Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-02-17
THE PRESENT CONDITION OF EUROPE.

THE PRESENT CONDITION OF EUROPE.
The high hope with which the friends of con-
stitutional liberty entered upon the last year,
and to which they still chung with earnest zeal,
amid the Hungarian and other reverses, until
the last browning act Of the sad tragedy ended
with the fratrcidal treachery Of the French pres
ident in his forswearing his oath Of fidelity to
the people, and the erection of military despo-
tism in Ia belle France are scattered to the
winds. 9i--
The present condition of things in Europe af-
fords food for the most melancholy thought, for
the expression of which we cannot do better
than to give the sombre reflection of the talent
ed and judicious London correspondent Of the
National Inteiligencer, who situated near to the
scene of action and having access to the best
sources Of information, is able to form deduc-
tons from passing events, which may readily be
received as authentic. His picture of the affairs
of the continent is dark indeed. In introducing
his observations, he remarks of the events OF
the past year in Europe, that sit is with mean-
choly presages for the future that we commence
this survey. Scarcely bright spot presents it.
self along the entire extent of the political hor-
icon. Countries blessed with the richest gifts
of nature, and enjoying all the advantages OF
material beauty are grooming under the yoke OF
misrule and oppression. The most sacred en-
gagements between the governors and the gov
erned, have been ruthlessly violated. Force
usurps the functions of opinion; the interests
of the many are wantonly sacrificed to the self
ish caprices of the few; the rights of conscience
and of private judgment are set at naught; ed
ucaton is neglected, commerce crippled, trade
destroyed At Rome republican army haunts
the purlieus of the old Pretoran guard and the
armed representative of popular Government
dictates the law to the city Of the Caesars. Ma
pies best and most noble sons pine and die with
out trial or accusation, in letters and in dun
geons. Fair Florence is about to pass into the
tender and liberal management of Austria and
the Queen of the Adratic, beautiful Venice, is
compelled to bend to the conquerors Sardinia
alone, of all the fair countries of Italy, stands
erect, blessed with constitutional Government
and enjoys portion eff that liberty which alone
lifts man from the condition of slave.
In Austria the veil is boldly thrown aside
and return to the despotsm of olden times de
lberately announced. And why not! The iror
heel of the conqueror has, for the time, crushed
Hungary in the dust. Confederated Germany
is bound to the car Of Francis Joseph. Prussii
afraid Of her own shadow--at once the mos
pusillanimous and the most grandiloquent; thu
most promising and the least performing Of Gov
crnments the most fruitful in theory, the mos
barren in practice, of any nation of Europe
submits to the domination Of Austria, at the die
tation of Russia, with a readiness which is e
nough to make old Fritz turn in his grave
Saxony and Bavaria are the tools, Hanover il
the dupe, and Neutrality-suspicious. sovereign
is perhaps the most liberal-minded and enlight
ened ruler in continental Europe-is the victim
g Al L., g tlo of obor
Of Russia we will not in charity say anything
the past year has not recorded much of progress
among the sixty-fvc millions of the subjects o
the Gar, and in justice we will add, we know
of no prominent marks of retrogression. liar
dy, simple, good old Scandinavia maintains he
independence in Sweden and in Denmark; and
amidst the SHOWS and frosts of hyperboreal
winter, where they feel an elasticity of mind,
freedom of action, and more of the genuine dig
nifty of man than are enjoyed in the gay saloon
of Berne or Vienna, and we greatly fear, in tn
crowded levees Of Paris. But Spain and Por
tugal--gallant old Iberia, and fertile and flow
cry LuSiatania--give promise of awaking fron
the slumber OF ages of torpid inaction, and agai
taking their fitting place in the muster roll Q
nations. Of quiet, peace loving art encourag
ing Belgium, and Of Industrious sober-minde
Holland, we can only express wish that tn
despots who govern the continent may leav
them to the. quiet enjoyment of their well-de
served prosperity.
And what has 1851 done for our neighbo
France? 1t found her Republic in name
leaves her military despotsm, with the reput
lican chieftain transformed into an absolute dlt
tator. 1t found her with legislature chosen
by the people: 1t leaves her with the Legislation
of the bayonet and the sabre. 1t found her wit
apolitical constitution which emanated from
the people; 1t leaves her subject to the SIC vol
of despot. 1t found her with restricted sui
frage, exercised without restraint; it leaves he
with universal suffrage, permitted to vote onl
in certain way, and with the shadow of fire.
choice to elect upon compulsion. We woul
not be unjust to Louis Napoleon, but indeed a
that he has said or done since the I'd of Decem
Der, serves only to confirm our opinion of tn
selfish and ambitious nature of his views. 9
two evils which seem to be the only choice @
France-the tyrany Of the mountain, or the ty,
any of military rule--the latter may, possibly
be the least banefu; but we shudder to thin
of the probable consequences of such domir
ion not only to France herself but also to tn
peace and liberty Of Europe.
THE EFFECTS OF CALIFORNIA GoLD.-Whil
for the year past we have gained some in tn
retention Of California gold, the vast infusion o
the other side of the Atlantic, by means chief
Nf h. IL. .,s,t. ia IL