Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-07-26
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THE 0ALA&Ch VI IuW6A.
Some persons who perhaps have saarc OF
The cacsssas seritsaai thun knowledge 10
write sen SHY on the subjects which they
attempt 10 discuss, essay to ridicule the Idea
tina, the Allies should be approved Tor light
ing to maintain the "aa'snce OF power IN
Europe. No one acquainted with European
history can deny that the doctrine OF that
balance has always been leading one in
the estimation Of the beat and ablesi states
men OF that continent, and but few peor!e
viii refuse to admit the proper weight OF
the facts BY which that doctrine has been
iilus,rated aud justified. The opposite idea
Of the lalancc Of power. is that OF untver-
e,l empire, aud the history of Europe shows
some instances in which an attempt was
made towards the attainmen, OF that KIND
Of universally. Charlemagne more neafis
accomplished i, than any other European
parsonage, though At his. death. MS over
grown empire divided itself into Its na'uFai
eub.dyisions. Louis the Fourteenth at
tempted to establish similar supremacy
and BY crossing the Purposes aud defeating
the plans os that vain and ambitious mon
arch, William the Third entitled himself to
the lasting gratitude OF ali succeeding gem
erstions. Napoleon Bonaparse also tried
TO make himself the supreme ruler OF Ea-
rope. and We have always approved and ap-
p!saded England for the successful oPposi-
lion xhch she made to his ambitious SELF
ishness.
The presen, war was commenced BY the
Gar of Russia for the purpose OF acquiring
prepouderasing influence in European at
fairs. 1t is not true, as has been very RE-
oueutly stated, that the allied efforts OF
France and England are made in order to
.ustair the tottering power Of the traditions
nv enemy OF christianity. The war IS Wa
red for the svowed and plain purpose Oh
preventing Russia from becoming the aFoi-
tress aud direc,ress OF European civilization.
II matter Of regretful surprise that any
persons who speak the language o. Hamp-
den and Locke, should prefer that the future
history of Europe should be moulded IN
Cossaok pattern. The real cause OF the
difference which has been exhibited by Eu-
ropean and Asia,ic history, is that this ridi-
culed idea has been the balance wheel that
regulated the movements Of the former con-
tinenl, while Asia, for period whereo! the
memory o. imam runs not to the contrary, has
been the victim Of each successful adventu-
rer who has been favored by fortune in es-
ssslishing temporary despotism in that
unfortunate portion Of the world.
Nor is the doctrine Of balance Of power,
by any means confined to the history Of Eu-
rope. II is al this moment existing in The
fuiIes, vitality in the United States. The
small States OF Delaware aud Rhode Island
individually balance New York and Penn
sylrania in the United States Senate, and
the same arguments which supper; those
weaker members of our coniederaey in hav-
ing an equal voice in our national eoun-
els, would also resist the attempts OF any
European nation to acquire an undue supre-
macy over The others. The question indeed
is too plain to require the citation Of proofs
of its correctness, and We have ne hesitation
in expressing our decided conviction that
the doctrine of the balance of power has
been the m ain cause which has made the
history OF Europe TO differ from that of the
other continents Of ihe old world.