The Portland daily press., 1866-05-09
Europe Follows America.

full and discerning of the friends of the right
among us were able to comfort and encourage
themselves with the reflection that hard
though the struggle might be, the triumph
which they believed sure to come would inev-
itably place this country of their love in the
foremost position among the nations OF the
earth, and give to the ideas Of which she is
the exponent and the champion, power
which opposing institutions would be unable
to resist. Of the correctness of this convic-
ton the events of the day furnish abundant
evidence. One signal illustration of its truth,
and also of the degree to which the recent ex-
hibition afforded by US of the strength and
stability of republican institutions is leaven-
ing the great mass of European absolutism,
may be observed in the conduct of Austria
and Prussia in the present crisis of their at
fairs. Both these great powers have found it
necessary, before going to war, to appeal to
the people for approval and support. They
have seemed engaged in rivalry as to which
should achieve the more democratic position.
But the people are not satisfied with the
grounds Of conflict. They know very well
that no great and worthy national end is to be
gained by fighting, that it is only Peachum
and Lockit qua1eling over the division of the
Schleswig- Holstein booty, and they are not
willing to be plunged into all the horrors of
war for such cause. So they have called
meetings, sent delegations, and passed resolu-
tons earnestly deprecating any outbreak of
hostilitics as uncalled-for, and sure to be ca
lamitous. In Prussia, especially, thousands of
persons took part in these demonstrations,
and the following is a specimen of the resolu-
tons adopted:
An Austro-Prussianw war on account of Schles-
wig Hoistein would be all the more uniustifia-
Bile, iysdsnluch as no attempt has been made to
so!0e eelstang difficulties ,ch the cooperation Of
the Sch,eSW5g- AoLStein people. Those difficult
ties would never have arisen had not the PruS-
sian government, contrary to the advice given
by the Prussian Parliament, refused to act in
concert with the liberal party, and to carry out
the liberal programme in the Duchies instead
of leaa uing with Austria.
Wti.e ths PraSSSGR government does not re-
spect the constitutional liberties, nor enjoy the
confidence Of the PruSSian people, 1t is utteriyla
cdpdcitcted from l,ljng me German mission Of
Prussia the mission vi ehecting federal re-
form aud establishing a more centralized gov
ernmen5.
These are bold words; and it can hardly be
possible that the energetic utterance of such
sentiments on the part Of the people has not
had Its effect in moderating the tone of the
two governments, and bringing about the
present more pacific aspect Of affairs. But
when we consider the very trifing weight
which the viii Of the people formerly had in
adjusting the balance of any question be-
tween kings and enperors, it is plain that an
astonishing advance has been made.
IL. de Montalembert, one of the most subtle
thinkers as well as the most brilliant writers
in France, published last year an essay upon
the issue of our war, and its probable effect
upon the political condition of Europe, giving
til his opinion that modern society is "irre-
vocably democraczed." Himself Catholic
In faith and an aristocrat by birth, he has new
er been the advocate of republican ideas nay,
he acknowledges that their approaching and
certain triumph is to him, in many respects, a
source Of regret; nevertheless as an intelligent
observer he cannot ignore facts which are APP
parent to all, and as a candid man he is COM
PEELED to admit the triumph of a party whose
success he has not desired, and with whose
ideas he does not sympathize. Do not the
facts above noted show that he had good
ground for his conclusions?
In England, too, snarling old Thomas Car
lyle, the devoutest worshipper of absolute DOW
er to be found in all Europe, several years ago
declared his conviction that if the United
States should succeed in putting down the re-
bsllion, England would Ego to democracy by
express train" The rebellion aoas put down;
and the question which agitates all England
now is the question of the enlargement ofthe
franchise. We might continue to multiply ev
licences, but they are not needed to show that
in the great march of the nations toward
better and higher civilization, America is
leading the vanguard. 1t is well to remember
however, that this proud position she has at
tanned through her efficient championship of
the most advanced ideas. She has asserted
and demonstrated-that freedom is stronger
than tyranny, that intelligence is less danger
Gus than ignorance, that no laws are SO prompt
ly obeyed as those which men make them
selves. Those theories of republicanism which
used to be stis1natized as Utopian dreams she
has made actual, furnishing to the world tbe
most splendid illustration of their practical
utility. And only by continuing thus to main
tain and to illustrate the highest idea of liber-
ty, the purest principles ofjustce, can she con-
tinue to hold her foremost place. Ii misled by
any delusive idea of "expediency" she shall be
rash enough to turn back upon her course, to
lose sight of the great promise of the future,
and take council of those who are welded to
the old worn out theories and prejudices of
the past, she will find her supremacy gone
Other nations which have learned the secret
OF her success will take up the standard she
lays down, and rush in before her. Nothing
stands still in these days, and it is with ma
tons as with individuals, only By untirinp eff
fort can prominence be won or kept.
rrrr. n T..