Smyrna times., 1861-05-16

shoulders rests the ultimate burthens OF Gov
ernment England, the most enlightened and
LIBERAL of monarchies, has been and still is en-
gagged in extending the privileges and promo
ting the interests of her working classes. She
Is now dealing with the great questions of uni
VerSal suffrage, the reduction of her pension
lists, the diffusion Of education, and the eleva-
tion of the masses.
France, though under the dictation of a sim
gle villa dietation based upon the immense
popularity Of the man who wieIds it's still.
In her theory ofgoverRment and constitutional
enactments making long strides in a career
OF liberalism. Prussia, by the adoption OF the
hGOeGS corpus, the trial by jury, and her sys-
tenn OF free educaton-all the results OF gen.
eraton-has moved a vast way forward. In
Russia, the system of serdom has fallen before
the march of liberalism. Austria has been
compelled to grant a constitution, compara-
lively liberal guarantees, to her empire and
her provinces. In Italy, the great world move
ment has eliminated in revolution, and the re-
generation of people. All over Europe is
sounding the note of preparation for new move
ments in favor of liberalism. Underlying and
lmpelling forward this current of events, is the
great fact OF a constant struggle between pop.
uar rights and despotic sway-a struggle that
mas been going on for decades, kept alive and
s'rengthe by the genius and spirit of the
age IN which we live. Even in Mexico, that
unhappy country, given over almost to anarchy
pIundered by demagogues, and deluded by a
bigoled and corrupt priesthood, we can trace
the spirit of liberalism, striving for the eman-
cIpatioH of the millions, the enlghtening and
upbulldlng OF the masses who work.
In this country the conflict is intensified
because here, more than anywhere else in the
wide world, is the difference between the op-
posing forces more distinctly marked, more
deeply appreciated, and in more immediate
contact. On the one hand is an educated en-
lghtened freedom that verges upon license,
and on the other hand despotism, in theory
al least, whatever its practical workings may
be, the mightiest and meanest that the sun or
the stars ever shown upon. These two ever.
lasting antagonisms have been approaching
each other for haIf century, and are at last
standing face to face, with all their passions
aroused, and their blood up. The two systems
OF civilization so antipode in everything are in
immediate collision. The one recognizing in
all men, OF whatever race, lineage or COLOR
inalienable rights as men, conceding to all the
free enjoyment of life, liberty and the pursuit
OF happiness, regarding these great truths not
as rhetorical distractions. but as articles of
living faith. The other, based, upon the lib
erty and domination of one race, sustained by
the degradation and enslaying of another :;
having for its leading axiom freedom for the
white man-savery Tor the black. A struggle
for supremacy between these two systems was
inevitable. Sooner or later, if they continued
to exist. it was sure to come. The fathers of
the Republic saw it looming in the distance.
Washington, Jefferson, Madison, all the great
and wise men of our heroic age saw it, and
treInbled for their country when it should come.
They hoped for its avoidance through the vol.
unt'ry action ofthe States They looked to
emancipation, through The agency of the State
soyercigntes, as the only means of averling
an ultimate conflict which would conyulse to
it's centre the Government they founded, if it
did not upheave it from it's deep foundations.
Who was right, or who wrong, who may be
guilty or who innocent of the immediate
causes which precipitated this conflict upon
US, il is bootless now TO inquire. The evil
time dreaded by our fathers is present with US
and we must meet it as best we may. One
great fact is however patent to the world, and
it should cheer US to the performance of all
our duty. The free States are everywhere loy-
al 10 the ConstitutioD-true to the Union In
no spot or corner of any of seventeen States
where Slavery does not exist is there IN apol-
ogist OF secession, and upholder of rebellion or
revolution. Whatever there Is of disloyaltv
to the CONSTITUTIONS whatever of conspiracy
!, against the Union-whatever of the spirit of
REBELLION against the Republic looking to it's
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, or seeking it's overthrow-is
8 to be found only south of the line that sepa-
!, rates the free from the slave States.
!, The struggle, however, Is not, on the part
on the North, for the overthrow of slavery. 1t
is not a war for emancipation. 1t is not an at.
= tack upon the institutions of the South. With
. slavery in The States the North has nothing to
dO-clalmS no IlRht 10 interfere, ana VIII not
voluntarily interfere with it there. But the
. North, the East and the West will defend the
d Constitution,-wll uphold the Union. The
millions of the free States have resolved that
this Republic shall not be overthrown The
march of armies is not promotive of the safety
Of slavery, and if, as Incident to this struggle
W forced upon the loyal States, the institution
70 shall perish, so be it. We are drifting upon
!, the currents of destiny under the control OF
y power higher than human agencies. The
e path of duty is plain and we must follow it out.
y wherever it may lead, or whatever the end
u may be. If the mad spirit which precipitated
{, this conflict shall perish before the march OF
Liberalism, and the cause of our troubles be
10 swept away by the onward movement Of the
j. age-a movement which we cannot control and
8. do not choose to resist, be it 40 We shall in.
n dulge in no regrets, be troubled with no CON-