The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-04-27
what Hone ror Europe !

Peace reestaollehed, Russia haviA8 re-
nounced at least for the present the designs
which have 50 long sgitsted Europe, France
eager for industry, England anxious to employ
her capitalize whole world, in abort, ready
to make the most Of the cessation Of hostilities,
what can prudent man safely hope for the
Continent which has just been fcolng away its
energies In war? We do not remember any
time at which there were more incentives
towards lasting peace operating simulta-
neously in Europe, than there are to-day. No
one has any interest in q new war. Russia has
had enough; France is hard up, and after all
her boosted military system is giving way.
En- gland has learned enough from the Crimean
report to suffer much before again committing
her honor to the care Of her nobility. Germa-
ny has been risking ruin for the sake Of re-
naming ct peace. With the single exception
of the diplomatists, who are trying very hard
to get up breeze which shall watt their per
ons into some coveted situation or other,
everybody in Europe is engrossed by one single
thought, and that is how to make use of the
peace.
1t is easy TO point out various ways in which
it may be turned to account. None of the In
situations of any part of the world are perfect;
and though Europeans might not perhaps see
as many faults in their institutions as
Americans, they would still admit, unless
| they belonged to the most hardened
school OF conservatives that they are sus-
ceptible of improvement Much may be
| done towards iberalizing the church. It
| ia most remarkable feature of our present
civilization that the church alone, which is, or
ought to be, the highest product of the cul.
| tivsted intellect, has made no progress since
the Reforms alton. Since Luther split Christen-
dom, and the one half reformed because that
| was their banner, while the other half reform
| ed to save themselves, the church has remained
| absolutely at stand still. Science has grown,
learning has become common, politics have
been humanized, every branch Of art and mon
| tai Developer ent has been advanced, but rel
| gon has stood precisely where it was two hun
| dred years ago. This we say rot of one
| church alone, but Of the whole Christian COM
munity. Hence it follows that France, Prus
| sia and the German cities contain but few men
| of education and intellect who are believers.
The whole is rejected because part is obso-
lete. Men in this country have been retained
within the church by forms of Christianity, or
at least of worship SO loose that he must be Q
skeptic indeed whose belief would be shocked
| by their prejudices. But in Europe they have
not had this resource. A little tact on the part
| of the clergy both Protestant and Catholic
would suggest the humanizing of their reli
gious systems, SO as to extend the pale of the
church by widening its gate. Will this be
done?
The legislative assemblies of Europe
have not power enough. In 1915 the
| cry in Germany was for constitutions,
| and at that time many monarchs, In
| GLIDING Alexander of Russia, thought we'll OF
| granting them. Before 1923 not vestige
| of what had been gained by or after the treaty
| of Vienna remained. In 1880 and 1913 the
| got fair one, Spain had had one for ten
| years, Belgium had one, Prussia got one. and
| 60 did Sardinia and some Of the lesser German
States. How does the account stand now?
Belgium, Sardinia and Spain appear to be the
| sole representatives of liberal institutions on
| the Continent. France has lost her free legis-
lative emily, 20 has Prussia, 80 have the
| German States under Austrian control. in
Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Germany gene
rally; in the Two Sicilies, the Papal Domi
Mons, Lombardy, Portugal and France, the
| people have no direct or controlling influence
| over legislation lie this as it ought to be, and
| will anything be done to mend it?
The FIRST instrument in the education of a
| people for liberty is the press. 1t has been
| said that free press cannot exist without pro-
ducing liberty; we doubt whether liberty
could be realized at the present day without a
free press. There is no free press in Europe,
except at London, in England. The English
press, mainly led by the London Tines, while
1t is occasionally i'll informed and seemingly
mschieyous, is on the whole the safest ally
that liberty has in Europe. In the long run,
and temporary considerations of expedi
ency or insular prejudice Laid aside, the
London Times will be found to be q
reliable democratic organ. 1t is aristocra-
tic and Snonarchical, and the Lord knows what
besides when it omits its purpose TO rail at this
country; but in European affairs in dealing
| with the Austrian questions, or the French
question, or other kindred topics Of interest it
is pretty sa-e to be oftener on the side of truth
and right and humanity than opposed to
| them. But It is obvious that the London Times
will have enough to do at home with the ne
cessary reforms in the British system; while
again, popular movement cannot be con-
Quoted by journal in foreign language.
There must be continental journals as able as
the Times if any thing is to be done well and
solidly for the liberties of Europe.
This question intertwines with another. If
the young men of France and Germany are
to INACCURATE a new political system, more
just to che masses, and more favorable to hu-
manity, they must be men of deeds, not words
For the last thirty veA~a the mon who hQ 20