The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-18

q Democracy has ceased to be an experiment
At the outbreak OF our own war the aristocrats
Of Europe declared that this government was q
failure. In The English House of Parliament 1t
was gravely announced that the bubble Of de-
moeracy had burst. The European journals
hypscritcaiiy lamented tie fraglity Of demo-
cratic Institutions, and congratulated their
readers upon the great superiority and imper-
'tuIbable stability OF monarchical governments
In point Of fact this nation is now only enduring
one Of those terrible tests to which all nations
arc, at some periods Of their history, subjected,
and from which they emerge stronger, purer and
better than before. There is no nation in history
which has not at some time or other experienced
a similar though less crnel crisis. II is al sort of
national sickness which follows Indulgence in
corruptions and excuses, but which can be
cured by the application of powerful medicines,
and will result in sound and improved nation
al health. Europeans, however, preferred to re-
gard this test as final verdict of failure, this
national sickness as national death. We have
reversed this verdict by sheer force of arms.
We have displayed such miraculous vigor and
developed such unparalleled resources that pre-
judice itself is conquered and detractioR has
does not raise and maintain an army of over
million of men and build and equip an iron
clad navy Of unprecedented proportions. De-
mocracy can no longer be pronounced fail
ure. It has demonstrated itself great and
glor ious success.
Hitherto Europe has been mere spectator Of
this test of democracy, and, though neither inn
partial nor unprecedented. has at least refraned
from an active participation in the war; Now,
however, the signs of the times indicate that
the struggle of the democracy OF the United
States has alphabetically affected the demo-
cracy Of the world, and that before long other
governments than our own will have to submit
to the crucial trials from which we are but just
emerging. The low groanings and mutterings
which announce the coming storm now reyer
berate ominously throughout Europe. Revolu-
tons are contagious. War engenders war. I'm
less all precedents fail and history ceases to
repeat itself, Europe cannot escape commissions
are but constituent parts of a great unit, which
we call the world. All governments are af
fected if one be disturbed. But, in addition to
this general principle, there ere special causes
for predicting connections in Europe as the
result Of our civil war. This is government
of the people, indicating its strength and estab-
fishing its right to claim equality with mon
arches and aristocracies by showing that it can
maintain its existence and its authority even
against rebellion Of unexampled magnitude
and resources. The people Of every country
are strengthened by this exhibition of our
strength Garibaldi is encouraged by our sue
cess. The attack upon Richmond suggests the
the strength of democracy weakens monarchi-
cal and aristocratic governments; because the
people no sooner feel that they are capable of
selfgovernment than they logically deduce
their right to rule themselves, and Immediately
clamor for power. Thus come all serious revo-
lutions. The success Of the government of the
United States has made republics possible all
over the world.
Events have fortuitously assisted in cmpha-
sizing and applying these great principles.
The aristocracy Of Europe have 80 loudly and
passionatsly asserted that democracy was .
failure that its success becomes al the more
remarkable in contrast with their predictions,
and the natural reaction which ensues causes
the people of Europe to distrust their rulers
and to exsggerate as greatly a. they had be-
fore been taught TO undervalue our powers.
Besides this, the failure Of our cotton supplies
and the passage Of our prohibitory tariff place
much Of the burden Of this war upon European
shoulders. The people Of the manufacturing
districts in Europe feel the weight of our trou-
bles in advance Of our own laboring classes,
who ind employment at high wages in our
armies; and by this time these people fully un-
derstand that their suferings are caused not so
much by our civil war a. by the ruinous and
mistaken policy Of their own governments
Europe can no longer disguise the fact that she
has talon the wrong side in our contest. Had
England and France given this government the
moral support which they have vouchsafed to
the rebels the war would have been over long
ago, with scarcely ripple upon the surface Of
international comfy, and with NO disturbance
in the interests Of trade, commerce or manufac-
ture. Instead Of this, Europe has chosen to
prolong the war by abettng the rebels, and
now the cotton famine RACES; the supply Of cot
ton will be exhausted in three or four months,
and we are without the means to relieve the dis
tress thus caused, for, comparatively, no more
cotton will be shipped from this country in
over year to come. The prohibitory tariff,
made necessary by TIE prolongation of the war,
deprives Europe of the great mar
ket for her manufactures. The Euro
pean politicians, therefore, in assisting
he rebels have only succeeded in harming
theif own people, and while attempting to
break up this government have but jeopardized
their own. The blundering, foolish, mistaken
policy Of England and France has resulted in
no advantage to the rebels in no detriment to
this country las the London Times understands