Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-10-12
EUROPE FOLLOWS AMERICA.

1t is seldom that American institutions
are appreciated and defended by English
philosophical writer's. There is a marked
contrast in this regard between the political
philosophers of the European continent and
those of England Some of the first Euro
pean minds of the present century have been
directed seriously toward us, and have
reached coRclusions favorable to the truth
of those principles which we were the first
to establish, or at least the first to exemplify
with success.
The best essay on government which has
proceeded from French Ien for half cen
tury, was the result of careful contempla-
ton of the American system, matured by
deep thought. De TocqueYille opened
new light upon the western republic He
unquestionably startled Europe; but all Eu-
rope could not answer him, and shrank from
attempting it. By defending, with a per-
spicacity and soundness never excelled, prin-
ciples almost universally unpopular, princi-
pies detested by the powerful and scarcely
known to the weak, he established an envia-
bic reputation, and was sought for as near
l1-s,slssr, e. 'iglsRuY vvIIOIs VI Hls
countrymen have pursued the subject, until
it may be concluded that the French phi
losophical school is now arrayed on our side.
Gasparin has dealt with the topic in man
ner such as has won him a place beside De
Tocaueville Guizot, perhaps the best filled
and best arranged mind In the France of to-
day, is known to have given his approval,
Orleanist as he is, To many of the vital prin-
ciples of this republic Theirs has eyinced
his tendency toward US by many brilliant
sentences in the History of the Consulate
and Empire And more lately. Laboulaye
member of the Institute Of France, has pub
ii, he'd volume of essays, putting himself
on the record in favor of free institutions
without eouiyocation: IL, Etat ct ses
Limites. Suivi L. Essais politiques par E.
Laboulaye. membre de Institut. Paris
Charpentier.
The most recent work which marks the
liberial philosophy of France, and the ten
dency of that school toward republican insti-
tutions, is volume on education l.. Eeole)
from the able pen of NJ Jules Simon.
This essayist seems to have grasped his sub
iect with an intelligence which rivals that of
De Tocqueville. There is abundant evi-
dence that, like De Tocqueville, he has had
before his eyes the example of the United
States, and has clearly discerned in general
education the reason why our republle has
been successfully maintained, 1t is hardly
too much to say that Simon is the first
Frenchman who has perceived clearly that
it was the want of educational institutions IN
France that has stigmatised her revolutions
and that it is the presence OF such instltu-
tions that has given our government q
strength consistent both with security and
liberty. With the enthusiasm Of jealous
devotee of intelligent liberty he urgently de-
mands reform in the educational system of
France, and points with just indignation to
the fact that public moneys, which should
be devoted to the intellectual elevation of
the masses, are spent in luxuries useless to
all, and from which the poorer classes are
debarred.
1t is evident that these works, following
each other in rapid sucoossion, and not re
futod by the iutellects which concede alle-
glance to the Napoleenic idea, are turning
the thoughts of intelligent Frenchmen in
the right direction and it is not presump-
tuous to predict that the time is not far dis
tant when the Empire viii be forced to con-
cede education and political freedom to
France, or follow to obliteration the already
dead dynasties upon whose ruins it has rear
ed itself.
Several well known German writers, espe-
cially in the kingdom of Prussia, have taken
firm ground in behalf of the principles Of
popular liberty, and the dissemination OF
German histories of our late struggle viii do
much to conduct public opinion into tb e
right channels. A history of the Causes
of the Civil War in America is about to
appear, from the pen of Professor Fredrick
Neumann William the Second and Bis
marck have now quite sufficiently taxed the
patience of the good natuTed Fatherland.
1t is quite needless to revert to the appre-
citation in which our example is held by in
telIigent Italians. Cavour taught Italy to
regard the institutions of America with
veneration, and to draw practical lessons
from our example The whole spirit of the
new kingdom is liberal; and the intelligent
thought Of Italy is in advance Of its govern
ment. Thus everywhere is diseernible the
healthy influence Of intellectual activity in
Europe not the morbid ideas of the eigh-
teenth century, but the calm and lucid com
prehension of the nineteenth. Was it ever
more clear than at present, that America
emerging triumphantly from war against
her unity and liberty, is the pioneer of pro
gress to all the World?- Ereaiag Post.