The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-26
For the National Era.
A SKETCH OF THE POLITICAL HISTORY
OF EUROPE,
From the Capitulation Of Paris, in 1914, till the
Present Time.
BY A FRIEND OF LIBERTY.


party politicians, where Justice and truth are
frequently sacrificed to the interests of indiyid,
uals and parties, and let us ascend to where the
Genius of History sits enthroned, asking for her
unerriRg guidance throughout our rapid survey
of the memorable struggle which, for the last
forty years, has been carried on in Europe, bs.
tween despotism and freedom.
1t is important to observe, that Napoleon
was forced to abdicate, not so much on account
of the fear which his ambition and his super
lative military and administrative talents in
spired in the allied princes, as because he was
no legitimate monarch, according to the opinion
of the advocates of hereditary and divine rights.
in consequence of the admiration which the
French nation felt for his genius.and brilliant
Deeds no forbearance was shown towards him
when misfortunes and treacheries had made
him dependent on princes pretending to WELD
their sceptres in virtue of divine appointment.
Notwithstanding the arbitrary rule which he
had exercised, and the services which he had
rendered to the cause Of princely power, they
viewed him as natural enemy, as child of
the people, and champion of democratic
equality. Hence, they were induced to repay
by the most fragrant ingratitude the generosity
with which he had treated them, when, in vir.
tue of victories, arbiter of their destinies.
Let it be remembered, that Napoleou-the
greatest prince and warrior of modern times
was conquered, not in consequence of any ex-
traordinary talents of the generals combined in
Europe, opposed to him, but by want of fortune,
as the immortal historian of the Peninsular
War, Major General Napier, remarks; or as
we would say, by combination of unfortunate
circumstances, in accordance with the decree
of Providence. The overthrow of this great
conqueror was accomplished by the patriotism
of the Spaniards, by the cold of Russia by the
immense superiority in number of the armies
which English gold, the hatred of the Musco-
vites, the misguided policy of Sweden, the
hope of liberty among the Prussians and the
treacheries of Austria and Bavaria, brought
against him, on every battlefield, during the
sver-memorable campaigns of 1913 and 1915
and, lastly, by the scandalous conduct of tho
Duke of Ragusa, who permitted himself to be-
led astray from the path of honor by the fluent
and false tongue of Talleyrand.
Soon after the dethronement of Napoleon,
the allied princes fastened to confer the crown
of France upon the oldest brother of Louis
XVI, who claimed it as his inheritance. and
to share between themselves the other nations
over whom the fallen hero had exercised do
minion-thus violating the promises which they
had made, during the preceding year, when
calling upon the Germans and other continent
al people to rise in arms against the terrible
legions which we're again carrying the impe-
rial eagles of France towards the Elbe and the
Oder.
Prince Louis Stanislaus Xavier Bourbon,
raised to the throne of France by the victorious
enemies of Napoleon, had the presumption TO
call the first year of his reign the nineteenth
thus claiming that he had commenced to reign,
de juye, already, in 1895, when the death of his
nephew, the son of the unfortunate Louis XVI,
was alleged to have taken place; and who,
though never acknowledged as king by the
French people, was now represented as having
been the ruler of France, under the name of
Louis XVII. The impudence and folly of Louis
XVIII, in thus insulting the chivalrous nation
whose king be had become, by the aid of for
eigners, are evident. But, as if this outrage
had not been enough to rouse the indignation
of the French, he declared that the charter, or
constitution, by which his power was to be-
limited within certain bounds, was voluntary
gift of his, which the French had no right to
claim.
The peace of Paris-signed on the 3Oth of
May, 1914, by all the belligerent Powers except
Spain-stipulated that, within two months, a
Congress should assemble at Vienna, to reeu-
late, upon a solid foundation, the political az
fairs Of Europe. After some delay, that mem
orable Congress met finally, in the end Of Sep
TENDER and in the beginning Of October.
Rolteck remarks, that, considering the eleva-
ted positions of its members, and the import
ance of its transactions, 10 other Congress in
the whole history of the human race-not even
that of Westphalia-is to be compared with
that of Vienna.
1.-TWO emperors, four kings, the first minis
tiers and statesmen of nearly all the European
States, an innumerable multitude of agents Of
different princes, cities, families, and indvdu-
ais, assembled in the imperial capital of Aus
tria, to establish n fundamental principle for
public law and the political system of Europe,
as well as TO settle definitely a multitude of
particular differences. Europe-nay, the whole
civilized world-directed its looks to Vienna,
from whence such great decisions were to
come"
But though this Congress possessed the pow
er to make itself blessed by the nations of Eu-
rope, it did not respond to its high mission
sacrificing the happiness of the millions to the
grasping ambition and avarice of the few.
The wishes and the rights of the European
people were considered of no Importance, in
with the claims and demands Of
the princes, some of whom asked for aggrand.
izement, others for Naturalization, and others
again for re-establshment. Never were nations
treated more openly, and with less reserve, as
the property of princes, than by the Congress
of Vienna.
Nevertheless, the rich spoils which were 10
be divided did not prove sufficient to satisfy
the cupidity of the chief members of the Con-
gress among whom, consequently, such vio-
lent dissensions broke out, as to cause great
apprehension Of a general war, which "were
barely hushed only by the sacrifice of every
princi pie of justice and consistency"
At the opening of the Congress, the objects
of deliberation were distinguished into the aE
fairs of Europe and those Of Germany.
Of the European affairs, the most important,
in the eyes of the Congress, was to satisfy the
ambitious claims Of Russia, Austria, aud Prus-
sia-which Powers appropriated to themselves
the chief merits of the overthrow of Napoleon.
To Russia was awarded the principal part of
the Grand Duchy Of Warsaw, established by the
dethroned Emperor of France, as an acknowl-
edgment of the Just claims of the Poles to indie
pendence, and as an evidence of his esteem and
gratitude towards those of that gallant nation
who had covered themselves with imperishable
glory, while fighting inthe republican and i'm.
perial armies of France.
A small portion of the Grand Duchy of War
saw was conceded to Prussia, which also receiv-
ed two-fifths of Saxony, that kingdom being dis
membered, as a punishment for the fidelity its
venerable monarch had evinced towards his ben.
elactor, the exiled Napoleon. Prussia claim
ed at first the whole of Saxony, but, being
opposed by England, Austria, France, and Ba-
varia, she had to accept as compensation con-