Grass Valley telegraph., 1854-01-19

To such an extent has the influence of the
press vindicated itself, that in this country.
no more infallible test Of the political social
and moral condition Of a people can he found.
than is supplied by the conditions under
which its press acts, and the time it assumes.
Wherever the press has uncontrolled action.
then, governments Of limited powers will be
found,-a people that is prosperous, intelli-
gent, and happy, and who keep vigilant
guard on their rights. But wherever despot-
ism lifts it's head, and spreads it's deleterious
influences, the first enemy it assaults is the in
dependent press nor is it secure till that
sprtS< nlotte5i out, u transformed into the
servile instrument of power. Thus is it on
the broad continent of Europe, where the
press is but the tongue Of the powers that be.
But thank God, gentlemen, we may well be-
lieve the power Of despotism is broken-that
it now fingers like the shades OF night in the
path of coming dawn. The present era of
the world combines elements of interest that
no past one has equalled. The seeds Of free
dom and constitutional government have
been blown across the ocean, and from Eng
land, and taking accidental but firm root in
the continent, are now springing to life and
beauty. Every glimpse from the old world
reveals the contention of the rival forces of
tyranny and liberty, sometimes ayowed and
open, by means of bloody wars, sometimes
dark and noiseless, but still active and reso-
lutte. For one. look upon the present as
pect Of European affairs as one of the most
Important and interesting that has ever been
presented, not excepting the memorable Hun
garian revolution. It is an era marked with
the progress of events that will tell with
weighty effect on the destinies of the Globe
gigantic power. whose car has been anoth-
er juggernaut, rolling On over the necks and
hearts Of people, which for two centuries
have pursued a course of outward ageres-
sion and inward ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. till it's name
has become Synonymous with encroachment.
and its wars have become incessant, is now
aiming to crush out another and independent
power, to give more scope and verge to its
own powers of aggression. To effect this
end, it has launched ponderous armies upon
its selected adversary ,seizing its provinces and
its revenues, and now raises an embattled
front on the Danube, preparatory to the last
fell swOOp by which it intends to annihiliate
its victim. On the other hand, we see peo-
pie that had passed for barbarians, recupera-
tives from the eXcesses Of the past. assuming
tone worthy of an enlightened nation,
granting universal tolerance, and winning
the respect and sympathy Of the world for
their cause. We see them aWaking from a
lethargy of half century, and springing to
the field with the ardor Of yore, to battle,
not now for the creed and by the sword of
Mahomet. but for principles that a christian
nation might be proud to maintain. And
how stands the spectacle. The Turk is as
powerful when inspired by feeling of noble
aims as when he battled only for domination.
We have seen him break with an inferior
force the serried files of Russia and send the
Bear back to his quarters after much rougher
handling than suits his majesty. In this
gathering tempest, the nations of Europe, and
especially the masses, look on with vital in
terest. In the raging elements, there is safe
ty. The wars Of Europe of the past one
hundred years, have hastened the bringing in
of liberty, though for the time, they bore with
crushing force on the people. Through the
war path alone lies the track Of liberty.
Better that blood flow over the throne than
under it ! By the contention of Princes and
Kings, their power is diminished, the victor
alike with the vanquished. The debts Of Eu-
rope, incurred in these wars, though they bind
capitalists to the existing order of things, are
nevertheless guarantees and pledges for free
dom. Only by war, open or covert, can the
governments of Europe be maintained but
such wars require expensive establishments,
and as year rolls on year, and nations exceed
their income, the time must come when they
will pass the limit of endurance and fall. A
general European war in this year of 1854,
would leave many Of the governments Of
Europe without means Of quelling their own
subjects to continued subsection. The most
interesting aspect of this Turkish question is,
that it must involve the governments Of Eu-
rope in it's progress. and thus open door for
the freedom of the people of Europe. No
one can doubt that, were Russia humbled,
Austria alone cannot keep in subsection its
rebellious province Of Hungary. 1t was on
ly by Russian pressure that Hungary was
prevented by achieving freedom in its late
struggle Hungary free, Italy and Germany
would unite with it, and the powers of Aus
tria and Prussia would jade in their aim.
The aspirations Of the people of Europe are