The weekly union record., 1865-04-01
THE union RECORD.
OROvILLE. SATURDAY. APRIL /.
What it Costs Europe to keep the Peace.

The Paris Steele discloses what it costs the
jealous nations of Europe TO maintain facii
tious peace-a peace which is only kept by
enormous outlays for the appliances OF war,
and which would be instantaneously changed
10 war should it be discovered that one Of the
powers had failed to maintain the equilibrium
The Steele says:
In spite of the assurances which are given
to US on the maintenance of peace, IT Is difficult
to close ones eyes upon the feelings which
animate the governments one toward another
Distrust is the rule Of conduct. Not one Of
them thinks cf attacking his neighbor, but all
arm themselves for defense.
The misfortune is that defensive sFmaments
cost as much as offensive armaments, and as
the expenses which result from these sarlike
precautions weigh heavily upon the people, |
would not be surprised to find out that they
should desire war through love for peace
The peace that We enjoy, this armed peace,
costing annually four or flee thousand millions
of francs 10 Europe, resembles war so much
that q good war, which would lead to a solid
peace, TO a disarmed peace, would certainly be
preferable
"a
Bervousy grasps its arms, momentarily expect
ing an offensive movement from the other, Is
certainly not of similar nature TO that proph-
esed as to come, in which 1.-The lion and the
lamb shall lie down together" The rebukes
administered by these "peaceable" European
powers TO the American people for waging the
present bloody war, sound strangely when read
10 connection with disclosures ike the above.
When it is remembered, too, that most OF these
European powers have had a taste Of war in
the last decade, and that little disturbances"
in Denmark, in the past year, proved that at
least one rotten" plank existed 10 heir 'peace
platform" the above erpose demonstrates, that.
instead of being in that condition in which all
would acquiesce in disarmed peace from
sheer exhaustion, they have only sharpened
their appe,ites and swords and are "eager for
the fray" to be inaugurated on scale OF
greater magnitude than has been witnessed in
modern times. Their desire that our Govern
ment may patch up peace with the rebels on
the basis of their independence is thus easily
accounted for. Such peace in the United
States would be but the commencement Of civil
war in this country, and would rid the mon
arches Of Europe Of an ugly customer when
their day OF trial comes. The United States
is the beacon star of universal liberty, and once
out Of its orbit, the hopes of the lovers of free
dom throughout the world are blasted and the
assumed right of the few to rule the many
again becomes absolute. But the hopes of the
European rulers will not be realized; the
Government of the United States will not be
destroyed, aud republicanism in Europe and
America will not perish or be crushed out.
And the rebellion will receive its quietus in
time to allow Uncle Sam TO assist the powers
Of Europe in their very laudable work of
bringing about a "dsarmed peace" at the
same time that our country will be blessed
with peace of the same excellent quality.