The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-08

OF mhtary uespotnm IN france ana throughout the
continent of Europe. We were and are Impressed
with the belief that the centralized military and
civil forces Of France have the power as they un.
doubleday have the inclination, to "hold France as
long as the Roman army held the empire of Rome,
from the time of Augustus Caesar to Augustulus !"
and we doubt whether there can be sufficient force
mustered among all the conflicting parties Of France
to prevent such contamination.
Some of our contemporaries, however, dissented
from this philosophy" on the ground of want
of similarity between the present social state Of
Europe and that Of the period referred to, and
think that the advanced state of civilization to
which Europe has now attained, utterly preoludes
the possibility of such q contingency as that we
have foreshadowed One of the arguments is, that
the Roman people were so debased by Pagan super.
stitons, that their condition admitted Of parallel
being drawn between and that of the Chrstianzed
masses of Europe in our day.
We cannot admit however, the full force Of this
reasoning. Though the people Of Rome were
abect believers in fraudulent system of priestcraf,
were they more blindy superstitious than the same
classn the present day, in most of the Roman Ca
tholic countries Of Europe? Were they more the
unreasonng tools Of crafty priests than tho masses
on the European continent, who swallow almost
any prepesterous supernatural humbug which is
presented to them for credence, endorsed by their
spiritual fathers Are the pious frauds of winking
statues, and bleeding pictures, and miraculous
exhibitions, yet extinct! Nay, have we not seen
them revived and faithfully believed in, under the
regime and auspices Of the Holy Father who now
occupies the chair Of Saint Peter And do we
forget the no less fanatcsl and superstitious spirit
which so often manifests itself even here following
every ridiculous vsgary, from Mormon polygamy
to Rochester knockings! Why, if an impartial
judgment were given between the spiritual be-
nightedness and superstition Of the Roman pie
beians and the same class now living under the
Christian dispensation, we doubt not but it would
be found on the side of the former. Certainly it
would be also indisputably proved that the popular
religion Of Southern Europe is much more favor
able to the cause of despotsm than that Of almost
any other system which has from time to time
Aourished on the earth. Wherever and whenever
revolutions have broken out, the Romish clergy
have been almost invariably arrayed against
them It is unnecessary to refer to the history of
ls4s in support of this allegation, when kingcraf
and prestcraft allied to put down all popular move
ments. Sufficient is it to point to affairs in France
at the present moment, where the clergy cooperate
issue pastoras to their focks enoining them to vote
for him, reminding them at the same time of ''she
great religious acts which have marked his govern
ment'' Nor is this conservatism Of power con-
fined to the Roman clergy, but it fully participant
ed in by many the Protestant sects The 10y atty
of the churchmen of the British Island for instance
is only equalled by their rapaciousness and pride
Therefore, we do not think that the Genius of
Liberty will receive any great support from this
quarter. Mon, tall a,Grilio, nee deensorib1s iais.
We are told, howe YER, Of other great aids which
freedom can reckon on, in these days, which to the
poor Pagans were unknown, namely, our advance
in the science of chemistry, the invention of gun
powder, spinning jennies, and cotton gins, steam
power, railroads, SC. Why, all these but furnish
more ample power to oppresscrs, as long as they
have control over them. The destructive proper
ties of gunpowder are in their hands, the readiest
and most formidable means by which to crush all
nascent revolutions. The improvements in nechani
cal arts, however beneficial to society in other re-
spects, only subserve the system of Capitalization,
by enabling the few to command the labor and
monopolize the gains of the many; and capital
lists will always be found advocates and supporters
Of the powers that be. Railroads and telegraphs
are also potent instruments to the same end. And
as for the mighty agency Of the press, we see at
the present moment with what facility Louis Ma
poleon has shorn it Of its strength.
1t is very equivocal therefore, whether all these
superiorities of the present in Europe, which
are wont to laud SO highly do not a. much tend to
the support and permanency Of despoism as to its
overthrow. The Roman Church prevailing there
has taught to the populace passive obedience, both
in religion and politics. By an unhappy concur
renee Of events, republicanism and democracy in
those regions allied to infdelity and irreigion.
Hence, on the temporary establishment of the re-
pu Bile, there is principle, no integrity, no prac
teal morality, in the men who guide its dessines
Republics without religion cannot exist Republics
in exclusively Catholic countries cannot exist. In
the first instance, they are without prin ,ple, or
honesty, or integrty in the last they are obedent
only to the powers of superstition and the priest
hood. Modern times have not seen many parallels
to Washington and his contemporaries; and We can
not subscribe to the theory that there now exists in
ardent love for liberty, and determinatio to
achieve it, as there did even in those days when
Augustus founded the Roman Empire And We
gravitating towards like destiny. At this time
Louis Napoleon is dictator OF France, and We may
soon be on the look out for demonstration of the
course to which his policy win tend and that ten
dency in due time will be towards rupture with
England, under the secret instigation Of Russia,
whose diplomacy is to march on Constantinople.
THE FINE ARTs-A NEW MovEMEyT.-We
publish elsewhere in our columns very interesting
address to the friends of the fine arts throughout
the country, signed by q gentleman who has con-
suited with number Of eminent artists Of this
city, and who have concurred in the project an
nounced. Afew evenings since meeting was held
by large number Of artists and the ideas of pro-
mitigating this address were discussed and generally
eoncurred in. by many Of the most distinguished
among them. More Of this soon.
That this city and country presents vast field
for the cultivation of the fine arts, there be
question. We have reached point Of population
and wealth quite sufficient to command q school Of
fine IT'S Of the hioheat and puras kind in this city