Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24

speech the public avowa Of the facts and sentiments
which by Prime Minister of Great Britain must be re-
garded and win ever continue 10 be regarded, Of
the remarkable and extraordinary circumstances OF
the present century. read from the London Times:
I have the happiness say that the relations Of peace
ist between this country foreign nations the highest
gree TRUST they may continue do and while deploe
which have passed the continent of
which, fear were the too Of the
yoluton Of 1s4sI do that bypeace and civilization,
intelligence which daily pouring in by the invcn
ons made to improve the condition Of mankind liberty shall
be egh introduced and established, and that with reli
gon it shall the hearts Of men, and produce happier
days to mankind"
Thus has the knel Of liberty in Europe been toled its
obsequies publicly celebrated and its what
sincerity do not pretend 70 say. -
England-aye, sir, England-the proclaimed champion
Of freedom in Europe England, that sympsthizes with
nent England, that has been often depicted the
flaming sword which guards the eastern the Eden
liberty England acqesoes in the new order Of things
% sts spo s
Ssth freedom throughout the world
The English Prime Minister then, trusts that, by the
increase Of knowledge, by civilization and the nven-
tions Of the age liberty may at length be Introduced
may reappear upon the continent and bring happier days
to mankind!
Let us pause here and speculate moment upon this
great fact which marks the progress of civilization in the
nineteenth century. Let pause and consider the
cusion and the which have led to of the strange
eventfu story Of contest which may be said to date fur
ther back than 89 92gong back even to the middle
ened after sumber of ages to conception Of the
civil well Of the religious rights Of mankind. It is
said that the last scene Of the fifth and last act of the
great drama Of freedom in Europe is brought to close
But ask again. it 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
late number of the United Service Journal periodical
of approved authority states that the armies the
tinent number four millions of bayonets. And they
arrayed the side of desposm 1t is true that Of
the ardent friends Of liberty contend that the
cusion does follow from this fact that the contest for
freedom is at an end They aege that has only yielded
for time to the overwhelming physical force brought to
bear against it. But the other hand, it is strongly
maintained that of the results Of the progress of the
age is that the bayonets of Europe have been taught to
think that they have to regard themselves part
of the people from among whom they recruited, and
that they will longer be, in former times the blind
instruments of their employers in making war upon po
puar rights The idea, too has been often proclaimed,
in tones of exulng confidence that public opinion has
become stronger than the bayonet All this may be true
and certainly very beautiful in theory but from the
nature of recent transactions in Europe it would unoru
natey see also that not only the thinking bayonets but
that public opinion oo has rejected popular Intervention
as an unsafe basis of government.
But few years ago it must be admitted that the
rent Of republican ideas and aspirations tending
pdy to undermine all the monarchica Institutions of Eu
rope Now all is reversed Mems minds, perpexed and
confounded by recent events naturally 60 in search Of
fact theory which may account for the change
Some take the view that there is great principle
MAXIM in morals government fixed and established
to be free from the influence of fashion, the love Of
novetyor beyond the reach of those changes in sent
and opinion which observed to at inter-
walls and periods Of greater Duration according
circumstances, among all mankind upon subjects
the most interesting % tAsr own happiness and welfare
fss1s el l0 I3Ix qzf N SlssS9 Isss
natural impulse TO throw on old and long sstaAishSd
ideas and sentiments upon all subjects Of mere faith and
speculation.
The theory is more plausible when applied to Govern
ments than to religion The passion for civil liberty is
common to ALL except the governing classes in any stage
of civilization The passion for personal freedom may be
said TO be unyersa yet how often has it happened in
the history Of the world that these passions have yielded
to other and still stronger and controlling influences?
There have been periods in the history of Europeespe
cially in the ages which Immediately succeeded the
throw of the Roman power and civilization, and in
later times-when personal freedom afforded security
to life property was in such distracted times that
whole villages and the rural population of whole districts
and provinces voluntarily became the ser and bondmen
Of powerful szerain chief who had the power
protect them from the general license and punderngs of
the times And so, sir, can readily understand that
state condition of things may arise in any country
when by the Madness the turbulence and violence of
TONS the restraint and sanctions of law and Government
may become relaxed that whole people, however at
tached the Of free institutions may seek repose
and protection in the embraces Of despotc power So it
has been in times past in many memorable instances and
so IL is likely TO be in the future.
The passion for civil liberty strong and universal as 1t
is has been known again and again yield to that
appears to be stronger than tha-the love Of
tonal glory. There is still another sentiment
to the Of mankind that has had powerful infu-
ence in human affairs, and which, aside from reli-
gon, many regard the strongest in the human heart
mean the sentiment spirit Of loyalty to chief
the heirs Of his and The servile worship
Of eminent men-of men who by sparkling or daz
zling qualities achievements in military civil affairs
has fixed the popular admiration-s kindred to it. If we
would calculate the strength Of this sentiment Of loyalty
have only to consider the errors the blunders, and
sometimes the crimes which it often oyerooks in
fayore We, sir bear witness the intensity and
force with which this passion, the kindred one has
those party conflicts which have become 50 fierce and for
midabe Presuming upon the strength of this sentiment
dictatorship is sometimes assumed in the direction of
affairs only ess offensive TO manly, independent spirit
than the actual usurpation of oil the powers Of Gov
ernment need not say, what every at all read in
history know that the public liberty has often been
a victim TO this passion
But neither the love Of novelty, the influence Of
fashion, the passion for national glory the sent
Of loyalty the serve worship Of eminent men,
any law Of change, altogether sufficient TO
the opinions Of the people Of Europe within the last few
years. IL what have heard be true that the arbitrary
authority assumed by the continental Powers founded
in public opinion. The revusion In public sentiment
the rcactionary feeling must indeed have been strong
and overwhelming, as in short time not only to
have reversed the rapid and ftfu Of republican
ideas, but the more steady Deep and broad which
has been setting long favor of constitutional
marches.
There is there must be- still great fact behind
There must be solution of this enigma latent
aJv