Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-28
EUROPE IN A TRANSITION STATE.

lt rom the fhlladelphia Ledger
Ii is now moro than two centuries since IN,
great English rebellion first stirred the ele-
ments in the political cauldron of Eurone n,
is nearly two-thirds Of q century since TIE
French revolution shook society 10 It's founda-
nons over the whole continent Even the most
careless observer Of historical events l. satisfied
that mighty changes are in progress: that the
knell Of feudalism, aristocracy and cI ass Iegis-
lation, has been sounded. But there are few
who venture 10 predict the end. We shall not
attempt to be prophetic, where 20 MANY of IN,
wlsest shrink back, but nevertheless a rand
summary OF past facts may throw light on
coming eventualities.
If we study the course Of events since what
IS called the dark ages vanished we shall find
that the general result has been a weakeninc,
OF the aristocratic element in society. The
feudal era found the few paramount and the
many slaves. There were lords and yassaIs
but no middle class. There were kings in
name, but not in fact. The real power vss
the castle, and not the throne. Hugh Capet.
the founder of what afterward became the
bourbon dynasty, was but the first of the
French bsrOns. In Germany, even up 20 our
own time, the Emperor was elected by few
Oligarehs, and this while the laboring popula-
ton had really no rights. Except when the
church interfered against oppression, the peo-
pie had no protection from outrage or wrong.
The monarch was either the tool or the victim
OF the arlstocracy. The masses were inyaria-
bly, its slaves.
The breaking up Of these feudaI tyrants has
been the mission, so 70 speak, of the last FIVE
centuries 1t began almost simultaneously in
England and France. The policy Of Louis
Al. In the latter, and the wars of the Roses
In the former, gave the aristOcraey blow from
which they never entirely recovered Henry
Viii, despot as he is considered, was a tyrant
only to the oligarehy, fact which explains his
being popular idol. In England, the reyo-
luton of l6SS restored the nobility 10 a chief
portion of their power, which they have sue
ceeded in retaining, in a great measure, to
the present day, though now il is evidently
totterlng to Its fall. In France, Richelieu
completed the destruction of the political i'm
portance of the aristocracy, though much OF
their privileges and a portion of their iuhu-
ence survived the fau Of the Bastile. The
revolutions which haa been thus going on for
several generations in France and England.
began In the last century 10 show their appear
ance sll over Europe. The policy of Austria
has been TO break down the nobility, to rem
der them mere pageants. TO leave 10 power in
The state but an absolute monarch. Under
this poiIcy she fomentod the serviie iasuryec-
uons In Gallicia, and subseQ Quently governed
herself n her conduct toward Hungary. The
Russian Czars, In a similar manner, are on
deayoring to sap the strength Of the Bayars
- AHSe4a, NDc Sndhge ude alretQy taken
place, so that the king has nothing 10 fear
from bis mobiles. Throughout Europe, there
ferr, the transition is taking place, or has al
ready taken place. from the rule Of feudal
aristocracy to that OF q nearly irresponsible
monarch
tor, a. yet, the ma5ses have gained compar-
ative little political power, however niuch
their influence and their social condition has
been improved In England, the government
Is still aristocratic, but il is one that cOntinu.
ally widens its base, and thus, in time, the
whole people will probably gain their rights
In France, where power as yet oscill ates be-
tween despotism and anarchy, little has been
secured, except the eXtirpation Of aristocracy
and the recognition Of popular suffrage. In
dallicia and Hungary, the masses have OBJ
tanned no political advantages but they have
been generally elevated from the condition Of
serfs to freemen, with the addition of being
made owners In fee Of small farms. Even in
Russia, the peasantry have been enabled TO
improve their condition, in consequence Of the
struggle going on between the Czsr and the
mobiles. While In Prussia, the educational
system, extorted from the throne, under the
pressure of national slavery, has elevated the
people to a platform, from which, sooner or
later, they can achieve their independence.
We consider the system Of sbsolutisn in
Europe, as at present existing, ss only a tran
sltion to a better state Of things. 1t was ne
cessary TO destroy the aristocrscy and create
a middle class before the masses could rise TO
freedom. The means by which this has been
effected have varied in different countries, but
the result has been, or will be, the same sub
stanually. The old ground had TO be cleared
OF before the new race could be run. We
have full confidence that the result will be, in
time, glorious success for liberty.