The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-17

great ponlcal reVolutlon. haise the CURTAIN
and let the play begin
THE DEMOCRATIC ELEMENT N THE FIELD IN
EvRopE.-It will be perceived, by a letter we
publish this morning from Paris, that the demo-
cratic leaders in Europe are awake and stirring.
They have agreed upon coalition with each
other, and on sort OF temporary alliance with
the royalst and legitimate parties of France.
Ledru Rollin is their chief; and under the fiery
Frenchman they confidently expect to play a
leading part in the great game European poll
tics. At the hour we write, in May, 1854, we can
not share their hope or regard it as likely to be
realized. In the midst of a European war,
when every government has large standing
armies at its CALL and national rivalry absorbs
for the while liberal aspirations, the chances of
European democrats seem to us more slender
than they have ever been since the reaction of
1S4S. If, indeed, the German Powers were to
take sides with Russia in spite of the obvious
Western leanngs Of the Prussian and Austrian
people, an appeal to democratic sympathes
might then be made with good effect by the
Emperor of France, and there would be a
IL
powerful European army. But, week after
week, the resistance Of the German Courts
against the people becomes weaker and weaker.
1t is quite possible even, should the war con-
tinue, that the pressure from their own subjects
may drive both the Prussian and the Austrian
governments into an actual alliance with the
Western Powers; and if this be the case, the
vocation of Ledru Rollin and his friends will
be gone. Whether or no, it is clear to us,
though it may not be so to them, that for the
present their most formidable movements will
be such as our correspondent describes.
Five or ten years peace and prosperity
would shake the governments Of Europe more
thoroughly than ten years war. Let France
thrive for this period of time under Louis Ma
poleon, and by its expiration, it will contain an
army Of young fellows thirsting for liberty
knowing nothing of the cost of revolutions and
determined to upset the Emperor. Give Ger
many time to recover thoroughly from the
spasms Of lsls and ls49, and on the Rhine and
the Danube. the cry of liberty will be sure to
resound before 1864. Spain is an illustration
in point. When Spain has been at war-when
her armies have been strong and her navies
pr0ud-her throne has been supported on the
necks of willing people. For many years
Spain has been at peace, and in consequence
her rulers have long felt that their position
was that of the spectator on the brink of vol
canos mouth. In 1s4S, the iron hand OF Mar
vaez repealed the insurgent band. In 1854,
who shall render Spain SO poor service?
With many of the leaders who assume to act
for the liberal party we have no sympathy or
fellow feeling whatever Idle, disappointed
men, who sought. in their battle for freedom,
power for themselves more than liberty for
their fellows; who, almost without exception,
committed the fatal blunder of rising in arms
without the means of commanding success;
many Of them were demagogues without strik-
ing courage or administrative talent; a great
portion of the exiled patriots who met
at London have no claim either to ho-
nor or confidence. There are some we know
among the number to whom this reproach
would not apply. Noble hearts are counted
among those whom the last six years have
driven from France, Germany, and Italy; and
we have not doubt but were circumstances
again to afford the democrats of Europe q
chance Of rising, noble deeds would shed lustre
on many name But the coalition between
the followers of Ledru Rollin aud the partsans
OF Berger and Guizot will not be classed in
that category. If the democrats of France lend
themselves to the Orleansts or the Legitimists
and overthrow the Emperor to set up a Kingin
his place, they viii not only damage their own
cause, but will inGct irreparable injury on
France. 1t is not possible that king ruling
in accordance with the fossil principles of the
old Bourbon dynasty could make France IS
prosperous and as contented as it<now is; and
Louis Napoleon, arbitrary as he undoubtedly
is, is nearer to republcauism than Henry V.
could be.
The liberals Of Europe must bide their time.
Events are slowly shaping themselves; but the
wisest cannot yet tell whether the war which
has now commenced is to resolve itself at last
into an honest contest Of principle or whether
it win be mere dynastic skirmish This point
must be decided before the reunions of the de-
mocratc leaders will acquire q tangible i'm
portance.
The VERDICT or THE CoURT MARITAL OK
MAJOR WYsE.-Considerab II crest IL felt in
the sub ect OF this verdict mauy peeple won