The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-03-05
The Era Of RevoluttonS-Eur
Rcon POlitics-The German0.
Danish Question.

The Era Of Revoluttons-Euro
pcon P0litics-The GermanO.
Danish Question.
Standing at one point Of the world, and
surrounded entirely by the atmosphere Of
our own times, we are apt to imagine tina,
the events OF our own day are Of greater
magnitude than they really are, and por-
tend changes greater than will really hap
pen. Notwithstanding this, there are signs
indicate great changes. We have means
OF judging Of this, that are not confined TO
our own times, events or country. we
have the history Of thousands OF years, in
various nations, and full accounts OF great
changes, which, like the deluge, broke up
the foundations of society. We know what
consequences followed; and we have the
reasoning faculties which follow out the
parallel and can perceive, at least, some OF
the signs which portend revolutions. There
have been four periods Of the world, when
great revolutions have taken place, in both
political and social structures; when the
great Assyrian Empire, with its adjuncts
Of Modes and Persians was overwhelmed
with all it's forms and usages; when the
Greek Republics, which had produced the
most brilliant minds, were overwhelmed
by the rising empire of Rome; when that
empire, which had conquered nearly all
the known world, was itself overthrOwn
by Cloths and Huns; and when Feudalism,
which had borne complete sway during
seven hundred years, was broken down
substantially by the commissions Of the flf-
teenth and sixteenth centuries. These
~verthrowswereIallp roductive ofnew ideas,
not always acting in the same mode or In
the same directions; but creating neW forces,
which TIE old aeerc unable to resist. Is there
any such process going on now? There
certainly is; but how far it will CONFUSE
cannot be known whether the governing
classes in Europe or Asia, may be induced
with wisdom enough to meet anticipated
revolutions by timely reforms. The revo-
luton going on in our country could oe
avoided only in one way. There is natu-
raj and inevitable antagonism between tree
and slave labor, which must result IN .
final, fatal conflict, unless avoided by the
gradual removal Of the cause. This was
fully stated by Mr.. Lincoln, in his speech
1T the Cooper Institute, the ablest political
speech Of the last twenty years; because
analyzing all the elements at issue, and
coming to the necessary and unavoidable
conclusion that this country could not re-
main half slave and half free. There was
one way to avoid the conflict-to have an
ticipated the final abolition of slavery, and
sought FIRST to make it gradual; and Sec
Ondly, to obtain remuneration. There is
not the least doubt that the great body of
the people would have conceded both these
points prior to the war; but, with a fatu-
ity, which seems almost miraculous, the
slavekolding interest both social and
political took the exact way to ter
inmate Slavery, violently and suddenly.
Who can say that it is not on the whole the
best? Folly has accomplished what wis
dom would not have undertaken. But fer
whom is this revolution? Is it for this
country alone? Has it no influence be-
yond this Continent? Slavery was the on
" thing which rendered the Republican
example of the United States imperfect
1t was the only thing charged against us
by Europe. This removed, with what
tremendous power will this example tell
upon the world. The great battle in this
country is fought for the world and for all
time. And what is this example, this bat
tie, this issue? 1t is the simplest Of all
things, and the easiest understood. 1t is 10
make the fundamental principles Of all
Governments, the principles laid down in
the Gospel: that men should do unto others
as they you'd that others should do unto
shem. This is the primary principle of!
justice, and till Governments are founded
on justice, there will be no peace. Politi-
cally, it means all men equal before the Tao.
Does this mean social equality? Nothing
of the sort. It is the right Of all men to
choose their own company and be respon-
sible for it. That is their natural right
But where is there country but our own
which pretends to equality before the law ?
There is not a square mile of territory in
Europe which pretends to any such thing.
Hence it is that Europe is involved in per-
petual wars, and must be. What is setting
Europe together by the cars about petty
German principally? Because they will
neither do justice nor let others do it. a
despo,ic Prince-the King of Denmark
wants to liberalize the feudal institutions
NH nh lam s1~x1
TACT, and his attempt is resisted by the
very people who, OF all, ought to aid his
efforts. How car we account for such
things? How can we account for our
Southern rebellion? Only by that f0tuity
with which it has pleased God to visit the
governing powers Of mankind, when they
were pursuing career OF wrong and OPP
preston. 1t is the folly which precedes a
fall. Europe is covered, as we have said,
with the remnants OF barbarism. And
they are not merely remnants. They are
passive but gigantic barriers against the
progress of liberal institutions. They are
found everywhere, in every form. An ar
ticle on Schleswig- Holstein was just print
ed, when the London correspondent
OF the Gasctte confirms our statement
fully, that this war on Denmark is for
nothing but to sustain the old privi-
leges OF the nOblesse. The German Diet
grasps at the shadow instead of the SUBJ
0tance, and they meet with the natural result.
The bone is carried off by bigger dog
And what is to come Of it? No mortal
can tell because there is no principle in
Europe applicable to the case. Their whole
political system is o vast cOnglomerate,
made up of shells, sand, lime and rubbish,
ready to fall to pieces at the least shock.
England can stop the war if she takes an
instant and decided stand, but she will hes
itate till the mischief is done. Sweden will
join Denmark. and finally Russia, and the
Goth will do what he has done before
drive back his invaders in confusion. It
. mistake to suppose England has no in
tereet in this question. She has very great
interests, both political and commercial.
She ought To put her navy in the Danish
waters at once, and let Europe know that
the integrity OF the Northern nations shall
be preserved. Some one will say, what will
France do? France can do nothing with
any effect. IT she were clear Of Mexico.
perhaps she might; but Mexico is q great
whirlpool in which France is involved.
without any clear way to get out.
What then will come of all this mass of
complex and insOluble problems? As we