The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-06-28
Kossuth and Mazzini.


In all revolutionary movements which
have proved unsuccessful, whether social,
or political, the causes of failure,
as it seems to us, can be philosophically
discussed and demonstrated. 1t is a
mighty work to change the character of
any people Political leaders, generally,
however, appear to think that, if the
FORM or system of agovernmentbe changed,
the first, if not the great fundamental step
has been taken to secure liberty, AND hap
piness Every man of moderate expert
ence and ordinary sagacity, knows, never
theless, that liberty-meaning freedom
from outward control and restraints,
in many cases, the source of great dan
gers and fruitful in disasters to those not
prepared to enjoy liberty. The nature of
man is such that he requires LAW of
some sort for his guidance, as an individ-
ual, as an integral part of social and
civil body or state. If men do not get
these laws from the statute book of the
great Lawyer of Heaven and Earth, by
which to regulate their evil impulses, and
discipline their wild thoughts, and then
bear to them such true allegiance as to
carry them out practically in all their re-
lations of ife-what then? Why, it is
very clear that human laws must be en-
acted and enforced by stringent penalties,
to form and preserve society in all its va
ried phases Now, the more mankind are
governed by these internal laws, the more
they are "a law unto themselves" the
less need there is for any other sort of
laws; and so being at liberty, these ex-
ternal, legal restraints become not only
unnecessary, but positively injurious to
society and to the world. 1t is very clear
then, that the first step in the preparation
of people for the enjoyment of political
liberty, is to enlighten their minds as to
what is true, morally and civilly, and then
by a humble and sincere obedience in
their life to the truth, to ignore, and vir-
tually repeal all despotic, arbitrary and
conventional laws and regulations.
AS doctrine is the harmonious cohe-
renee and unity Of variety of simple
truths-it is the practical FORM or syste m
thereof be it religious creed political
constitution, or civil code. In this
sense, then, FORM is important, to any
government, but it is an empty box until
filed with the spirit and truths that are to
animate and give it practical life and di-
rection.
If this be true philosophy then it is
not, certainly, wise procedure to get the
FORM or system first, before there is any
thing to give it an appropriate life and
practical purpose and end. First make
the people truly free, and then change
in the form of government, to give the
best adaptation to the national thought
and heart will be easy All effort to found
Republics or free States, mnst ever be
abortive, without the inevitable condition
precedent to which we have very briefly
adYerted
Both Kossuth and Mazzini are types of
two classes of reformers, though not very
distinct or well defined representative
men. MAzzINI, we take to be a wild
an impracticable abstractionist,
80 full of self conceit as to leave no room
for anything true and good; having really
no more to do with the revolutionary
storm, than the rain drop which gives
prismatic ray to the heat and light of the
great luminary.
KossUrH admits himself, in his late
speeches before English audiences, that
he is very much changed. Calm reAec-
ton vivifed by sincere love for national,
useful liberty, has given him glimpses Of
new political philosophy. A wise
and ever-ruling Providence selects the
instruments of divine justice, and not
Kossuti who he has learned, must sub
nit to be an humble worker, and to some
extent, blind instrument in shaping the
destinies of nations. He appears to be
COgnizant of part, of that great truth, that
evil is the most powerful and effective
agent for the destruction of the evil and
the false, while truth, directed by good
ness, is the appropriate instrument to fill
the waste and reconstruct new edifce,
be it social, political, or ecclesiastical.
10 Napoleon III, the work of overthrow
ing the despotism of Austria, may be al
loted, and to guide and uphold for time;
and then to others In the future, the more
glorious work to germinate the seeds and
develop the fruit The finite cannot com.
prehend the infinite.