The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-26
The Reign or Terror.

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We OF the preseDt day boast much OF the refinement
and humanity Of the ninstsenth csnlury seeming 10
know that the sun OF civilization pours lis noon-Ide
radiance OF suffering, crime, and trumphaM
wrong such the world has not seen within the last
three hundred years Content with the possession OF our
own involable liberty. and with aggregate OF national
happiness which people enjoyed before. we are
but little disposed harrow feelings with the
psiion OF remote suffering. it, indeed we be susceptible Of
just sympathy with pain felt and be capable
OF approaching degradation we never witnessed I'M
less, however are berei of the feelings Of human
nature. cannot look upon the present condition OF the
people of Europe without shudder. The REIGN OF
TERROR is established. not by the ttful and tumulluary
violence OF the mob but by the ascendency OF awess
power. sheerng itself behind lis array OF countless sol
dies. and executing its fell purposes with the galows
and the bayonet Over the whole continent of Europe
from the Baltic the Mediterranean and from the Black
TO the British channelboods pervadng spirit OF
tyranny. Piedmont Belgium, and Switzerland, censlitu
ona governments in name exist only by suerance. and
no longer the sanctuaries TO which the doomed and
hunted patriot may flee in safety from the wrath OF his
The independence and the liberties of England
threatened Iii understood that the continental pow
concerning scheme for the expulsion of their
fugitive subjects from British sofia which the
London Times meets with vow of resistance " to the
last Of treasure and the last drop OF blood" Ii
may be, however, that necessity shall compel England to
refuse asylum the prescribed victims of tyranny in
which event, America will be the only refuge Of Liberty
for civilized man.
But it Is from such general survey this that
get adequate idea of the oppression and suffering Of
the people OF Europe When we come to their individual
rights and their private relations and the vo
lated and the other outraged with every circumstance OF
ferocity-when their property confscated, their
persons nsued and BEATEN their liberty destroyed and
their lives taken in wanton cruety-when we their
wives and daughters subjected 10 the lustful ndgntes
OF brutal sodiery-when we see a land governed not
by law and justice, but by the violent impulses of
pcous and crushing despotsm with its desperate expe
dents of assassination, exile and confscaton-we may
form just conception Of the accumulated suffering
and sorrows OF large portioa of the people OF Europe
We draw no exaggerated picture. If anybody doubts
the truth OF our representations let him look at LON.
hardy, writing under the heel of Austrian rule, and he
will acquit US of extravaganza. The de-
scribe are reduced system by the monarchs and prac
tsed with unreentng rgor. They may be in
France, in Italy, in Germany, in Hungary, and indeed
wherever the spirit Of the people is not utterly broken
and PROSTATE. AS essential support to their niqui
tous SYSTEM the monarchs forced TO gag the press
and to exercise the rigid censorship books
No journal dares utter the feelings OF the peope-no
writer is allowed TO express discomfort with the exist
ing order of things The genius Of the poet
in feers and The philosopher walks with gives upon
his hands" ubiquitous system OF espionage nfuses
deadly poison into the bosom Of society," and spreads every
where disrus suspicion, and alarm.
II is in the order Of that such System Of
niquy shall endure. 1t is anomalous and revolution
airy, and will work out its destruction 1t cannot
stand, if there be justice in Heaven. The bold criminal
may flourish for season, but the retribuion will surely
come The despots of Europe may enjoy brief period
OF absolute power, and may riot little longer in blood
and pllage but revenge that "wild justice, will plant
the dagger home at last II the yrant nothing in the
laws of humanity 10 restrain him from the oppression
and murder of the people, he cannot expect that any
scruples OF conscience should intervene between his
bosom and the dagger Of his victim II he leaves open
but one avenue through which Justice may approach
he should not complain if her step be sealthy and her
in proportion to the magnitude of his crimes will be the
punishment OF the tyrant. Europe is held in subsection
by military force but military force cannot contend in
the end with reason. justice. and humanity. And, is
the rgor OF the existing pressure will be the violence Of
the ultimate explosion.