The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-20

of freedom in Europe Eng land that sympahzes with
The diffusion OF constitutional governments on the Con-
inen =! England that has been often depicted the
flaming sword which guards the eastern gate OF the
Eden OF liberty England acquiesces IN The new order oil
things What Y The &
America and with freedom throughout the world
The English Prime Minister, then, trusts that, by the
increase OF knowledge by civilization. and the inyen
tons 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 us pause and consider the
conclusion and The causes which have led to H. OF the
strange, eyenul story, OF contest which may be said 10
date further back than 80 or 'g2-going back even 10
the middle OF the fifteenth century when the human mind
rea wakened after sumber OF ages, 10 some concep
kind II is said that the last of the Afth and last
act OF the great drama OF freedom IN Europeis brought
to close But ask again. can be true that the con-
test is over call to mind another fact in addition TO all
have before stated in confirmation of the conclusion
that all is over. late number OF the United Service
Journal periodical OF approved authority satesthat The
armies on the continent number four millions OF bayo-
nets. And they aUayed the side OF despotism 1t
is true that some Of the ardent friends OF liberty
contend that the conclusion does not follow from this
fact that the contest for freedom is at an end. They
alege that has only yielded for time TO the overwhelm
ing physical force brought TO bear against it. But, on
the other hand 1t is strongly maintained that one OF the
results OF the progress OF the age that the bayonels OF
Europe have been taught to think that they have come
to regard themselves as part OF The people from among
in former times, the blind instruments Of their employ
ers in making war upon popular rights The idea too,
has been often proclaimed in tones OF exulling conf
dence that public opinion has become stronger than the
bayonet Ali this may be true, and is certainly very
beautiful in heoy but from the nature OF recent trans
actions in Europe il would unfortunately SEEM also that
not only the thinking bayones, but that public opinion,
too, has rejected popular nervenoR an unsafe basis
oil government.
| But few years ago it must be admitted that the cur
rent of republican IDEAS and aspirations tending rap
rope Now all is reversed Mems mnds-perplexed and
conounded by recent events-aatually go in search oil
some fact or theory which may account for the change
Some take the view that there is no great principle or
maxim, in morals government, so liked and established
as TO be free from the influence OF fashion, the love o
novety-or beyond the reach of those changes in sent
men and opinion which observed to occur at inter-
walls and periods OF greater less DURATION according TO
circumstances, among all mankind, even upon subjects
the most interesting to their happiness and welfare
Some bold specuators have gone far TO affirm that
all religious forms and creeds out by time and pass
| away-tha WEAKNESS and assude are Unbeatable quail
ties-that they descend from generation 10 generation,
and that the lapse OF ages, the human mind seeks by
natural impulse, TO throw off old and long established
ideas and sentiments upon all subjects of faith and
speculation.
The theory plausible when applied TO govern
mens than 10 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 10 be universal yet how often has il happened
in the history OF the world that these passions have
ling influences There have been periods in the his
tory OF Europe-especially in the ages which imme-
dately succeeded the overthrow OF the Roman power
and civilization, and even in later limeswhen personal
freedom afforded no security 10 life or property. II was
in such distracted times that whole villages and the rural
population OF whole districts and provinces voluntarily
became the ers and bondsmen OF some powerful suzeram
or chief, who bad the power to protect them from
the general license and plunderngs Of the times And
so, sir, can read understand that state or condition
OF things may arise IN any country when, by the mad
ness. the turbuance and violence OF factions, the
srant and sanctions of law and government may become
so relaxed that whole people, however attached 10 lhe
cause OF free institutions, may seek repose and proiec-
ton the embraces OF despoc power. SO II has been
in times past in many memorable instances, and so is
| likely TO be in the future.
The passion Tor civil liberty, strong and universal
as il is, has been known again and again to yield
10 that appears TO be even stronger than hat-ihe
love of national glory There is still another sentiment
common the OF mankind that has had powerful
influence in human affairs and one which, aside from re-
lgon, many regard the strongest in the human heart
mean the sentiment spirit OF loyalty to chie OF the
heirs OF his name and renown The servle worship Of
eminent men-of men who, BY some SPARKLING or dazzling
qualities achievements in military or civil affairs, has
fixed the popular admiraou-is kindred TO H. II we would
calculate the strength OF this setimen OF loyalty we
have only consider the errors the bunders and some
times the crimes, which often overloOks IN favor
ite We, SIR can bear witness 10 the intensity and force
with which this passion, the kindred one has operated
in times and in country IN those party
conflicts which have become so fierce and formidable
Presumng upon the strength of this sentiment, Dictator
ship sometimes assumed in the direction OF affairs only
less offensive to manly, independent spirit, than the
actual usurpahon OF all the powers OF government
need not saywha every at all read IN history must
know-ihat the public liberty has often been victim to
this passion.
But neither the love OF novelty, nor the influence Of
fashion, the passion for national glory, mol the
timen OF loyalty, nor the serve worship OF eminent
men, nor any law OF change nor altogether are sufi-
cent 10 account for the revolution that must have taken
place In the opinions OF the people OF Europe within the
last few years, ii what have heard be Tue-that
the arbitrary authority assumed by the continental
powers is founded in public opinion. The reyulslon
in public sentiment-he reacionary feeling, must in
deed have been strong and overwhelming, as IN so
short time not only 10 have reversed the rapid and tu
current OF republican IDEAS, but the more steady deep
and broad which has been settling IN long IN favor
/ OF constitutional monarchies.
There is-tbcre must be still some great fact behind
There must be solution OF this eAgmasome latent
or patent for change adverse 10 The hopes and
aBhcpaons which cheered the last moments OF so many
Ilustrious martyrs TO the OF freedom within the
last three score years.
One great preliminary fact ! assume certain and
unquestionabe Ii Is that what we in this country call
the bone and snews OF soceyhe great and respectable
class OF industrious and thrifty agreulursts, artzans
tradesmen shopmen, and the mercantile classes generally
have to the conclusion that popular loms OF
eminent cannot be maintained on the continent OF Eu.
rope in sufficient force and authority TO accomplish The
great ends of civil society," the repression OF internal dis
ORDERS and the security OF life and property. Whence
this great change in the sentiment and opinions OF the
populations of Europe after long period OF conflict
on-but one solution this nigma II ~, II mas, be,
the ultrasmsthe wild and visionary schemes and theo-
res OF society and government OF liberty, OF universal
equay~-whch have been avowed and taught by many
OF the great popular leaders OF the revolutionary and
publican movements the continent OF Europe and the