New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-26
AMERICAN sNFEUENCE ABBOAD.

AMERICAN sNFEUENCE AEBOAD.
II is generally admitted in Europe that the
United States, ever siuce their recognition as
an independent power, have not ceased to ex-
ercise an immense influence on the political,
moral, and social condition OF European soci.
city. Ideas entirely novel came through them
into circulation respecting the nature Of State
Governments, aud have since left the trace OF
their influence in tie history Of nearly every
European State. It is, in particular, two great
principles, which, in the strle Of parties still
agtstiog oil Europe, are pointed out BY both
friend and foe "a American notions, ard have
gained on the one hand the highest admiration,
and on tho other tho bitterest opposition.
These principles are, the recognition OF inalien.
able rights for every human being and the
equality of political rights for every citizen,
and. ia tho second place. tue separation between
Church and State.
Until the establishment Of the United States
the Constitutions of Europe did not recognize
the nationality OF certain rights Of every
human individual. They were mere agreements
betweu Prince and people extorting from the
princes some concesslonsin behalf OF the people,
but rarely. if ever, deducing them from the in
nate rights Of every human being. This higher
ground, taken for the first tnso by tine founders
OF tho American Republic served to the Re-
formers OF Europe Us guide aud model. The
immortal principles OF the French revolution Of
1889, WINCH, in opposition to the aroltrarness OF
princey dcspots, and the fanatcsl narrowmind-
cdnesS OF powerful aristocracy, inausurated
tire reign of Democratic principles, were the
hrst oGshoot Of the great truths, underlying
the American Constitution. Since then, II has
been the constant effort OF the roiornatory aud
progressive party of Europe to secure the
fruit Of their agitation b. new cOnstltu-
tioDs, based upon the recognition of iuslenablc
human rights. Most of these efforts have been
ory partially and temporarily successfully but
yet immense progress haS been made in the right
direction, and during the past year, in particu.
lar, tho strength OF the pure democratic party,
wnich ia charged by its opponents with the de-
sire ~ Americanze The European States, ana
which IN opposition to these charges, freely ad-
mits its admiration OF the principles embodied
in tie American Constitution, has agliu greatly
increased
In the gradual and steady change Of the
relation between Church and STATE, tho in
naenee OF American principles is still more
apparent AZ tue end OF tho last century
but few European countries enjoyed fun reIig
ions liberation, and not q single one had
Acknowledged the right Of every man to wor-
ship God according 10 The dictates OF his own
conscience. Every one had privileged State !
Church, whose interestit was to perpetuate tie
reign Of religious intolerance. Since then, o great
change has been effected. Nearly every State
has made concessions TO toe principle Of relig-
ious liberation. In many, all the citizens,
without any distinction US tosthe creed which
they profess. have been placed on an equality
before tie law. In all, the party demand
ing the abolition Of tie privileges accorded
by law TO Que or several denominations is
rapidly Increasing IN strength and the State
Churches are horrided at the apparently newt 7
able Americanza;on of the relation between
Church and State.
II is therefore natural that the princes, tho
and the State churches all through /
Europe are our determined enemies. Our exam. I
plc threatens 10 undermine al their privileges. /
They have always been anxiou5t 10 raise suspicion /
as 70 the sincerity OF our principles, and to I
question the prosperity OF our condition.
Every one who has The slightest acquaintance /
with European Institutions or European So /
ciety knows how efficient lever for this pur-
pose American Slavery has hitherto been .
Thousands aud tens of thousands, who ad- |
mired the lofty recognition OF inalionable per- |
,onal rights, BY the American Constitution,
did not know how to dispute with the writer's
on America the assertion, that the abesors OF
the worst Kind of human oppression could not
bo genuine democrats and true apostles OF hui
man progress. But for Slavery, the influence
of American institutions upon Europe would
have been hundred times more powerful aid
efficient. Let Slavery disappear from among
us, and soon every friend Of progress through .
out Europe Will point with pride to the Ameri |
can Constitution as the model Constitution of
a free people.
Who we hope that this may be one of the
effects Of our ciyi! war, IT is interesting to OBJ
serve that at this moment, another of the grand
divisions of the world Asia, begins to be bone
fitted by American influence. OF late years
nearly every country of Asia has realised tho IS
ol,.ad ,os;t;o, in ,,hich they hnva remainsd