The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-20
THE AGE OF IRON.

To the humanitarian, to the philosopher, to |
the Christian, the present state of the leading |
race of mankind presents an aspect not merely
discouraging, but positively terrifying. From
the contents of the first page Of this paper the
reader can easily deduce sufficient knowledge
of things as they are and as they promise to be
in Europe to form ratiocinated idea Of the
convulsions that threaten it with probability
so strong as to merit the name of a certainty.
The very cradle of the Caucasian race, the
provinces of Northwestern Turkey, Bulgaria
Mol1avia and Wallschia are in open rebellion,
The great Servian city of Belgrade is again
the inceptive spot Of an insurrectionary war
that threatens to involve all Europe from Glib
ralter TO Archangel
In Italy the old PaPal question is revived
around the States of the Church, and "the
Church is stirred in protesting anger to its
very foundations, reused by the words of PIUs
almost into action.
In Russia, Rebellion with the torch in her
= hand rides triumphant over the ashes of the
finest cities of that great country. The Serf
and Boyard are entering on the long expected
hostilities which are doomed to rend TO pieces
the most extensive and most populous empire
of Europe. The affrighted Gear flies to an in
crease of his dapotism for that safety which
only more liberal exercise of power could be-
stow upon him.
Staid, scholarly Prussia is convulsed by the
struggling of her masses too enlightened for
their present government, and yet not sutfi-
GENTLY disciplined for pure freedom.
In and about France complaints are multi
plying. The country is terrified at its exPen-
diture, discomfort with the modicum of liberty
allowed it, and the press mutteringly hints
that its shaekles are wearing its vitality away,
and at Lucerne the Bourbon legtimists, aided
by "The Holy order of Jesus" are growing
strong, and menacing. Ex-kings and
Italian princes without principalities, Spanish
pretenders gather around the Due de Cham
bord watching the expedition into Mexico.
and waiting the long sought evacuation of
Rome. Ireland starves and half England
keeps her company. Everywhere the people
are outstripping their rulers, and everywhere
the latter are preparing TO cut each others
throats. Famine in the Wet, FIRE in the
East, slaughter in the center, such is the pic
ture Europe now presents to scken the heart
of man and shake his faith in human progress
The day has been, nor is it so long passed
that our children may not remember it, when
the evils of the old world were mitigated by
the hopes which played in golden halo round
the new. The day has been when the new
world could offer to the children of the old an
asylum from the coming horrors Of wars and
rebellions, security against the suferings O
famine, and freedom from all spiritual oppres
sion; giving wealth for industry, fame for ge
Mus, and power to desert.
But how is it now2 Can the Celt and Tea
ton turn from the coming chaos, to seek peac
and plenty in America Alas! the last asylum
the great reserve of nature, is herself torn b,
an internal broil as great as that which rend
her mothers womb Let us hope that ere tn
hosts of Europe cry havoc God win have be
slowed peace upon his people here, that b
will vouchsafe to free the youngest of his ma
tions, and again prepare her to receive the SUI
fering refugees of other lands. Let us wor
unto this end--eyen unto that Union wher
peace dwelt with plenty.
All seems dark and doubtful and the yer
airs we breath seem blood-scented, yet is Their
hope. We must not-we cannot forget tbs
sorrow and suffering are the price of wisdom
1t is often the greatest commissions of natur
which produce the richest valleys and ii
storm purifes the air into healthiness. Th
Union win be restored, the purer that priC
has been paid for it, and as holy thinkt
once remarked, that as Gods present was ev,
in the future, he worked by grief to the futui
sacrificing the Human Present so we say
the travail of our country may be butthe brit
pangs OF a glorious regeneration.