New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-11-24

of European nstons. They have exhausted the
financial resources, destroyed or vastly disturbed
the domestic economy aud busbandy Of every
great and small state, have formed the props of
absolutism and despotism, and generally aunibi-
lated morals in the SOCIAL and sexual relations.
From the beginning Of the sixteenth century, from
the period of Charles V. who seconded by sew
eral Popes, sought to dominate over all Western
Europe and establish q prepODdersnce for tho
House of Austria, this practical malsdictiOD has
been frightfuly increasing. Larger States keeping
bodies Of troops, have forced smaller ones to do
the same. When, too, religious reforms were in
augurated, Protestant States were obliged to main
tain standing armies to defend freedom of con-
science, aud their political independence integrated
with it. This twofold danger seemed to end by the
middle Of the seventeenth century, through the
celebrated treaty Of Westphslis; and was soon
followed by the hand TO- hand duel for supremacy
between the House Of Austria and France and BY
some smsller ambitions, such a. that Of the Swe-
dish house of Wass. This confasraton, with
brief reposes extended from Audalusia to the from
tiers OF Poland; the latter country in turn fighting
at the same time with Tartsrs, Russians, Swedes,
and Turks, while the OttOmans obliged the eastern
eide ofthe German Empire ofthe Republic of Venice
to defend themselves. Ts what history calls tho
ambition Of Louis XIV succeeded in the course Of
the eighteenth century, the ambition and grsediDe"
of England, especially shown during the Premier
ship Of the great Chatham, in attempts to destroy
the maritime preponderance of Spain, France asd
Holland and to SEIZE az least partially, their trans
oceanic possessions. Cotsmporaneously with this
was the ambition Of the newly formed House Of
Prussia, emipently active under Frederick the
Great, and that Of Russia in the remote north east
ern part Of Europe. But of sudden the sacred
FIRE of social emancipation burst forth in France,
frightening the guilty despots and the civil and
clerical srstocrats Of the European world. Tho
altar of regeneration was then to be leveled, and
thus the conspiracy Of kings evoked the Insured.
tiOnary lava. France attacked, the revolution
was finally incarnsted Extensively in Napoleon and
Europe became an immense battlefield, from the
mouth Of the Tsgus to the burning walls OF
Moscow.
The pacificstion Of Europe in 1915 was NOT fol-
lowed by any real disarmament. On ono side the
growing ambition and overweight Of Russia, on tho
other the nations of Europe cheated Of their Iiber.
ties, obliged their terrified rulers to maintain large
standing armies Alexander l. Of Russia, aad
above all, Nicholas, during their whole reigns,
transformed the entire country into one immense
military camp, brisslng with wrath, where drill and
drums made night and day hideous. With the
organization Of reserves and other msnipulatous of
the public service, about one in fifty of the whole
population Of the empire belonged to the military.
Ibis menacing establishment seemingly made it
duty for other Governments to be ready to repel
Cossack inyasioss.
Hitherto Russia has been accused By publcists Of
forcing upon other States an exhaustive military
organization. Now contrary impulse aud exam
pie are given by her. Alexander H., in disbandiug
43O eattaiOns Of infantry and about 100 squsdrons
OF regular cavalry, has reduced his army in all to
less than three eighths Of its former number. The
dread Of Russia can 10 longer decensly form plea
| for other sovereigns TO Cypress their subjects.
Loun Napoleon reduces the military budget
by two and a half million dollars-an Insignificant
reduction II compared with the broad measure of
Alexander ii. The Austrian Minister unsaccess.
| fully supphcstes and adjures his Kaiser and col
leagues TO reduce the army and save that empire
from bankruptcy. But the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs and of War answer with psremptOry No
pointing to Sardinia, Italy and Hungary Eugand
too owing to her Indian troubles arms her militia
| end increases her forces.
This action on the part of Alexander II. induces
us to believe that he is the frat from among long
lie OF Cars. who understands truly the character
of bis people. Hitherto, every nation existing in
history has sword in hand established her political
and geographical condition. Russia has acted like