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

entwlned with the fate the life OF and he Of
antecedent position, significance renown! Nothing
be strkingly characteristic of the age which
live than this single fact 1t may well be regarded
ominous, and teach that nationally nothing in society
government be regarded fixed and well-esta
blshed as to defy conyulson and overthrow. The
plcaton of has recently become curious and
intricate to make all reasoning from them effects
abortve because neither perceive comprehend
the infinite variety of minute yet operative bres and ee
mens Of which the moral tissue is compounded The fa
cultes of the greatest nteects stand rebuked mortified
and confounded by rapid successive and unexpected de-
velopmens Yet speculatons and conjectures to the
future however extravagant visionary they may be,
viii still occupy the thoughts and imagnatons Of men.
The sanguine believers in the increased knowledge
and civilization OF the age guarantees OF the advancing
spirit Of liberty basng their calculations on the fact that
the late changes in Europe palpaby reprogressive
affirm that the spirit Of liberty the continent Of Europe
ID extngushed that it is only entanged for time
i'm the tolls Of the hunters, and that it will speedily break
the vain ferA and itself to greater energies than
i has yet displayed in combating its enemies It's
this class Of spectators the signs Of the times who
affirm that at this Europe Tire verge Of the
great Of opinion often conflict between
antagisc principles OF Governrnenttheo supporting
free and the other despotic forms. s tasR
There is another class who 60 still further in their con-
lectures, and suggest that Europe probably upon the
verge Of still terrible and formidable war; war
between classes-a sanguinary, destructive, and
wide wasting than the world has seen-a war
between the poverty-stricken the one hand
and the propetos by purchase inheritance OF the SOIL
and the depostares and holders of all other descriptions
of wealth, the accumuatons of industrial pursuits in
period of thousand years. the other sde There have
been of ambition and conquest between races,
of religious creeds, for civil and religious Ii
berty, and for any thing foresee the blood of
many more such may yet stain the earth Nation
will continue to rise against nation race against race
and the tide of victory will yet ebb and flow many
wefought battlefield on which freedom shall contend
against oppression But there several causes which
will prevent postpone for ages either this last great
conflict which threatens the civilization of Europe fore
told by some, the solution of the problem propounded
by Others who maintain that civilization, whenever it
reaches certain stage in any Of the great divisions OF the
globe among any of the races Of mankind, must hnay
yield to the great law of changeto the inevitable de-
strucon and decay the seeds Of which are planted IN
every form of society known in the history Of the world
The civilization of any race people like the nations
they compose and like individual men, 1T is sad has It's
ages its eliminating point after which it must gradually
Decline and be lost to view only live in history But
though the civilization of western Europe may have reach
ed its eliminating point though its populations and the
of which they composed may be vergng to de-
cline; and though numbers overstockng the land yet
just upon their eastern borders, there is still that great
of nations of fresh and vigorous races to
pensh and reinvgorate their decaying energeso pre-
serve perpetua and it may be to advance their civil
ization. The discovery Of this world of and
the facilities supplied to immigration by modern inven
tons, viii mitigate not remove, the great evil Of
dundant populations. And sol think there is
apprehend the catastrophe Of that Of classes of
declining civilization in Europe, which Of the de-
spending prophets of the times have suggested certain
or probable.
/ While cannot give myself up the belief that the
cause OF Civil liberty is
while reluctant to to the conclusion that there
will be immediate early effort, by the more rational
friends of freedom spontaneous concerted, to resist
q the as..y principles upon .hSs shs gTsa. Powers Of
o throw on the hateful incubus eak the chains
tey riveted, which pre- farEed ~ fAst tAsir ber
reaches us from the other side Of the Atlantic see nothing
to encourage the expectation Of such movement and
so conclude that there viii be that account
But come to different conclusion from those who
nf fbafth trhic
tnent of Europe is permanent; that there viii be no
within any short period There too many
of scord too many jealouses many rival interests
too many outcast yet intriguing and influential dynas-
ties too many great armies ready to take the field and
with ALL the neverdying ambition and thirst for dynasc
and national aggrandizemen to allow any strong faith in
the hypothesis Of continued peace.
In adopting this conclusion do not forget the opposing
testimony borne by the stock market and the mercantile
classes Nor unmindful of the powerful influence
of the holders of Europe the great moneyed cap
taists upon the questions of peace and Nor do
forget the plentiful professions of peaceful intentions by
the Governments most likely to disturb the peace But
regard professions and diplomatic Of very little
value lock substantial facts look especially
TO the political necessities which may drive great nation
to war Notwithstanding all the receive
from abroad Of permanent tranquility, that there still
exists uneasness in Europe that subject have
only the fact that all the States of that cont
nent looking carefully to the condition OF their
tional defences; and while they all profess willing
TO disarm they all increasing their armaments
both by and land. In addition to this, when we con-
slider that there are now millions bayonets ready
10 be put in motion and that the different maritime
Powers put afoat thousand ships of war, who
shall say that there is ground to apprehend in
Europe?
that there many causes existing in great
force in Europe make peace desirable The
public debt exceeding in the aggregate 81 900 000 000
under which Europe is weighed down, may restrain the
temptations war; would undoubtedly cripple their
military energies; but this is argument which, like
two-edged weapon, cuts both ways To pay the interest
this debt and sustain public credit, takes the bread
from the mouth Of labor engenders discomfort among the
thrifty and Industrious classes and desperation among
the impoverished Besides four millions Of armed SOL
diery though their swords unsheathed be fed
and paid Here is constant temptation try the chances
of and by forced contributions TO throw upon their
neghbors the burden Of their support The only remedy
for this state of things general dsarmng by the great
Powers which their mutual eaousies will not permit
There is a more potent influence STILL that may possibly
exist to restrain the Governments of Europe and compel
them to keep peace The republican ideas and fierce de-
mocratc spirit which have deeply infected their popu
atons Of late and which has the key to their policy
for the last years. may yet exist in sufficient force TO
control their councils The snake that crept into the pa
laces Of kings may be scotched not killed The popular
volcano that burst forth in l64S with such fury may not
be burnt out; il may only slumber and the yibratory
movements Of the Mountain may impart fears of
her irrupton and oupourng Of the burning lava III this
should be So all Of discord all mutual eaousies
all ambitious schemes will be suspended, until this
mon danger the internal of the States of Europe
shall pass away cease TO be Formidable But have
thrown out these suggestions upon assumption which
see little reason to justify. The danger Of popular
conmotons appears already to have passed. and recur