonets Of Europe have been taught 10 think; that
they have come TO regard themselves as a part OF
the people from among whom they are recruited,
and that they will no longer be- in former times,
the blind instruments Of their employers in max
ing upon popular rights. The idea, too, has
been often proc clamed. in tones Of exuiting conf
depce, that public opinion has become stronger
than the bayonet. All this may be true and is
certainly very beautiful In theory but, from the
complexion of recent events in Europe, it would
unfortunately that not only the thinking
bayoncts but that public opinion, also, has reject
ed popular intervention as an unsafe basis OF gov
ernment.
But few years ago. it must be admitted, that
the current OF republican ideas and aspirations was
tending rapidly to undermine all the monnrchical
institutions OF Europe. Now all 10 reversed. Mems
minds perplexed and confonnded byrecent events,
naturally go in search Of some fact theory which
may account for The change. Some take the view
that there Is no great principle or maxim, in mo-
rails government SO fixed and established as 10
be free from the nfloence of fashion, the love OF
novelty, or beyond the reach of those changes in
sentiment and opinion which observed 10 occur
at intervals and periods Of greater lees duration,
according to circumstances, among mankind, even
upon subjects the most interesting TO their hap.
piness and welfare. Some bold spcculstora have
gone go far TO affirm that a reg gious forms and
oreeds wear out by time and pass away; that wea-
riness and Iassitudc are inheritabie Qualities; that
! they descend from generation to generation; and
that, in the lapse OF agee the human mind seeks
| by natural impulse, u throw of old ideas and
| sentiments upon all subjects of mere faith and
| speculation
The theory is more plausible when applied to
| governments than 10 religion. The passion for
civil liberty is common 10 all, except the govern
ing classes in any stage Of civilization. The pas.
sion for personal freedom may be said 10 be uni.
vcrsa yet how often has il happened in tho his
tory Of the world that these passions have yielded
| TO other and still stronger and more controlling
influences. There have been periods in the history
of Europe-especially in the ages which immedi
| atcly succeeded the overthrow Of the Roman power
and civilization, and even in later times--whcn
persona! freedom afforded no security 10 life or
property. IL was in such distracted timos that
| whole Villages, and the rural population of whole
districts aid provinces, voluntarily became the
| seris and tondmcn Of come powerful suzerain or
chief, who had the power 10 protect them from the
general license and piunderings of the times. And
30, sir, can readily understand that a state con.
dition Of things may arise in any country when,
by the madness, the turbulence and violence OF fac
ton, the restraint and sanctions Of law and govern
ment may become go relaxed that whole people,
however attached Go the cause OF free instutiUns,
may seek repose and protection in tho embraces Of
deepotic power. So IL hns been in times past in
many memorable instances, and 30 IL is likely "a
4 be in ttc future.
The passion for civil liberty strong and universal
as II is has bcon known gain md gain 10 yield "a
ono that appears TO be stronger than that tho
love Of national glory There is stil another senti-
Inent common to the macs Of mankind that has had
powerful influence in hunien affairs, and one
which, aside from religion, many regard as the
strongest in the human heart | mean the senti
ment spirit OF loyalty % n chief, or the h,rs Of
4 oi
eminent men-of men who, by some sparkling or
Dazzling qualities. or achievements IN military ar
civil afiairs, have fixed the popular admrationis
kindred 10 IL. Jf VIC would calculate the strength
OF this sentiment Of loyalty we have only to con-
slider thc errors. the buuders, and sometimes
the cfimss, which it often oycrlocks in favoritc.
We, cir, can bear einess to the intensity and ofcc
with which this passion, or the kiudrcd one, has
operated in our own times and in own country
in those party conflicts which nave become eo erCc
and formidable. Prcsuming upon the strength ~
this sentiment, Dictatorship is sometimes as.
sumed in the direction OF aairs, only l,ss of, nsyc
| 20 manly independent spirit than the actual
patton OF all the powers Of government need not
say, what every one at all read in history must
know that the public liberty has often been a vic
tim 20 this passion.
But neither tho love OF novelty, nor the influence
Of fashion the passion for national glory. nor
the sentiment Of loyalty, tho scryi.c worship Of
eminent men, nor any law OF change, nor all 10
gCthcr, are SUFFICIENT 20 account FOR the revolution
which must have taken place IN the opinions Of the
people of Europe within tho last lew ycars, if what
We have heard be true that tho arbitrary authoi-
" assumtd by the continental powers IL founded
in public opinion. The rcvusion in public scnti-
incrt, the reactionary feeling, must indeed have
been strong and overwhelming, ns, ip 80 short n
time not only 10 have reversed the rapid and fful
current OF republican idcas, but the more steady,
deep, and broad enc which has been scitng IN 80
long in favor Of constitutional InOBarchics
There is, there must b., stil ONE great fact be-
hind. There must be solution Of this cnig-
ina; some latcut or patent cause for change 50
adverse 10 the hop,s and antcipauons whichChoor-
cd the last moments Of so many llus,rioua inaT
tyrs TO The cause Of freedom within the last thrco
score years.
One great preliminary fact assume certain
aud uuquestionabe. IL s, that what in this
country call the bone sinews oi Fociety--the
great aud respectable class Of industr. Gus and
thrifty agriculturs,s, artisans, trad, shop
men, and tho mercantile classes gcucrally-have
come 10 the conclusion that populir iorms Of gov
trnmcut cannot be maintained on the continent OF
Edrope in sufficient force and authority TO accom-
plish tho great ends of society, the rcprcsson of
internal disorders, and the security Of life and pro-
pcrty. Whence this great change ~ the sent-
ment and opinions OF tho populations Of Europe
alter 50 long period Of conflict and suffering!
There an bc but one answer - this question, but