The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-19
The European Question in Revolution
airy Point OF View.
From the Herald.

aTY Point OF Wow
From the Herald
The cause of republicanism In Europe has un.
questionably much to gain from the war which
IS now impending. Its progress had been i'm
peded by variety Of influences, among which
the most prominent we're the success of Napo-
Icons foreign and domestic policy, and the Re
bellion in this country. With the bunders
however, committed by the Emperor in connec.
ton with Mexico, and the triumph Of our Gov
eminent over the dangers by which it was
assailed the hopes of the European republicans
began to revive. In the results of the one they
found ground for the belief that the popular
prestige of Napoleon had become weakened,
while in the other they obtained practical de-
monstraton of the force and value OF the prnCi-
Piles to which they attach their faith.
Unquestionably the magnificent spectacle of
courage, hopefulness, and resolution presented
by the American people throughout the late
struggle won them many admirers outside OF
the republican ranks but without success it
would have failed TO have gained them as con-
verts. In proportion to the magnitude OF that
success has been the effect of the reaction.
Those who were partisans OF monarcbical forms,
as Offering the only sure guarantees OF stability,
have had their faith shaken, while those who
were wagering between the two systems have
frankly gone over to the republican What,
therefore, at one time seemed destined to dis
courage and suspend the progress OF democratic
ideas in Europe has, in reality, given them an
impetus which quarter OF century OF quiet
working would have failed to impart to them.
In the war which is about to commence re.
publlcanlsm hnds fresh grounds for hopeiuness
and rejoicing. With suicidal blinoness the Gov.
ernments which are its most formidable OBJ
stacles are rushing on TO their destruction. The
magnitude OF their armaments, 50 far from being
q source OF discouragemeLt, Is, ID reality, that
on which the European democracy places most
dependence for the success OF Its aspirations
Its leaders know that so long as the theory of
the balance of power is adhered to and main
tanned, there will be but little chance for the
success OF their schemes. Let 1T be disturbed or
broken up, and they Will begin to make their
power felt. Already we see in Italy and in
Hungary the republican element appealed to for
support. Let the European democrats only be
true to the cause and refuse TO allow themselves
TO be made use of by distressed despotisms, and
they will by-and-by have the game in their own
hands
During the war their attitude should be one
simply OF preparation and watchtulness. 1t is
when the period of exhaustion sets in after q
prolonged and desperate struggle that they can
best attain their eLds. All the Governments OF
Europe, constitutional as well as despotic, are
trembling at the prospect that awaits them.
Staggering under a weight of debt that has
become intolerable to their people, the enor-
nous additions that will be made to it bv the
cost of a general war will bring them into con-
dition OF hopeless bankruptcy, and in its train,
as we all know, follows revolution.
England flatters herself that she may escape
these dangers, but it is doubtful. In abdicating
her functions as a frst-class power, and refusing
to take her share in an effort to maintain the
public peace, she invites and will unquesCiona-
bly, provoke aggression. The pusilanimous
course she is pursuing has been prompted by the
selfish fears OF her aristocracy. They arc appre.
hensive that any further addition to debt
which keeps tbree-fourths Of her population in
a condition bordering on paupersm will bring
about revolution, and consequent loss of their
privileges One would suppose that, moved by
such fears, they would be disposed, by relaXa-
ton of the restrictions in the elective franchise,
TO conciliate, as far as possible, the goodwill of
the masses. With blindness only equal to that
which is impelling the European despots into
suicidal struggle, they refuse to concede to the
people, whom they fear, the moderate conces-
siOns which they ask. 1t is needless for us TO
dwell on the results of such an infatuated policy.
Suffice it TO say that it will serve to hasten the
sacrifices which they would postpone. Let
Great Britain become involved in these compli-
cations-an event almost certain-and her con-
diton at home Will be anything but secure.
With Ireland possessing the elements Of formi-
dable insurectionary organization, with the
English working classes disconteuted and en-
ragged at the defeat OF their demands for an eX-
tension of the franchise, and with Canada calling
loudly for protection against Fenan raids, she
will not find her people disposed to put up much
longer with a system OF government which
neither assures respect abroad nor happiness or
security at home. OF all the countries of Europe
there is not one, perhaps, that is ripper for revo-
luton than England. She might escape it by
the prudence and generosity of her ruling
classes; but, judging from their course on the
Reform bill and the Irish Church question, we
are justified in saying that she will. in all pro-
babiity, take the lead in the vital political
changes which the approaching war is likely to
bring about.